Cricket Scorecard

Steven Smith comes up for a quick chat. The Aussie says it is not easy to face the balls which were landing on a good length, some were skidding through and some were staying low. Adds there was turn with the old ball and it got slower. Mentions they were looking for something around 140-150 but they are a little short. Feels that they have been bowling well and if they can manage a few early wickets, they can then squeeze and build the pressure.

... RUN CHASE ...

Tim Southee to Kagiso Rabada, ! RUN OUT! And Delhi finish without hitting a single six in their innings! Slower ball, outside off. Kagiso Rabada looks to slog but he misses. The batters look to sneak in a bye but Dinesh Karthik is alert behind the sticks as he has a shy at his end. Avesh Khan is short of his crease and he sacrifices his wicket on the last ball of the innings. Delhi end with 127/9.

Right then, it's Sharjah and no sixes were scored. Isn't it strange? That tells you the story about the surface. Punjab defended 125 a few days back, can Delhi do the same? We will find out shortly.

It's a sluggish pitch, extremely tough for stroke-making. Delhi didn't get the momentum going into their innings. Steven Smith was the set batsman but he too struggled to score freely and after his departure, it was a steady fall of wickets for Delhi. Rishabh Pant spent time in the middle but he too found it tough to cut loose and play his trademark big shots. His partnership though with Ravichandran Ashwin was critical as that has given Delhi at least a fighting total on the board. For Kolkat

A disciplined bowling show by Kolkata! They maintained a firm grip on the scoring rate inside the Powerplay and then their spinners choked the flow of runs in the middle overs. Delhi tried to up the scoring rate in the end overs but didn't succeed mainly due to the regular fall of wickets.

Avesh Khan walks out to bat!

Tim Southee to Avesh Khan, Slower ball, on a length, around middle. Avesh Khan hits it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

Tim Southee to Avesh Khan, ! ! Shubman Gill has dropped a sitter at deep mid-wicket. Length ball, around off. Avesh Khan heaves it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. Shubman Gill there, settles under it but he makes a mess of it and the ball goes into the fence.

Tim Southee to Avesh Khan, Play and a miss! Length ball, outside off. Avesh Khan swings hard but he misses.

Pant is a goner! An appeal for a run out is taken upstairs but Pant seems short.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, ! RUN OUT! Oh, no! Delhi's skipper has to walk back now! Full ball, around off. Rishabh Pant drags it to deep mid-wicket. He charges for the second run. Karun Nair (sub) is there in the deep who runs across and throws it back to Dinesh Karthik who whips the bails off in a flash. Rishabh Pant is well short of his crease in the replays and he departs.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, Wide! Southee spills this one down leg. Pant shuffles across late to whip it but he leaves it in the end. Wide called by the umpire.

Kagiso Rabada walks out to bat now.

Tim Southee to Ravichandran Ashwin, ! TAKEN! Ravichandran Ashwin departs! A slower ball, on a length, outside off. Ravichandran Ashwin looks to pull but he miscues it in the air towards deep square leg. Nitish Rana runs forward and takes an easy catch. A heated conversation between Southee and Ashwin. Verbal volleys thrown. Dinesh Karthik intervenes and calms down Ashwin. Maybe, the talk was regarding that extra run which Delhi took on the last ball after it deflected off Pant's bod

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, A yorker, around off. Rishabh Pant digs it out to point. The batsmen cross as the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end. It deflects off Pant's body and they collect another run.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Full ball, on off. Rishabh Pant drills it to long on and Ravichandran Ashwin looks to take another run. The throw comes in to Venkatesh Iyer but he fails to collect it cleanly and Ashwin survives.

Venkatesh Iyer to Ravichandran Ashwin, Length ball, on off, Ravichandran Ashwin lofts it to long on, on the bounce. Ben Cutting (sub) comes running in and keeps it to one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Full-length ball, on leg. Rishabh Pant drags it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Rishabh Pant has now surpassed Virender Sehwag to become the leading run-scorer for Delhi in the Indian T20 League.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, A yorker, around off. Rishabh Pant digs it out back to the bowler.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, ! A juicy full toss, on off, Rishabh Pant drills it to the right of long off. Ben Cutting (sub for Lockie Ferguson) fumbles and concedes a boundary.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, Full-length ball, on middle. Rishabh Pant drags his heave wide of long on for a single.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, ! Finally, he gets hold of this one! Full ball, outside off. Rishabh Pant clears his front leg and carves it over extra cover for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Ravichandran Ashwin, Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Ravichandran Ashwin punches it to deep cover for a run.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, A yorker-length ball, on off. Rishabh Pant digs it out to the right of Tim Southee who runs and keeps it to one.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, Full ball, outside off. Pant gets low and looks to reverse-paddle Southee over short third man but he fails to get any bat on it.

Tim Southee to Ravichandran Ashwin, Good-length ball, on leg. Ravichandran Ashwin turns it to deep square leg for one.

Tim Southee is back!

Is there an edge? Karthik and Varun are pretty confident with their appeal but the umpire turns it down. They convince their skipper to take the review and Morgan does so.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, NOT ! Flatter and quicker, outside off. Pant stays back to cut but he misses. Varun Chakravarthy and Dinesh Karthik think that Pant has nicked it and they ask Morgan to take the review! The UltraEdge shows that there was no bat involved and Rishabh Pant is safe. Kolkata lose their review.

Varun Chakravarthy to Ravichandran Ashwin, Flatter ball, on off. Ravichandran Ashwin stays back and works it to long on for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Tossed up, on off. Rishabh Pant plays the reverse sweep but he finds the deep point fielder. A single taken.

Varun Chakravarthy to Ravichandran Ashwin, Leg bye! Delhi bring up their 100! Flatter ball, on leg. Ashwin misses his nudge and the ball rolls away. They sneak in a leg bye! 

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Off the edge but only a run! Pant comes down the track but Varun shortens the length. Pant still swings but the ball spins away a touch. It goes off the outside edge towards short third man for one.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, What happened there? Looked funny but that could have been dangerous. Tossed up, outside off. Rishabh Pant looks to smash it across the line but only manages to get it away off the toe end of the bat. It drops near the popping crease and rolls behind. Dinesh Karthik walks forward a bit as Pant swings his bat behind to stop the ball from going to the stumps. DK has a narrow escape as Pant's bat missed the grill of Karthik's helmet by a whisker. Both the

Bowling change. Varun Chakravarthy has replaced Narine from this end. 3-0-19-2 are his figures thus far.

Venkatesh Iyer to Ravichandran Ashwin, ! A welcome boundary for Delhi, courtesy of some clever batting from Ashwin. Back of a length, around off. Ashwin stays back and just runs it down late. Tim Southee at short third man dives to his left but the ball goes past him and into the fence.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Full ball, outside off. Rishabh Pant drags it to long on for a single. 

Venkatesh Iyer to Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashwin is off the mark! Good-length ball, on off. Ashwin taps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Venkatesh Iyer to Axar Patel, ! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust! Delhi are in deep trouble now! Full ball, around middle and leg. Axar Patel looks to whip it on the leg side but he hits it straight to Lockie Ferguson at mid-wicket who takes a good catch, diving across to his left. Venkatesh Iyer has two wickets now, impressing with the ball as well.

Ravichandran Ashwin walks out to bat now!

Venkatesh Iyer to Axar Patel, Wide! Too wide and full, outside off. Axar leaves it alone. Wided!

Venkatesh Iyer to Axar Patel, Well bowled! A yorker-length ball, on off. Axar Patel digs it out back to the bowler.

Venkatesh Iyer to Axar Patel, Wide! Venkatesh Iyer sprays it down leg. Axar Patel lets it be. Wide called by the umpire.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Full ball, around off. Pant gets low and whips it to deep square leg for just a single.

Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Make that 5 dots! Just a run and a wicket from Narine's last! End of a brilliant spell from him. 4-0-18-2 are his figures. On off, quicker, this is pushed to covers.

Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Make that 4 dots in a row! Outside off, Patel guides it to point.

Axar Patel is the new man in.

Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, On the pads, Patel works it towards mid-wicket for no runs.

Sunil Narine to Lalit Yadav, ! LBW! That was as plumb as it gets! Lalit Yadav was in fact walking off even before the finger was raised. Brilliant from Narine. The last one spun away, this time he lands it on off and gets it to skid on straight from there. Yadav looks to work it on the leg side but misses and then gets hit on the pads. An appeal and the finger is raised. Half the side back in the hut for Delhi even before the 15th over is completed.

Strategic Time-Out! This has been a good comeback from Kolkata's bowlers. Just when Rishabh Pant and Steven Smith were looking to up the ante, Morgan gave the ball to Lockie Ferguson and he got the breakthrough by castling Smith. Venkatesh Iyer has bowled well too and it will be interesting to see how Morgan uses his bowlers at the fag end of the innings. Sunil Narine comes back to bowl his last over now.

Sunil Narine to Lalit Yadav, That is a beauty! Yadav had no idea where this one was spinning! It lands on off and then spins away. Yadav looks to defend but is beaten.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Tossed up outside off, it is dragged through mid-wicket for one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Lalit Yadav, Good length and on off, Yadav solidly defends it. So that is a tremendous comeback after going for a boundary earlier on in the over.

Lalit Yadav walks out to bat.

Venkatesh Iyer to Shimron Hetmyer, ! TAKEN! The dangerous Hetmyer walks back without hurting Kolkata! So what seemed like a risky move on the very first ball of this over has turned out to be a masterstroke. We all saw in Delhi's last game how Hetmyer can hit it long but he does not last for long in the middle this time. This was there to be hit though. On a length and outside off, at 127.4 kph, Hetmyer slaps it down the ground but does not get the desired elevation and holes out to Sou

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Just the one again! A low full toss on the pads, Pant swings, he gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side. A single taken.

Venkatesh Iyer to Shimron Hetmyer, Just the one! On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Pant wants two but it is only one. Fuller and on middle, Pant swings, it goes more off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs in quickly and keeps it down to one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, ! Just over! Welcome boundary! Not sure if this is the right move. He did bowl a good first over but a second over was always going to be a risk and it has not started well. Full and outside off, Pant looks to go over covers and bags a boundary. Can this break the shackles for Delhi?

Lockie Ferguson to Rishabh Pant, Bowls the wide yorker, Pant jams it through covers for one. Back-to-back excellent overs for Kolkata.

Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Just the one this time! Outside off, this is guided through backward point for one.

Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Goes fuller and on off, Hetmyer drives it nicely but to covers.

Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Two more and Hetmyer is off the mark! Outside off, he guides it through point for a couple of runs.

Shimron Hetmyer is the new man in.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith, ! TIMBER! The well-set Steven Smith is now a goner! The seam-up ball does the trick for Ferguson. Brilliant. The last one was really slow and this one is nice and fast. It is on a length and angling into the batsman. Smith swings across the line but gets an inside edge onto the leg pole. Timely wicket as Delhi would have wanted to up the ante now. Ferguson gets his second. He has been really good so far.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Goes fuller again and just outside off, this is guided to point for only one.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith, Smith is down! That might have hurt! Smith looks to play the paddle scoop by shuffling right outside off. Ferguson bowls a clever slower dipping full toss. It goes off the under-edge and then hits Smith near the box. He takes a moment for himself and rightly so. Seems fine now.

Lockie Ferguson (1-0-6-1) is back on.

Abhishek Nayar, from the Kolkata camp, is up for a chat! Shares that they are happy with the start and the talk during the break was to restrict Delhi under 150 on this sluggish track. Mentions that it's a new season and they were trying to play a different brand of cricket. Regarding their choice to play Tim Southee ahead of Shakib Al Hasan, Nayar replies that Sharjah being a smaller ground, playing with three spinners would not have been a good idea plus with Russell not playing, they want

Venkatesh Iyer to Steven Smith, He does, just the 4 runs from the over. A low full toss on middle, this is whipped through mid-wicket for one. Morgan will be delighted with that effort.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, 3 from 5 now! Seam-up delivery angled into the pads, Pant swings but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side for one. Leg bye. Can Venkatesh Iyer end it well?

Venkatesh Iyer to Steven Smith, Just the two from the first 4 balls! Another slower one outside off, Smith gently strokes it through covers for one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Steven Smith, Really good from Iyer! This is a yorker-length ball outside off, it is guided to point. Another dot.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Big confusion but safe! A good slower one to begin with. Pant does not pick it, he is way too early in the swing, it goes off the inner half towards short fine leg. Narine makes a tumbling stop. Smith is halfway down the track but is sent back. Narine realized late where he needed to throw it and hence, Smith makes it back in.

Venkatesh Iyer comes into the attack.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, That is really good from Narine! On middle, Pant works it towards mid-wicket. The batters run the first one quickly. Narine too rushes towards the ball and keeps it to one. 21 runs after the break, Delhi showing better intent.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Yet another single! On middle, this is worked to square leg. A run is taken. Smith thought of a second but it was not on.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Angled into the middle pole, Pant works it through mid-wicket and takes one.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Now takes one as he works it through mid-wicket for one. Good batting.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, ! Finds the gap! Smith is getting a move on now. Slightly fuller this time and on middle, Smith plays the sweep, he hits it hard and wide of deep mid-wicket for another boundary. His third in the last 8 balls of the inninngs.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and on off, Pant pushes it down with the angle to long on for one.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Nicely tossed up, outside off. Steven Smith reaches out and taps it to backward point. A dot ball to finish a 12-run over.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, A tad short, outside off. Rishabh Pant hangs back and cuts it to sweeper cover for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Good running again, from these two! Floated, around leg. Rishabh Pant turns it wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a couple of runs.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Tossed up, on middle, Steven Smith whips it off his pads to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, ! Back-to-back boundaries! Flatter ball, outside off. Steven Smith rocks back and cuts it past point for a boundary. It seems that the message is clear to Smith, Delhi want him to score quickly.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, ! Nicely done! Varun strays on the pads. Smith tickles it towards fine leg for a boundary. The fielder at short fine dives to stop the ball but it beats him.

Strategic Time-Out! Really good from Kolkata so far! They have got two vital wickets and have not let Delhi score freely too. However, Delhi do have the depth in their batting so Kolkata will know they need to keep taking wickets. Delhi, on the other hand, need a partnership, also, they will want Smith to up the ante as he has been in the middle for a while now. They are in a tricky situation here and it will be interesting to see how they go about things.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Play and a miss! Narine serves a quicker ball, on a length, outside off. Rishabh Pant rocks back to cut but he misses.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Floated, around middle and leg. Steven Smith works it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Pant runs to take one more but is sent back by Smith.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Narine sees Smith advancing down the track, he drags his length back and serves a flatter ball, outside off. Smith tries to block it out but misses. He is struck on the pads, his second line of defense.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Tossed up, around off, Rishabh Pant looks to sweep but he miscues it behind square for a single.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, 50 up for Delhi! Flatter and around middle, Smith eases this one to long on for a run.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Excellent running! Tossed up, around middle. Steven Smith stays back and turns it wide of long on for a couple of runs.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Flatter and quicker, around middle, Steven Smith slogs it over mid-wicket. It goes on one bounce to the fielder again. 5 runs off the over!

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Nicely tossed up, outside off. Rishabh Pant gets down on one knee but mistimes his heave to long on, on the bounce. A single taken.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Flighted ball, down leg. Smith works it behind square to rotate the strike.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Varun errs in length and serves a full toss, on middle. Rishabh Pant works it to long on for one.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Flatter ball, on middle. Smith flicks it to deep square leg for an easy single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Tossed up, around off. Steven Smith presses forward and defends it to covers.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Quicker ball, on off. Pant defends it out watchfully off the back foot. Excellent over from Sunil Narine!

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and quicker, around off. Rishabh Pant stays back and blocks it out back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Loopy ball, on a length, around middle. Steven Smith whips it to the leg side to collect a run.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Flatter ball, on off. Rishabh Pant pushes it to covers for a single. He gets off the mark!

Rishabh Pant walks out to bat now!

Sunil Narine to Shreyas Iyer, ! BOWLED! Drift and turn, what a special delivery! The mystery spinner strikes straightaway! Huge wicket this for Kolkata as they get to see the back of Iyer early. Floated, outside off, turning in sharply. Iyer gets deceived by the turn and plays a nothing shot in the end. The ball sneaks through and crashes onto the stumps. Shreyas has a confused look on his face, he got comprehensively beaten there, was neither fully forward nor back enough to deal with t

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Narine starts with a flatter ball, on off. Steven Smith hangs back and works it to long on for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Flighted and outside off, Shreyas hits it firmly through the line but finds the point fielder. At the end of the Powerplay, Delhi are 39/1.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Quicker this time, a bit short and around leg at 100.4 kph, Smith pushes it to long on for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, The line drifts to outside off, Shreyas gets forward with an angled bat and pushes it towards cover-point for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Loopy and on off, fuller in length again, Shreyas defends it to the off side.

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Wide! Wrong line from Varun Chakravarthy. A touch short but down the leg side, Iyer tries to pull but misses. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Full and floated on off, Shreyas presses forward and pushes it to covers.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Tossed up, around off, Smith knocks it down to long on and takes a single.

Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat. Also, Varun Chakravarthy comes to bowl now.

Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Caught at point! Lockie Ferguson takes down the big fish. The Kiwi dishes out another short delivery, it's outside off at 141.9 kph, Dhawan throws his bat at it as he attempts to cut it through the line. He does that well but fails to keep it down. Venkatesh Iyer stretches his hands out to his left and takes an easy catch. A big blow to Delhi as their in-form batsman departs.

Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Play and a miss! Pacy delivery. A touch short and outside off at 144 kph, Dhawan stands back to hammer it through the line but misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Lockie switches 'round the wicket for the left-hander. Delivers it short and outside off, Dhawan cuts but finds the point fielder.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith, On a length, around off, Smith walks across and works it behind square leg for a single.

Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack now.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith, ! Stylish! Ferguson angles in a length ball around off, Smith leans across a bit and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Fuller in length and outside off, Dhawan goes hard at it and inside-edges it towards mid-wicket. They cross for a quick run.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Short in length, wide outside off, Dhawan flat-bats it through backward point for a single.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, NOT ! Southee angles it in, on a length around middle, Dhawan stays back to work it across the line but misses. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal but the finger stays down. Morgan has a word with his players before taking the review. UltraEdge takes some time to load. It comes on eventually. No bat involved. Ball Tracker shows that it's clipping the top of the leg stump. Umpire's call.

Review time! Tim Southee thinks that he has got his man here so he has asked Eoin Morgan to opt for a review as Shikhar Dhawan has been struck on his pads.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan is looking in fine touch! He advances down the track to a length ball around off and spanks it past the cover fielder for a boundary. That went to the fence in a flash.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith, Fuller in length, around off, Smith flicks it firmly to deep square leg for a single.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Identical to the last delivery, short and a tad wide outside off, Dhawan cuts it to deep point for a single.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Play and a miss! Slightly short and outside off, Dhawan stays back to cut but fails to connect.

Sandeep Warrier to Steven Smith, Beaten on the drive! Excellent delivery from Sandeep. Lands it full and outside off, enticing the drive from Smith but it straightens to beat the outside edge. 10 from the over!

Sandeep Warrier to Steven Smith, Swing and a miss! There is no need for Smith to do this. On a length and outside off, Smith attempts for a cross-batted heave but fails to connect.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Smart batting. Two boundaries and now a single for Dhawan. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan plays it down towards point for a single.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, ! More runs, this one is a bit whippy from Dhawan. It's overpitched and around middle, Dhawan latches onto it and smacks it to the deep square leg fence.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Easy pickings! Operating from 'round the wicket angle, Warrier cannot afford to get too straight with his line. It's full and on middle, Dhawan uses the angle to his advantage and flicks it easily through mid-wicket.

Sandeep Warrier to Steven Smith, On a good length, around off, Smith tucks it through square leg and picks up a single.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Southee switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a length ball on off, Dhawan defends it from the crease. 

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Good stop! On a length around off, Dhawan shimmies down the track and smashes it down to mid off. The fielder there is alert and makes a fine stop.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, EDGY ! Southee angles across a delivery around off, on a fuller length, Dhawan tries to force it through the line but it takes the outer edge and runs wide of short third man for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith, Tap and run. Around off, on a length, Smith drops it down with soft hands to cover-point and pinches a single.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith, Another delivery, full, around middle, Smith helps it off his pads but finds the mid-wicket fielder.

Tim Southee will bowl from the other end.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith, Southee starts by angling in a full ball around off, Smith walks across and nudges it to the right of mid on for a couple of runs.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Fuller and around leg, Dhawan bunts it down towards mid on. Smith looks for a run but it's a big no from Dhawan. 5 coming from the opening over!

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan is off the mark. Sandeep Warrier serves a friendly full toss on middle, Dhawan is not going to miss out on that. He picks it up, uses his wrists well and places his shot behind square leg for a boundary, first of the match.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Sandeep Warrier goes fuller this time, it's on middle and Dhawan drives it back to the bowler.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Short again, this time outside off, Dhawan rocks back to cut but fails to middle his shot. It takes the bottom half of the blade and rolls behind point. The slip fielder rushes ahead to pick up the ball.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Back of a length, around leg, Dhawan tries to work it around but misses. It takes his thigh pad and falls near the pitch. Smith eyes a leg bye but is sent back.

Sandeep Warrier to Steven Smith, Trademark shuffle across the stumps from Steven Smith. He works a fuller delivery behind square leg and opens his account with a single.

We are all set for the game to begin! The players of Kolkata have made their way out to the middle. Shikhar Dhawan has a new opening partner in Steven Smith for this fixture and both of them are at the crease! Sandeep Warrier will start with the ball for Kolkata. Here we go...

Toss - Rishabh Pant and Eoin Morgan are in the middle. The latter flips the coin, Pant calls incorrectly and KOLKATA ELECT TO BOWL!

Sunil Narine, the mystery spinner, comes up for a quick chat. Says that they need to deal with pressure much better and close out the games smartly. Feels that the team which will bowl well today will win the game as it is a smaller ground. Tells that he and Varun Chakravarthy have a chat before and also during the game regarding the batters and how they should bowl to them.

Delhi (Playing XI) - Steven Smith (In for Prithvi Shaw), Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan.

Eoin Morgan, the captain of Kolkata, says he is not sure how the wicket will play, it does not look like a belter and hence, he wants to bowl. Shares that he was playing golf yesterday and celebrated Brendon McCullum's birthday. Tells that as a team they are very focused on playing one game at a time. Mentions that they have played some good cricket in the second phase and he hopes this continues and they can slowly move up the ladder. Informs they have two changes, Andre Russel misses out and

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakaravarthy, Tim Southee (In for Andre Russell), Sandeep Warrier (In for Prasidh Krishna).

Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Delhi, says that they were looking to bat first anyway as they don't know how the pitch will behave. He feels the wicket is slow and 150-160 should be a good score. Adds they want to take one game at a time and he hopes they can do well. Mentions they want to win this one and ensure qualification. Informs that Prithvi Shaw is injured and Steven Smith will replace him in the XI.

... MATCH DAY ...

A warm welcome to everyone for the coverage. It's going to be a tasty Tuesday with two games lined up. We're here for Match 41 between Delhi and Kolkata with the former having one leg in the playoffs and the latter still caught in the middle muddle. Both teams have been in great form since resumption and we can expect a close game in Sharjah. 

Over the years, Kolkata used to dominate this fixture and it's evident in the head-to-head battle as well. But Delhi have started to respond now and have won 5 out of their last six games against Kolkata. On current form, Delhi can be counted as favourites but Kolkata have the ability to take them down. Who will win this bout?

Pitch report - Matthew Hayden is near the surface. The Aussie starts by saying that the wicket has been usually slow and the batters have struggled. Adds that the surface does not have a lot of grass and the bowlers opt for cross-seam deliveries which cause problems for the batsmen. Hayden feels that as a batting team you need to make the most of the Powerplay.

Update - Tim Southee is all set to make his Indian T20 League debut for Kolkata. The Kiwi has previously represented Chennai, Rajasthan, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Kagiso Rabada comes up for a quick chat! The speedster starts by saying that they are in the best possible space and playing well as a team. Adds that they are looking to continue with this winning run as far as possible. On his role, Rabada replies that he is mentally prepared to do anything and nothing is taken for granted in this team. Tells that he is ready to bowl and ready to adapt to any situation. Regarding Anrich Nortje, Rabada tells that he plays with him for South Africa as well and

Update - Andre Russell is expected to miss this match after suffering a hamstring injury. Big blow to Kolkata in both the departments. Ben Cutting appears to be the likeliest replacement for the big West Indian.

Steven Smith comes up for a quick chat. The Aussie says it is not easy to face the balls which were landing on a good length, some were skidding through and some were staying low. Adds there was turn with the old ball and it got slower. Mentions they were looking for something around 140-150 but they are a little short. Feels that they have been bowling well and if they can manage a few early wickets, they can then squeeze and build the pressure.

... RUN CHASE ...

Tim Southee to Kagiso Rabada, ! RUN OUT! And Delhi finish without hitting a single six in their innings! Slower ball, outside off. Kagiso Rabada looks to slog but he misses. The batters look to sneak in a bye but Dinesh Karthik is alert behind the sticks as he has a shy at his end. Avesh Khan is short of his crease and he sacrifices his wicket on the last ball of the innings. Delhi end with 127/9.

Right then, it's Sharjah and no sixes were scored. Isn't it strange? That tells you the story about the surface. Punjab defended 125 a few days back, can Delhi do the same? We will find out shortly.

It's a sluggish pitch, extremely tough for stroke-making. Delhi didn't get the momentum going into their innings. Steven Smith was the set batsman but he too struggled to score freely and after his departure, it was a steady fall of wickets for Delhi. Rishabh Pant spent time in the middle but he too found it tough to cut loose and play his trademark big shots. His partnership though with Ravichandran Ashwin was critical as that has given Delhi at least a fighting total on the board. For Kolkat

A disciplined bowling show by Kolkata! They maintained a firm grip on the scoring rate inside the Powerplay and then their spinners choked the flow of runs in the middle overs. Delhi tried to up the scoring rate in the end overs but didn't succeed mainly due to the regular fall of wickets.

Avesh Khan walks out to bat!

Tim Southee to Avesh Khan, Slower ball, on a length, around middle. Avesh Khan hits it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

Tim Southee to Avesh Khan, ! ! Shubman Gill has dropped a sitter at deep mid-wicket. Length ball, around off. Avesh Khan heaves it uppishly towards deep mid-wicket. Shubman Gill there, settles under it but he makes a mess of it and the ball goes into the fence.

Tim Southee to Avesh Khan, Play and a miss! Length ball, outside off. Avesh Khan swings hard but he misses.

Pant is a goner! An appeal for a run out is taken upstairs but Pant seems short.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, ! RUN OUT! Oh, no! Delhi's skipper has to walk back now! Full ball, around off. Rishabh Pant drags it to deep mid-wicket. He charges for the second run. Karun Nair (sub) is there in the deep who runs across and throws it back to Dinesh Karthik who whips the bails off in a flash. Rishabh Pant is well short of his crease in the replays and he departs.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, Wide! Southee spills this one down leg. Pant shuffles across late to whip it but he leaves it in the end. Wide called by the umpire.

Kagiso Rabada walks out to bat now.

Tim Southee to Ravichandran Ashwin, ! TAKEN! Ravichandran Ashwin departs! A slower ball, on a length, outside off. Ravichandran Ashwin looks to pull but he miscues it in the air towards deep square leg. Nitish Rana runs forward and takes an easy catch. A heated conversation between Southee and Ashwin. Verbal volleys thrown. Dinesh Karthik intervenes and calms down Ashwin. Maybe, the talk was regarding that extra run which Delhi took on the last ball after it deflected off Pant's bod

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, A yorker, around off. Rishabh Pant digs it out to point. The batsmen cross as the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end. It deflects off Pant's body and they collect another run.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Full ball, on off. Rishabh Pant drills it to long on and Ravichandran Ashwin looks to take another run. The throw comes in to Venkatesh Iyer but he fails to collect it cleanly and Ashwin survives.

Venkatesh Iyer to Ravichandran Ashwin, Length ball, on off, Ravichandran Ashwin lofts it to long on, on the bounce. Ben Cutting (sub) comes running in and keeps it to one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Full-length ball, on leg. Rishabh Pant drags it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Rishabh Pant has now surpassed Virender Sehwag to become the leading run-scorer for Delhi in the Indian T20 League.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, A yorker, around off. Rishabh Pant digs it out back to the bowler.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, ! A juicy full toss, on off, Rishabh Pant drills it to the right of long off. Ben Cutting (sub for Lockie Ferguson) fumbles and concedes a boundary.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, Full-length ball, on middle. Rishabh Pant drags his heave wide of long on for a single.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, ! Finally, he gets hold of this one! Full ball, outside off. Rishabh Pant clears his front leg and carves it over extra cover for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Ravichandran Ashwin, Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Ravichandran Ashwin punches it to deep cover for a run.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, A yorker-length ball, on off. Rishabh Pant digs it out to the right of Tim Southee who runs and keeps it to one.

Tim Southee to Rishabh Pant, Full ball, outside off. Pant gets low and looks to reverse-paddle Southee over short third man but he fails to get any bat on it.

Tim Southee to Ravichandran Ashwin, Good-length ball, on leg. Ravichandran Ashwin turns it to deep square leg for one.

Tim Southee is back!

Is there an edge? Karthik and Varun are pretty confident with their appeal but the umpire turns it down. They convince their skipper to take the review and Morgan does so.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, NOT ! Flatter and quicker, outside off. Pant stays back to cut but he misses. Varun Chakravarthy and Dinesh Karthik think that Pant has nicked it and they ask Morgan to take the review! The UltraEdge shows that there was no bat involved and Rishabh Pant is safe. Kolkata lose their review.

Varun Chakravarthy to Ravichandran Ashwin, Flatter ball, on off. Ravichandran Ashwin stays back and works it to long on for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Tossed up, on off. Rishabh Pant plays the reverse sweep but he finds the deep point fielder. A single taken.

Varun Chakravarthy to Ravichandran Ashwin, Leg bye! Delhi bring up their 100! Flatter ball, on leg. Ashwin misses his nudge and the ball rolls away. They sneak in a leg bye! 

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Off the edge but only a run! Pant comes down the track but Varun shortens the length. Pant still swings but the ball spins away a touch. It goes off the outside edge towards short third man for one.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, What happened there? Looked funny but that could have been dangerous. Tossed up, outside off. Rishabh Pant looks to smash it across the line but only manages to get it away off the toe end of the bat. It drops near the popping crease and rolls behind. Dinesh Karthik walks forward a bit as Pant swings his bat behind to stop the ball from going to the stumps. DK has a narrow escape as Pant's bat missed the grill of Karthik's helmet by a whisker. Both the

Bowling change. Varun Chakravarthy has replaced Narine from this end. 3-0-19-2 are his figures thus far.

Venkatesh Iyer to Ravichandran Ashwin, ! A welcome boundary for Delhi, courtesy of some clever batting from Ashwin. Back of a length, around off. Ashwin stays back and just runs it down late. Tim Southee at short third man dives to his left but the ball goes past him and into the fence.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Full ball, outside off. Rishabh Pant drags it to long on for a single. 

Venkatesh Iyer to Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashwin is off the mark! Good-length ball, on off. Ashwin taps it to sweeper cover for a run.

Venkatesh Iyer to Axar Patel, ! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust! Delhi are in deep trouble now! Full ball, around middle and leg. Axar Patel looks to whip it on the leg side but he hits it straight to Lockie Ferguson at mid-wicket who takes a good catch, diving across to his left. Venkatesh Iyer has two wickets now, impressing with the ball as well.

Ravichandran Ashwin walks out to bat now!

Venkatesh Iyer to Axar Patel, Wide! Too wide and full, outside off. Axar leaves it alone. Wided!

Venkatesh Iyer to Axar Patel, Well bowled! A yorker-length ball, on off. Axar Patel digs it out back to the bowler.

Venkatesh Iyer to Axar Patel, Wide! Venkatesh Iyer sprays it down leg. Axar Patel lets it be. Wide called by the umpire.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Full ball, around off. Pant gets low and whips it to deep square leg for just a single.

Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Make that 5 dots! Just a run and a wicket from Narine's last! End of a brilliant spell from him. 4-0-18-2 are his figures. On off, quicker, this is pushed to covers.

Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Make that 4 dots in a row! Outside off, Patel guides it to point.

Axar Patel is the new man in.

Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, On the pads, Patel works it towards mid-wicket for no runs.

Sunil Narine to Lalit Yadav, ! LBW! That was as plumb as it gets! Lalit Yadav was in fact walking off even before the finger was raised. Brilliant from Narine. The last one spun away, this time he lands it on off and gets it to skid on straight from there. Yadav looks to work it on the leg side but misses and then gets hit on the pads. An appeal and the finger is raised. Half the side back in the hut for Delhi even before the 15th over is completed.

Strategic Time-Out! This has been a good comeback from Kolkata's bowlers. Just when Rishabh Pant and Steven Smith were looking to up the ante, Morgan gave the ball to Lockie Ferguson and he got the breakthrough by castling Smith. Venkatesh Iyer has bowled well too and it will be interesting to see how Morgan uses his bowlers at the fag end of the innings. Sunil Narine comes back to bowl his last over now.

Sunil Narine to Lalit Yadav, That is a beauty! Yadav had no idea where this one was spinning! It lands on off and then spins away. Yadav looks to defend but is beaten.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Tossed up outside off, it is dragged through mid-wicket for one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Lalit Yadav, Good length and on off, Yadav solidly defends it. So that is a tremendous comeback after going for a boundary earlier on in the over.

Lalit Yadav walks out to bat.

Venkatesh Iyer to Shimron Hetmyer, ! TAKEN! The dangerous Hetmyer walks back without hurting Kolkata! So what seemed like a risky move on the very first ball of this over has turned out to be a masterstroke. We all saw in Delhi's last game how Hetmyer can hit it long but he does not last for long in the middle this time. This was there to be hit though. On a length and outside off, at 127.4 kph, Hetmyer slaps it down the ground but does not get the desired elevation and holes out to Sou

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Just the one again! A low full toss on the pads, Pant swings, he gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls on the leg side. A single taken.

Venkatesh Iyer to Shimron Hetmyer, Just the one! On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Pant wants two but it is only one. Fuller and on middle, Pant swings, it goes more off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs in quickly and keeps it down to one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, ! Just over! Welcome boundary! Not sure if this is the right move. He did bowl a good first over but a second over was always going to be a risk and it has not started well. Full and outside off, Pant looks to go over covers and bags a boundary. Can this break the shackles for Delhi?

Lockie Ferguson to Rishabh Pant, Bowls the wide yorker, Pant jams it through covers for one. Back-to-back excellent overs for Kolkata.

Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Just the one this time! Outside off, this is guided through backward point for one.

Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Goes fuller and on off, Hetmyer drives it nicely but to covers.

Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Two more and Hetmyer is off the mark! Outside off, he guides it through point for a couple of runs.

Shimron Hetmyer is the new man in.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith, ! TIMBER! The well-set Steven Smith is now a goner! The seam-up ball does the trick for Ferguson. Brilliant. The last one was really slow and this one is nice and fast. It is on a length and angling into the batsman. Smith swings across the line but gets an inside edge onto the leg pole. Timely wicket as Delhi would have wanted to up the ante now. Ferguson gets his second. He has been really good so far.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Goes fuller again and just outside off, this is guided to point for only one.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith, Smith is down! That might have hurt! Smith looks to play the paddle scoop by shuffling right outside off. Ferguson bowls a clever slower dipping full toss. It goes off the under-edge and then hits Smith near the box. He takes a moment for himself and rightly so. Seems fine now.

Lockie Ferguson (1-0-6-1) is back on.

Abhishek Nayar, from the Kolkata camp, is up for a chat! Shares that they are happy with the start and the talk during the break was to restrict Delhi under 150 on this sluggish track. Mentions that it's a new season and they were trying to play a different brand of cricket. Regarding their choice to play Tim Southee ahead of Shakib Al Hasan, Nayar replies that Sharjah being a smaller ground, playing with three spinners would not have been a good idea plus with Russell not playing, they want

Venkatesh Iyer to Steven Smith, He does, just the 4 runs from the over. A low full toss on middle, this is whipped through mid-wicket for one. Morgan will be delighted with that effort.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, 3 from 5 now! Seam-up delivery angled into the pads, Pant swings but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side for one. Leg bye. Can Venkatesh Iyer end it well?

Venkatesh Iyer to Steven Smith, Just the two from the first 4 balls! Another slower one outside off, Smith gently strokes it through covers for one.

Venkatesh Iyer to Steven Smith, Really good from Iyer! This is a yorker-length ball outside off, it is guided to point. Another dot.

Venkatesh Iyer to Rishabh Pant, Big confusion but safe! A good slower one to begin with. Pant does not pick it, he is way too early in the swing, it goes off the inner half towards short fine leg. Narine makes a tumbling stop. Smith is halfway down the track but is sent back. Narine realized late where he needed to throw it and hence, Smith makes it back in.

Venkatesh Iyer comes into the attack.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, That is really good from Narine! On middle, Pant works it towards mid-wicket. The batters run the first one quickly. Narine too rushes towards the ball and keeps it to one. 21 runs after the break, Delhi showing better intent.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Yet another single! On middle, this is worked to square leg. A run is taken. Smith thought of a second but it was not on.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Angled into the middle pole, Pant works it through mid-wicket and takes one.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Now takes one as he works it through mid-wicket for one. Good batting.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, ! Finds the gap! Smith is getting a move on now. Slightly fuller this time and on middle, Smith plays the sweep, he hits it hard and wide of deep mid-wicket for another boundary. His third in the last 8 balls of the inninngs.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and on off, Pant pushes it down with the angle to long on for one.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Nicely tossed up, outside off. Steven Smith reaches out and taps it to backward point. A dot ball to finish a 12-run over.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, A tad short, outside off. Rishabh Pant hangs back and cuts it to sweeper cover for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Good running again, from these two! Floated, around leg. Rishabh Pant turns it wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a couple of runs.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Tossed up, on middle, Steven Smith whips it off his pads to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, ! Back-to-back boundaries! Flatter ball, outside off. Steven Smith rocks back and cuts it past point for a boundary. It seems that the message is clear to Smith, Delhi want him to score quickly.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, ! Nicely done! Varun strays on the pads. Smith tickles it towards fine leg for a boundary. The fielder at short fine dives to stop the ball but it beats him.

Strategic Time-Out! Really good from Kolkata so far! They have got two vital wickets and have not let Delhi score freely too. However, Delhi do have the depth in their batting so Kolkata will know they need to keep taking wickets. Delhi, on the other hand, need a partnership, also, they will want Smith to up the ante as he has been in the middle for a while now. They are in a tricky situation here and it will be interesting to see how they go about things.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Play and a miss! Narine serves a quicker ball, on a length, outside off. Rishabh Pant rocks back to cut but he misses.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Floated, around middle and leg. Steven Smith works it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Pant runs to take one more but is sent back by Smith.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Narine sees Smith advancing down the track, he drags his length back and serves a flatter ball, outside off. Smith tries to block it out but misses. He is struck on the pads, his second line of defense.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Tossed up, around off, Rishabh Pant looks to sweep but he miscues it behind square for a single.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, 50 up for Delhi! Flatter and around middle, Smith eases this one to long on for a run.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Excellent running! Tossed up, around middle. Steven Smith stays back and turns it wide of long on for a couple of runs.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Flatter and quicker, around middle, Steven Smith slogs it over mid-wicket. It goes on one bounce to the fielder again. 5 runs off the over!

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Nicely tossed up, outside off. Rishabh Pant gets down on one knee but mistimes his heave to long on, on the bounce. A single taken.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Flighted ball, down leg. Smith works it behind square to rotate the strike.

Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Varun errs in length and serves a full toss, on middle. Rishabh Pant works it to long on for one.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Flatter ball, on middle. Smith flicks it to deep square leg for an easy single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Tossed up, around off. Steven Smith presses forward and defends it to covers.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Quicker ball, on off. Pant defends it out watchfully off the back foot. Excellent over from Sunil Narine!

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and quicker, around off. Rishabh Pant stays back and blocks it out back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Loopy ball, on a length, around middle. Steven Smith whips it to the leg side to collect a run.

Sunil Narine to Rishabh Pant, Flatter ball, on off. Rishabh Pant pushes it to covers for a single. He gets off the mark!

Rishabh Pant walks out to bat now!

Sunil Narine to Shreyas Iyer, ! BOWLED! Drift and turn, what a special delivery! The mystery spinner strikes straightaway! Huge wicket this for Kolkata as they get to see the back of Iyer early. Floated, outside off, turning in sharply. Iyer gets deceived by the turn and plays a nothing shot in the end. The ball sneaks through and crashes onto the stumps. Shreyas has a confused look on his face, he got comprehensively beaten there, was neither fully forward nor back enough to deal with t

Sunil Narine to Steven Smith, Narine starts with a flatter ball, on off. Steven Smith hangs back and works it to long on for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Flighted and outside off, Shreyas hits it firmly through the line but finds the point fielder. At the end of the Powerplay, Delhi are 39/1.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Quicker this time, a bit short and around leg at 100.4 kph, Smith pushes it to long on for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, The line drifts to outside off, Shreyas gets forward with an angled bat and pushes it towards cover-point for a run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Loopy and on off, fuller in length again, Shreyas defends it to the off side.

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Wide! Wrong line from Varun Chakravarthy. A touch short but down the leg side, Iyer tries to pull but misses. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Full and floated on off, Shreyas presses forward and pushes it to covers.

Varun Chakravarthy to Steven Smith, Tossed up, around off, Smith knocks it down to long on and takes a single.

Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat. Also, Varun Chakravarthy comes to bowl now.

Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Caught at point! Lockie Ferguson takes down the big fish. The Kiwi dishes out another short delivery, it's outside off at 141.9 kph, Dhawan throws his bat at it as he attempts to cut it through the line. He does that well but fails to keep it down. Venkatesh Iyer stretches his hands out to his left and takes an easy catch. A big blow to Delhi as their in-form batsman departs.

Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Play and a miss! Pacy delivery. A touch short and outside off at 144 kph, Dhawan stands back to hammer it through the line but misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Lockie switches 'round the wicket for the left-hander. Delivers it short and outside off, Dhawan cuts but finds the point fielder.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith, On a length, around off, Smith walks across and works it behind square leg for a single.

Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack now.

Lockie Ferguson to Steven Smith, ! Stylish! Ferguson angles in a length ball around off, Smith leans across a bit and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Fuller in length and outside off, Dhawan goes hard at it and inside-edges it towards mid-wicket. They cross for a quick run.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Short in length, wide outside off, Dhawan flat-bats it through backward point for a single.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, NOT ! Southee angles it in, on a length around middle, Dhawan stays back to work it across the line but misses. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal but the finger stays down. Morgan has a word with his players before taking the review. UltraEdge takes some time to load. It comes on eventually. No bat involved. Ball Tracker shows that it's clipping the top of the leg stump. Umpire's call.

Review time! Tim Southee thinks that he has got his man here so he has asked Eoin Morgan to opt for a review as Shikhar Dhawan has been struck on his pads.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan is looking in fine touch! He advances down the track to a length ball around off and spanks it past the cover fielder for a boundary. That went to the fence in a flash.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith, Fuller in length, around off, Smith flicks it firmly to deep square leg for a single.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Identical to the last delivery, short and a tad wide outside off, Dhawan cuts it to deep point for a single.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Play and a miss! Slightly short and outside off, Dhawan stays back to cut but fails to connect.

Sandeep Warrier to Steven Smith, Beaten on the drive! Excellent delivery from Sandeep. Lands it full and outside off, enticing the drive from Smith but it straightens to beat the outside edge. 10 from the over!

Sandeep Warrier to Steven Smith, Swing and a miss! There is no need for Smith to do this. On a length and outside off, Smith attempts for a cross-batted heave but fails to connect.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Smart batting. Two boundaries and now a single for Dhawan. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan plays it down towards point for a single.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, ! More runs, this one is a bit whippy from Dhawan. It's overpitched and around middle, Dhawan latches onto it and smacks it to the deep square leg fence.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Easy pickings! Operating from 'round the wicket angle, Warrier cannot afford to get too straight with his line. It's full and on middle, Dhawan uses the angle to his advantage and flicks it easily through mid-wicket.

Sandeep Warrier to Steven Smith, On a good length, around off, Smith tucks it through square leg and picks up a single.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Southee switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a length ball on off, Dhawan defends it from the crease. 

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, Good stop! On a length around off, Dhawan shimmies down the track and smashes it down to mid off. The fielder there is alert and makes a fine stop.

Tim Southee to Shikhar Dhawan, EDGY ! Southee angles across a delivery around off, on a fuller length, Dhawan tries to force it through the line but it takes the outer edge and runs wide of short third man for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith, Tap and run. Around off, on a length, Smith drops it down with soft hands to cover-point and pinches a single.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith, Another delivery, full, around middle, Smith helps it off his pads but finds the mid-wicket fielder.

Tim Southee will bowl from the other end.

Tim Southee to Steven Smith, Southee starts by angling in a full ball around off, Smith walks across and nudges it to the right of mid on for a couple of runs.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Fuller and around leg, Dhawan bunts it down towards mid on. Smith looks for a run but it's a big no from Dhawan. 5 coming from the opening over!

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan is off the mark. Sandeep Warrier serves a friendly full toss on middle, Dhawan is not going to miss out on that. He picks it up, uses his wrists well and places his shot behind square leg for a boundary, first of the match.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Sandeep Warrier goes fuller this time, it's on middle and Dhawan drives it back to the bowler.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Short again, this time outside off, Dhawan rocks back to cut but fails to middle his shot. It takes the bottom half of the blade and rolls behind point. The slip fielder rushes ahead to pick up the ball.

Sandeep Warrier to Shikhar Dhawan, Back of a length, around leg, Dhawan tries to work it around but misses. It takes his thigh pad and falls near the pitch. Smith eyes a leg bye but is sent back.

Sandeep Warrier to Steven Smith, Trademark shuffle across the stumps from Steven Smith. He works a fuller delivery behind square leg and opens his account with a single.

We are all set for the game to begin! The players of Kolkata have made their way out to the middle. Shikhar Dhawan has a new opening partner in Steven Smith for this fixture and both of them are at the crease! Sandeep Warrier will start with the ball for Kolkata. Here we go...

Toss - Rishabh Pant and Eoin Morgan are in the middle. The latter flips the coin, Pant calls incorrectly and KOLKATA ELECT TO BOWL!

Sunil Narine, the mystery spinner, comes up for a quick chat. Says that they need to deal with pressure much better and close out the games smartly. Feels that the team which will bowl well today will win the game as it is a smaller ground. Tells that he and Varun Chakravarthy have a chat before and also during the game regarding the batters and how they should bowl to them.

Delhi (Playing XI) - Steven Smith (In for Prithvi Shaw), Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan.

Eoin Morgan, the captain of Kolkata, says he is not sure how the wicket will play, it does not look like a belter and hence, he wants to bowl. Shares that he was playing golf yesterday and celebrated Brendon McCullum's birthday. Tells that as a team they are very focused on playing one game at a time. Mentions that they have played some good cricket in the second phase and he hopes this continues and they can slowly move up the ladder. Informs they have two changes, Andre Russel misses out and

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakaravarthy, Tim Southee (In for Andre Russell), Sandeep Warrier (In for Prasidh Krishna).

Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Delhi, says that they were looking to bat first anyway as they don't know how the pitch will behave. He feels the wicket is slow and 150-160 should be a good score. Adds they want to take one game at a time and he hopes they can do well. Mentions they want to win this one and ensure qualification. Informs that Prithvi Shaw is injured and Steven Smith will replace him in the XI.

... MATCH DAY ...

A warm welcome to everyone for the coverage. It's going to be a tasty Tuesday with two games lined up. We're here for Match 41 between Delhi and Kolkata with the former having one leg in the playoffs and the latter still caught in the middle muddle. Both teams have been in great form since resumption and we can expect a close game in Sharjah. 

Over the years, Kolkata used to dominate this fixture and it's evident in the head-to-head battle as well. But Delhi have started to respond now and have won 5 out of their last six games against Kolkata. On current form, Delhi can be counted as favourites but Kolkata have the ability to take them down. Who will win this bout?

Pitch report - Matthew Hayden is near the surface. The Aussie starts by saying that the wicket has been usually slow and the batters have struggled. Adds that the surface does not have a lot of grass and the bowlers opt for cross-seam deliveries which cause problems for the batsmen. Hayden feels that as a batting team you need to make the most of the Powerplay.

Update - Tim Southee is all set to make his Indian T20 League debut for Kolkata. The Kiwi has previously represented Chennai, Rajasthan, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Kagiso Rabada comes up for a quick chat! The speedster starts by saying that they are in the best possible space and playing well as a team. Adds that they are looking to continue with this winning run as far as possible. On his role, Rabada replies that he is mentally prepared to do anything and nothing is taken for granted in this team. Tells that he is ready to bowl and ready to adapt to any situation. Regarding Anrich Nortje, Rabada tells that he plays with him for South Africa as well and

Update - Andre Russell is expected to miss this match after suffering a hamstring injury. Big blow to Kolkata in both the departments. Ben Cutting appears to be the likeliest replacement for the big West Indian.