Cricket Scorecard

So Chennai need 168 to win the game..The pitch looked to hve got slower but Bravo believes it is a good pitch to bat. Kolkata will need to be at their best with the ball if they are to win. Can Chennai make it two in a row or will Kolkata put on a show with the ball? Join us for the chase to find out.

One of the star's with the ball and the Birthday boy, Dwayne Bravo  iscaught for a chat. Bravo says that it is good to have experienced players around, especially someone of the calibre of Dhoni. Thanks those who wished him for his birthday. States that it is a very good wicket. Adds that he has been working on his yorkers from the CPL and feels happy that it is paying off. Says that he is happy that Hazlewood and Curran got opportunities to play for Chennai. Bravo says that it was a good tea

A superb bowling performance from Chennai. Everyone except Deepak Chahar had a good evening. Jadeja was not needed to bowl. Karn Sharma was fantastic in his first outing of the season picking up 2 wickets. Curran and Thakur got two as well. Birthday boy Bravo's fantastic final over saw him finish with 3. All-in-all it was a supreme bolwing performance by the Men in Yellow.

In a team which has super talent like Shubman Gill and proven stars in the form of Russell, Morgan and Karthik, it was Rahul Tripathi who delivered the goods and it was a solo show from him. He was the only batter who single-handedly has taken Kolkata to 167, scoring 81 off those. The rest of the batters just failed to deliver tonight and struggled to get going. It was a disappointing batting effort with nothing much to show for it bar Rahul Tripathi.

Excellent comeback from Chennai with the ball. They have done brilliantly to pull back things in the last 10 overs. It looked like they would be chasing close to 200 at the halfway stage of the innings but they pulled things back brilliantly in the second half of the innings. They conceeded just 74 runs and picked 8 wickets to choke the runs from Kolkata and restrict them under 170. 

Dwayne Bravo to Varun Chakravarthy, ! RUN OUT! Another fantastic work from MS Dhoni! Low full toss on the pads, Varun flicks it towards deep mid-wicket and looks for two but the fielder gets to the ball quickly and sends a good throw towards Dhoni who manages to whips the bails off quickly. 

Varun Chakravarthy walks out to the middle now. 

Dwayne Bravo to Shivam Mavi, ! Caught! Brilliant catch from Dhoni! Fulller outside off, Mavi swings but gets a thick outside edge. Dhoni had one of his glove off as he wanted to deny them a bye. The ball goes to his right. He gets his one glove and the other hand to it. The ball lobs and goes away, so MS wears his superman cape and dives to finish the catch.

Dwayne Bravo to Pat Cummins, Hit too hard! Good ball! Full and straight on off, Cummins hits it to long off and gets a single. 

Dwayne Bravo to Pat Cummins, Good running! Short ball on off, Cummins pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Shivam Mavi is the new man in.

Dwayne Bravo to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, ! Caught! The slower one does the trick. Bravo uses his experience and follows the quick bouncer with a slower ball which is on a length. Nagarkoti looks to hit it over mid off but ends up chipping it straight to the man. Du Plessis is never going to drop these. 

Dwayne Bravo to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, WIDE! Bouncer but overcooked! It is around off and bowled at a good pace. Nagarkoti looks to pull but misses. oo high though so wided by the umpire. 

Dwayne Bravo to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Good length ball on top of leg, Nagarkoti looks to paddle it over fine leg but misses. Dot to start the final over. 

Kamlesh Nagarkoti walks out to bat now. DJ Bravo is back in the attack. 3-0-32-1 for him.

Sam Curran to Dinesh Karthik, ! CAUGHT! He had to go at this stage, Dinesh Karthik. Cannot fault him for that. Back of a length delivery outside off, the Kolkata skipper slashes at it. However it goes straight to Shardul Thakur at third man. Thakur fumbles on the first take but manages to hold on in the second. Chennai doing well to contain the scoring in the end here.

Sam Curran to Dinesh Karthik, AND A BOUNDARY! Jadeja is an exceptional fielder, you would normally not expect these from him. Short ball, Karthik pulls. Jadeja runs to his right from deep mid-wicket. Should have been a comfortable catch for his standards, but he spills it and it goes beyound for a boundary, despite Jadeja trying his best to stop it from going so.

Sam Curran to Dinesh Karthik, Yorker, well outside off, Karthik shuffles across and looks to sweep but misses.

Sam Curran to Pat Cummins, Outside off, Cummins works this on the off side and takes a single.

Sam Curran to Pat Cummins, Full and outside off, driven on the off side. The man at cover misfields and allows a couple to be sneaked in.

Sam Curran to Dinesh Karthik, Karthik goes to paddle the ball by moving around off. The ball hits the inner half of the bat and goes towards short fine leg. A single taken.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, ! Does not finish the over well, Thakur. Fullish on the stumps, Cummins launches that over mid-wicket.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, Shardul appeals for a caught behind but Dhoni is silent, just smiles. Thakur was ecstatic and looks to his captain but Dhoni is unmoved. Outside off, Cummins flashes hard but misses, Dhoni takes it behind. Thakur thinks there is an edge but Dhoni lets out his disarming smile.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, ! In the gap and that is a boundary. He can bat, Pat Cummins. Short ball, he pulls and sends this to the deep mid-wicket fence.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, WIDE! Slips a fuller one down the leg side. Cummins looks to flick but misses. Dhoni does well to go to his left and stop that.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, Short ball, Karthik pulls but finds mid-wicket. Just the single.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, Full and well outside off, Cummins shuffles across but nudges this towards third man and gives the strike to his skipper.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, This is worked to the leg side for a single.

Dwayne Bravo to Pat Cummins, Full and outside off, driven to Jagadeesan, the substitute fielder, at cover. A dot this time.

Pat Cummins walks out to bat now.

The umpires want to have a look for a catch. The soft signal is out. Replays roll in and.... !

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, ! CAUGHT! Right then, Chennai have got the dangerous Tripathi and might have put the plug on a good deal of runs here. Excellent field placement from Dhoni again. Very full length delivery outside off, Tripathi looked to jam it out. However, he ends up digging it out towards Watson at short third man. The umpires wanted to have a look whether it went to the fielder on the full. Replays indicate so and Chennai have snared a big one here.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Misfield and a couple. It was hit hard though. Full and outside off, stroked firmly to cover. The substitute fielder there does not stop it thoroughly. It goes through for a couple.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, ! In the gap and he gets a boundary. Shortish and outside off, too much of width on offer. Tripathi punishes it. Hammers it to the deep point fence.

Dwayne Bravo to Dinesh Karthik, Full on middle, glanced to square leg for a single.

DJ Bravo is back in the attack. 2-0-25-0 so far.

Dwayne Bravo to Dinesh Karthik, Bowls a fuller one around the pads, Karthik looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, Short ball, Karthik pulls to deep backward square leg for a single.

Shardul Thakur to Rahul Tripathi, Full and outside off, steered towards third man for a single.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, Fullish, outside off, steers this to backward point for one.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, Around off, DK is away rightaway. Flicks this towards wide long on and takes a couple.

Dinesh Karthik, the skipper, comes out to bat now.

Shardul Thakur to Andre Russell, ! CAUGHT! Shardul Thakur has another one. Another of those faintest of edges. Short ball outside off, Russell swivels in his crease and looks to pull. Gets the faintest of outside edges. It goes behind and the Chennai skipper takes it with ease.

Shardul Thakur is back in the attack. 2-0-9-1 so far for him.

Shardul Thakur to Andre Russell, Length delivery outside off, Russell drives but straight to mid off.

Deepak Chahar to Andre Russell, Shortish and outside off, punched through the covers for one. 14 runs off Chahar's final over. He finishes with 4-0-47-0.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, On a good length outside off, bunted down to long off for a single.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Drifting on the pads and it is too easy for Tripathi. Flicks it over fine leg for a biggie. 

Deepak Chahar to Andre Russell, Full on middle, Russell whips it to mid-wicket and takes one.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Full and outside off, Rahul nudges this to extra cover and takes one.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Lovely shot. Full on middle and leg, Rahul lofts this over short fine leg and gets it to the boundary.

Andre Russell walks out to bat now. Also Deepak Chahar is back in the attack. 3-0-33-0 so far.

Sam Curran to Eoin Morgan, ! CAUGHT! Morgan does not even bother to lift his head. Walks back. Short length delivery on top of middle and leg, Morgan looks to pull but gets it off his gloves. It goes behind and Dhoni takes it safely.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi pulls this uppishly towards mid on and takes the single as Bravo from long on comes in and mops this up.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi looked to play this on the leg side but misses. Gets it on his body and it falls back on the pitch.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, A couple. The fielder in the deep does not go for the catch and Sam Curran is not happy with that. Full on the stumps, Tripathi goes for the slog sweep. It falls short of mid-wicket and they take a couple. Curran feels that the fielder there should have run in and made an attempt.

Sam Curran to Eoin Morgan, Morgan works this towards long on for a single.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi would have been a goner there! Would have been a huge blow for Kolkata. Length ball outside off, he taps this towards where short cover would have been and takes off for the single. Sam Curran gets there and flicks a throw at the bowler's end. Misses. But had he hit the stumps, Tripathi would have had to walk back.

Sam Curran is back in the attack. 2-0-13-0 so far.

DRINKS! Kolkata are doing well, however, it is time to motor now. Tripathi is well set and everyone knows what he is capable of. With Morgan in the middle and skipper Karthik and Russell to come, they have enough depth to keep going bang bang without great worry. Will they step on the gas or will the break prove to be their undoing? Let's see.

Karn Sharma to Eoin Morgan, End of an excellent spell from Karn Sharma! Slow and on the pads, Morgan looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pad. Morgan looks for a risky run but Tripathi is quick to deny it.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Quicker leg spinner on off, Tripathi strokes it to cover and gets to the other end. 

Karn Sharma to Eoin Morgan, Short on middle, Morgan makes room by going outside the line of his stumps and punches it to cover for one.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Tossed up around off, Tripathi plays it to sweeper cover for one. 

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, NOT ! Tripathi is well in! Smart bowling from Karn Sharma. He sees Tripathi charging down so he bowls quicker and flatter outside off. Tripathi manages to stay in and stretch to hit but misses. Dhoni whips the bails off in typical Dhoni speed but Rahul never left the crease.

Tripathi looks in but the square leg umpire has gone upstairs to see if Tripathi's back foot was in or not.

Karn Sharma to Eoin Morgan, Flatter on middle and off, Morgan looks to defend but the ball goes behind point off the outer half and gets a single. 

Shardul Thakur to Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tripathi works it on the leg side for a dot.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, A leg bye, again! On a length on middle and leg, Morgan looks to play at it but misses. It comes off his pads to the off side and a leg bye is taken.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, 2 LEG BYES! Shardul appeals for LBW but it is not given. Pitching outside leg. Good length ball on midldle and leg, Morgan looked to work that on the leg side but misses. It comes off his pads towards third man and a couple of leg byes is taken.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, Short ball outside off, Morgan lets that one through.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, This time he pushes this straight to cover for a dot.

Who will walk out to bat now? Eoin Morgan it is. Shardul Thakur is back in the attack. 1-0-5-1 so far.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, ! Full and outside off, Morgan powers the drive through covers for a boundary. Off the mark in style.

Is that out? Has it been taken without touching the boundary? Soft signal it out. Replays are in and.... yes, out!

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! CAUGHT! Spectacular catch this, something we have seen a lot earlier in this edition. Floated around off, Sunil looks to heave that over mid-wicket. Jadeja at the deep runs to his right, dives and takes the catch.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi works it on the leg side for a single.

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, Around off, swept to deep square leg for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tripathi works this on the off side for a single.

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, Ooops... Narine slips and just the single. Very full ball on the pads, it is worked towards mid-wicket. They take a single and Tripathi wants two but Narine slips at the non-striker's end.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, In the air.... safe! Floated around middle and leg, Rahul looks to go for the big one over the bowler's head. Does not time it well. The breeze does not carry it enough to the fielder at long off or long on. It lands safely and a single is pinched in.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, Poor throw! On the pads, Narine tucks it towards mid-wicket and calls for two. The fielder gets to the ball quickly but his throw is well wide of Dhoni at the keeper's end. A better throw and Narine might have been in trouble. At the halfway stage of the innings, Kolkata are 93/2.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, ! Very good shot from Narine! Nothing wrong with the delivery, it is very full around off. Narine slices it over backward point and gets a boundary.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, ! Narine gets his first biggie of the game! Full around off, Narine frees his arms and slams it over extra cover for a boundary.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, WIDE! DJ overcooks the bouncer! Narine ducks, has a glance at the square leg umpire who indicates the umpire to signal it as wide.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Follows the boundary with a single towards long on. 

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, ! Slammed! FIFTY FOR TRIPATHI! He was very good in the last game in the middle order but tonight he has been given the chance to open and he has made the most of it. Very fine knock from Rahul Tripathi tonight! Bravo gives width outside off, Tripathi slams it over cover-point and gets a boundary to bring up his fifty.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, Low full toss on off, Narine whips it towards mid-wicket for one. 

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, Short, around off, pulled to mid-wicket for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Slower in the air on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Who will walk out to bat now? Sunil Narine it is.

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, Sunil works this on the leg side for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Around off, swept away to deep square leg for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Flighted on the stumps, blocked.

Karn Sharma to Nitish Rana, ! CAUGHT! 12 runs off Karn's first over and now he gets a wicket. It was a good catch in the deep, even though it looked simple. Flighted around off, Nitish goes for the slog sweep. Gets it high in the air at deep mid-wicket. Ravindra Jadeja there takes a simple catch.

Dwayne Bravo to Nitish Rana, Fullish and outside off, Rana taps this towards mid on and hustles quickly for the single. The throw comes in at the non-striker's end but misses. Just 6 off DJ's first.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Edgy single! Full ball, tailing into middle and leg, Tripathi looked to glance that on the leg side but gets a leading edge to the off side. Just the single.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Change of pace! Something Bravo is very good at. Rolls the wrists late and bowls a slower one outside off, Rahul waits and then cuts it to deep point. A couple taken.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Length, outside off, hit straight to point.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Two is the call and two it is. Full and on the stumps, Tripathi flicks this to backward square leg and comes back for the second.

DJ Bravo, the birthday boy, is into the attack now.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Fullish on middle, clipped to short mid-wicket.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Full on middle, stroked to long on for a single.

Change in bowling.  Spin to be introduced into the attack for the first time post the break. Karn Sharma is into the attack for the first time this season. 

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi drives this to deep cover for a couple. 

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, ! Would have been a fantastic catch had he taken that. Full ball, Tripathi looks to launch this over long on for a biggie. He does get it by just as Sam jumps and looks to pouch it but the ball goes past. Needed a taller fielder there, Chennai.

Karn Sharma to Nitish Rana, Around off, fuller, pushed to wide long on for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Flatter on leg, Rahul rocks back and nudges this down to long on for one.

Karn Sharma to Nitish Rana, Floated around middle, Rana leans in and works it on the on side and gets to the other end.

DRINKS! A very good Powerplay for Kolkata. The change in plan to open with Tripathi instead of Narine is reaping its rewards as the right-hander is looking good and continuing from where he left off at Sharjah. The two-time champions though have lost Shubman Gill. Chennai have been poor so far but we have seen them comeback stronger with the ball in hand after the break. 

Deepak Chahar to Nitish Rana, Outside off, Rana taps it to the off side off the bottom edge for a single. Kolkata are 52/1 at the end of the Powerplay.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, A single as this is worked on the leg side for one.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, WIDE! Slips one down the leg side. Wide called. Brings up the 50 for Kolkata as well.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Change of pace but Tripathi gives it a good whack. Full and outside off, he lofts this over covers for a maximum. Huge one it was.

Deepak Chahar to Nitish Rana, Back of a length delivery around off, Rana jumps and punches this towards mid off for a single.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, On middle, Tripathi works this to short fine leg for a single. Shane Watson is the man for Chennai there.

Deepak Chahar is back in the attack. 2-0-22-0 so far.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tripathi defends this out. 

Shardul Thakur to Nitish Rana, Bouncer from Shardul to finish. Nitish Rana sways away from it.

Shardul Thakur to Nitish Rana, On off, fullish, kept out to the off side.

Shardul Thakur to Nitish Rana, ! Flashing and flashing hard. Pays dividends. Nitish Rana is underway rightaway. Full and outside off, he slashes hard at it. Gets it to the third man boundary off a thick outside edge.

Nitish Rana comes out to bat at No. 3.

Shardul Thakur to Nitish Rana, On a good length on off, blocked to the off side.

Shardul Thakur to Shubman Gill, ! CAUGHT! Yes, a faint nick. Shubman Gill has to go and go pretty early. On a good length outside off, Shubman goes for the pull shot. It takes a faint bottom edge and goes low to Dhoni. The Chennai skipper bends and takes it well.

Shardul Thakur to Shubman Gill, WIDE! Slips one down the leg side, Shubman looks to flick but misses.

Shardul Thakur into the attack now.

Shardul Thakur to Shubman Gill, Fullish and around off, Shubman defends it out.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, ! Finishes the over with a boundary, again, does Tripathi. Full and around off, he lofts this over mid off.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Yorker length delivery outside off, Tripathi goes after it but misses. Lets out a loud 'Aaargh'!.

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, Gill places the length delivery towards cover and takes a single.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Outside off, worked to the off side for a single.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, ! He is a very busy cricketer, Tripathi. On leg, he flicks it away to the fine leg fence, well to the right of Watson at short fine leg.

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, On middle, this is tapped to the off side for a single.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Short length delivery, Tripathi pulls, well to the right of short fine leg and gets a boundary to finish the over.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Unlucky for Thakur there. It was a good effort from him. Full and on off, Tripathi goes for the big heave, over the leg side. Gets it over the mid-wicket region. Thakur gives chase and puts in a dive to keep the ball back in. To the naked eye it looked like a good save. But the umpires want to have a look. And replays indicate there was contact with the boundary as the ball was pushed in.

Has Thakur kept the ball in? Multiple times the replay is being looked at. Boundary signalled.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, A single as this is worked on the on side for one.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, ! He is a classy player, Shubman Gill! Shortish and outside off, he stands tall and pulls this over mid-wicket.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Kolkata take on Jadeja once again. Get the single. Tripathi nudges this fullish delivery to Jadeja at point and takes off for the other end. They take on Jadeja again. The throw is at the non-striker's end...misses the stumps and a single in the end.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, Full and on the pads, clipped towards backward square leg for a single. 

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, A risky single! The throw was at the striker's end, it misses and Tripathi, with a dive, gets there in the end. On a good length outside off, Shubman taps this towards backward point. Rahul calls for the quick one and luckily makes it in as the throw misses the stumps.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, On the pads, fullish, Rahul looked to turn that on the leg side. Misses and it goes to the leg side off his pad. A leg bye taken. 

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Attacks the stumps with a fuller one again, Tripathi blocks it out.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Full and around off and middle, Rahul keeps this out.

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, This time he gets one as he works this to mid off and takes a single.

Who will bowl from the other end? Sam Curran gets the new ball from the other end.

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, Unlucky for Gill there. That shot deserved a boundary. Full and on middle, Gill drives it back towards the bowler. It hits the stumps at the bowler's end and deflects to mid off. A dot in the end.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Outside off, left alone by Rahul. 7 off the first over.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, An easy single that. Shubman comes down the track and taps the full length ball towards mid off. He calls for a quick run. The throw is in at the non-striker's end. It hits the stumps. The umpires want to have a look. Replays roll in and comfortably in was Gill.

The third umpire to have a look for the run out. Shubman is well in though.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, He does get to swing them both ways early in the innings, Chahar. Another full length outswinger, Shubman keeps this out on the off side.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Fullish and outside off, nudged to deep point for a single.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Swing there. A full length away-swinger, Rahul drives but straight to cover.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Very fine and it runs away for a boundary. Strays with a fuller one on the pads, Tripathi glances this away to the fine leg fence.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, WIDE! Starts off with a full one down the leg side. Tripathi misses his flick.

All set to begin at Abu Dhabi then!  The umpires make their way out to the middle. The Men in Yellow are in a huddle near the ropes. Some words of wisdom from MS Dhoni and they are off to take their respective positions on the field. Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi are the openers for Kolkata. Change in the batting order for them. They needed more from Narine at the top and he has not delivered, so the change. Deepak Chahar with the ball for Chennai. Here we go...

Shubman Gill is up for a quick chat. He says that the team is having a great experience. Wants to inspire his fellow countrymen. He states that in this pandemic situation, it is difficult to go to the ground from the rooms but once one gets a hang of it, the same becomes easy. Shubman wants to continue playing well and scoring more runs.   

Chennai (Playing XI) - Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK/C), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Karn Sharma (IN PLACE OF PIYUSH CHAWLA), Deepak Chahar. 

Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK/C), Eoin Morgan, Rahul Tripathi, Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy.

Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni, says that it is not bad bowling first as that is what they have done so far. Dhoni says that in a tournament like this you keep getting new questions and need to answer and adapt. Tells the openers played well in the last game and hopes that they can continue giving them such starts. But is aware that it might not happen again. Informs there is one change as Karn Sharma comes in for Piyush Chawla.

Pitch Report - Deep Dasgupta is out in the middle. Back-to-back games in Abu Dhabi and hence the pitch remains the same, he says. He further states that the lengths as a batsman and a bowler that one wants to go after are different. Ajit Agarkar feels that anything in the good length or a bit shorter is good to be in, for a bowler. Agarkar feels that there is decent carry on this pitch. There are a little bit of cracks. Dasgupta feels that the pitch has something for both the batsmen and the bow

Dinesh Karthik, Kolkata's captain, says that he wants to bat first because he feels in the last couple of games that they batted first, the team did well. Informs that there are no changes. 

TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in Kolkata's favour. THEY WILL BAT!

Hello and welcome to our coverage of Match 21 between Chennai and Kolkata. A rivalry as close to the heated one as is in Mumbai-Chennai duels. Needless to add that the 2012 League final is the first thing that comes to our mind. Yes, it goes that long and since then there have been countless memories all along the way. What's in store this time around? How will Dhoni combat against the likes of Narine and Russell with the ball, against whom he has found the going tough. Can Karthik find his mojo

So Chennai need 168 to win the game..The pitch looked to hve got slower but Bravo believes it is a good pitch to bat. Kolkata will need to be at their best with the ball if they are to win. Can Chennai make it two in a row or will Kolkata put on a show with the ball? Join us for the chase to find out.

One of the star's with the ball and the Birthday boy, Dwayne Bravo  iscaught for a chat. Bravo says that it is good to have experienced players around, especially someone of the calibre of Dhoni. Thanks those who wished him for his birthday. States that it is a very good wicket. Adds that he has been working on his yorkers from the CPL and feels happy that it is paying off. Says that he is happy that Hazlewood and Curran got opportunities to play for Chennai. Bravo says that it was a good tea

A superb bowling performance from Chennai. Everyone except Deepak Chahar had a good evening. Jadeja was not needed to bowl. Karn Sharma was fantastic in his first outing of the season picking up 2 wickets. Curran and Thakur got two as well. Birthday boy Bravo's fantastic final over saw him finish with 3. All-in-all it was a supreme bolwing performance by the Men in Yellow.

In a team which has super talent like Shubman Gill and proven stars in the form of Russell, Morgan and Karthik, it was Rahul Tripathi who delivered the goods and it was a solo show from him. He was the only batter who single-handedly has taken Kolkata to 167, scoring 81 off those. The rest of the batters just failed to deliver tonight and struggled to get going. It was a disappointing batting effort with nothing much to show for it bar Rahul Tripathi.

Excellent comeback from Chennai with the ball. They have done brilliantly to pull back things in the last 10 overs. It looked like they would be chasing close to 200 at the halfway stage of the innings but they pulled things back brilliantly in the second half of the innings. They conceeded just 74 runs and picked 8 wickets to choke the runs from Kolkata and restrict them under 170. 

Dwayne Bravo to Varun Chakravarthy, ! RUN OUT! Another fantastic work from MS Dhoni! Low full toss on the pads, Varun flicks it towards deep mid-wicket and looks for two but the fielder gets to the ball quickly and sends a good throw towards Dhoni who manages to whips the bails off quickly. 

Varun Chakravarthy walks out to the middle now. 

Dwayne Bravo to Shivam Mavi, ! Caught! Brilliant catch from Dhoni! Fulller outside off, Mavi swings but gets a thick outside edge. Dhoni had one of his glove off as he wanted to deny them a bye. The ball goes to his right. He gets his one glove and the other hand to it. The ball lobs and goes away, so MS wears his superman cape and dives to finish the catch.

Dwayne Bravo to Pat Cummins, Hit too hard! Good ball! Full and straight on off, Cummins hits it to long off and gets a single. 

Dwayne Bravo to Pat Cummins, Good running! Short ball on off, Cummins pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Shivam Mavi is the new man in.

Dwayne Bravo to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, ! Caught! The slower one does the trick. Bravo uses his experience and follows the quick bouncer with a slower ball which is on a length. Nagarkoti looks to hit it over mid off but ends up chipping it straight to the man. Du Plessis is never going to drop these. 

Dwayne Bravo to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, WIDE! Bouncer but overcooked! It is around off and bowled at a good pace. Nagarkoti looks to pull but misses. oo high though so wided by the umpire. 

Dwayne Bravo to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Good length ball on top of leg, Nagarkoti looks to paddle it over fine leg but misses. Dot to start the final over. 

Kamlesh Nagarkoti walks out to bat now. DJ Bravo is back in the attack. 3-0-32-1 for him.

Sam Curran to Dinesh Karthik, ! CAUGHT! He had to go at this stage, Dinesh Karthik. Cannot fault him for that. Back of a length delivery outside off, the Kolkata skipper slashes at it. However it goes straight to Shardul Thakur at third man. Thakur fumbles on the first take but manages to hold on in the second. Chennai doing well to contain the scoring in the end here.

Sam Curran to Dinesh Karthik, AND A BOUNDARY! Jadeja is an exceptional fielder, you would normally not expect these from him. Short ball, Karthik pulls. Jadeja runs to his right from deep mid-wicket. Should have been a comfortable catch for his standards, but he spills it and it goes beyound for a boundary, despite Jadeja trying his best to stop it from going so.

Sam Curran to Dinesh Karthik, Yorker, well outside off, Karthik shuffles across and looks to sweep but misses.

Sam Curran to Pat Cummins, Outside off, Cummins works this on the off side and takes a single.

Sam Curran to Pat Cummins, Full and outside off, driven on the off side. The man at cover misfields and allows a couple to be sneaked in.

Sam Curran to Dinesh Karthik, Karthik goes to paddle the ball by moving around off. The ball hits the inner half of the bat and goes towards short fine leg. A single taken.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, ! Does not finish the over well, Thakur. Fullish on the stumps, Cummins launches that over mid-wicket.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, Shardul appeals for a caught behind but Dhoni is silent, just smiles. Thakur was ecstatic and looks to his captain but Dhoni is unmoved. Outside off, Cummins flashes hard but misses, Dhoni takes it behind. Thakur thinks there is an edge but Dhoni lets out his disarming smile.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, ! In the gap and that is a boundary. He can bat, Pat Cummins. Short ball, he pulls and sends this to the deep mid-wicket fence.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, WIDE! Slips a fuller one down the leg side. Cummins looks to flick but misses. Dhoni does well to go to his left and stop that.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, Short ball, Karthik pulls but finds mid-wicket. Just the single.

Shardul Thakur to Pat Cummins, Full and well outside off, Cummins shuffles across but nudges this towards third man and gives the strike to his skipper.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, This is worked to the leg side for a single.

Dwayne Bravo to Pat Cummins, Full and outside off, driven to Jagadeesan, the substitute fielder, at cover. A dot this time.

Pat Cummins walks out to bat now.

The umpires want to have a look for a catch. The soft signal is out. Replays roll in and.... !

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, ! CAUGHT! Right then, Chennai have got the dangerous Tripathi and might have put the plug on a good deal of runs here. Excellent field placement from Dhoni again. Very full length delivery outside off, Tripathi looked to jam it out. However, he ends up digging it out towards Watson at short third man. The umpires wanted to have a look whether it went to the fielder on the full. Replays indicate so and Chennai have snared a big one here.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Misfield and a couple. It was hit hard though. Full and outside off, stroked firmly to cover. The substitute fielder there does not stop it thoroughly. It goes through for a couple.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, ! In the gap and he gets a boundary. Shortish and outside off, too much of width on offer. Tripathi punishes it. Hammers it to the deep point fence.

Dwayne Bravo to Dinesh Karthik, Full on middle, glanced to square leg for a single.

DJ Bravo is back in the attack. 2-0-25-0 so far.

Dwayne Bravo to Dinesh Karthik, Bowls a fuller one around the pads, Karthik looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, Short ball, Karthik pulls to deep backward square leg for a single.

Shardul Thakur to Rahul Tripathi, Full and outside off, steered towards third man for a single.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, Fullish, outside off, steers this to backward point for one.

Shardul Thakur to Dinesh Karthik, Around off, DK is away rightaway. Flicks this towards wide long on and takes a couple.

Dinesh Karthik, the skipper, comes out to bat now.

Shardul Thakur to Andre Russell, ! CAUGHT! Shardul Thakur has another one. Another of those faintest of edges. Short ball outside off, Russell swivels in his crease and looks to pull. Gets the faintest of outside edges. It goes behind and the Chennai skipper takes it with ease.

Shardul Thakur is back in the attack. 2-0-9-1 so far for him.

Shardul Thakur to Andre Russell, Length delivery outside off, Russell drives but straight to mid off.

Deepak Chahar to Andre Russell, Shortish and outside off, punched through the covers for one. 14 runs off Chahar's final over. He finishes with 4-0-47-0.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, On a good length outside off, bunted down to long off for a single.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Drifting on the pads and it is too easy for Tripathi. Flicks it over fine leg for a biggie. 

Deepak Chahar to Andre Russell, Full on middle, Russell whips it to mid-wicket and takes one.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Full and outside off, Rahul nudges this to extra cover and takes one.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Lovely shot. Full on middle and leg, Rahul lofts this over short fine leg and gets it to the boundary.

Andre Russell walks out to bat now. Also Deepak Chahar is back in the attack. 3-0-33-0 so far.

Sam Curran to Eoin Morgan, ! CAUGHT! Morgan does not even bother to lift his head. Walks back. Short length delivery on top of middle and leg, Morgan looks to pull but gets it off his gloves. It goes behind and Dhoni takes it safely.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi pulls this uppishly towards mid on and takes the single as Bravo from long on comes in and mops this up.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi looked to play this on the leg side but misses. Gets it on his body and it falls back on the pitch.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, A couple. The fielder in the deep does not go for the catch and Sam Curran is not happy with that. Full on the stumps, Tripathi goes for the slog sweep. It falls short of mid-wicket and they take a couple. Curran feels that the fielder there should have run in and made an attempt.

Sam Curran to Eoin Morgan, Morgan works this towards long on for a single.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi would have been a goner there! Would have been a huge blow for Kolkata. Length ball outside off, he taps this towards where short cover would have been and takes off for the single. Sam Curran gets there and flicks a throw at the bowler's end. Misses. But had he hit the stumps, Tripathi would have had to walk back.

Sam Curran is back in the attack. 2-0-13-0 so far.

DRINKS! Kolkata are doing well, however, it is time to motor now. Tripathi is well set and everyone knows what he is capable of. With Morgan in the middle and skipper Karthik and Russell to come, they have enough depth to keep going bang bang without great worry. Will they step on the gas or will the break prove to be their undoing? Let's see.

Karn Sharma to Eoin Morgan, End of an excellent spell from Karn Sharma! Slow and on the pads, Morgan looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pad. Morgan looks for a risky run but Tripathi is quick to deny it.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Quicker leg spinner on off, Tripathi strokes it to cover and gets to the other end. 

Karn Sharma to Eoin Morgan, Short on middle, Morgan makes room by going outside the line of his stumps and punches it to cover for one.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Tossed up around off, Tripathi plays it to sweeper cover for one. 

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, NOT ! Tripathi is well in! Smart bowling from Karn Sharma. He sees Tripathi charging down so he bowls quicker and flatter outside off. Tripathi manages to stay in and stretch to hit but misses. Dhoni whips the bails off in typical Dhoni speed but Rahul never left the crease.

Tripathi looks in but the square leg umpire has gone upstairs to see if Tripathi's back foot was in or not.

Karn Sharma to Eoin Morgan, Flatter on middle and off, Morgan looks to defend but the ball goes behind point off the outer half and gets a single. 

Shardul Thakur to Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tripathi works it on the leg side for a dot.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, A leg bye, again! On a length on middle and leg, Morgan looks to play at it but misses. It comes off his pads to the off side and a leg bye is taken.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, 2 LEG BYES! Shardul appeals for LBW but it is not given. Pitching outside leg. Good length ball on midldle and leg, Morgan looked to work that on the leg side but misses. It comes off his pads towards third man and a couple of leg byes is taken.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, Short ball outside off, Morgan lets that one through.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, This time he pushes this straight to cover for a dot.

Who will walk out to bat now? Eoin Morgan it is. Shardul Thakur is back in the attack. 1-0-5-1 so far.

Shardul Thakur to Eoin Morgan, ! Full and outside off, Morgan powers the drive through covers for a boundary. Off the mark in style.

Is that out? Has it been taken without touching the boundary? Soft signal it out. Replays are in and.... yes, out!

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! CAUGHT! Spectacular catch this, something we have seen a lot earlier in this edition. Floated around off, Sunil looks to heave that over mid-wicket. Jadeja at the deep runs to his right, dives and takes the catch.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi works it on the leg side for a single.

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, Around off, swept to deep square leg for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tripathi works this on the off side for a single.

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, Ooops... Narine slips and just the single. Very full ball on the pads, it is worked towards mid-wicket. They take a single and Tripathi wants two but Narine slips at the non-striker's end.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, In the air.... safe! Floated around middle and leg, Rahul looks to go for the big one over the bowler's head. Does not time it well. The breeze does not carry it enough to the fielder at long off or long on. It lands safely and a single is pinched in.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, Poor throw! On the pads, Narine tucks it towards mid-wicket and calls for two. The fielder gets to the ball quickly but his throw is well wide of Dhoni at the keeper's end. A better throw and Narine might have been in trouble. At the halfway stage of the innings, Kolkata are 93/2.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, ! Very good shot from Narine! Nothing wrong with the delivery, it is very full around off. Narine slices it over backward point and gets a boundary.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, ! Narine gets his first biggie of the game! Full around off, Narine frees his arms and slams it over extra cover for a boundary.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, WIDE! DJ overcooks the bouncer! Narine ducks, has a glance at the square leg umpire who indicates the umpire to signal it as wide.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Follows the boundary with a single towards long on. 

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, ! Slammed! FIFTY FOR TRIPATHI! He was very good in the last game in the middle order but tonight he has been given the chance to open and he has made the most of it. Very fine knock from Rahul Tripathi tonight! Bravo gives width outside off, Tripathi slams it over cover-point and gets a boundary to bring up his fifty.

Dwayne Bravo to Sunil Narine, Low full toss on off, Narine whips it towards mid-wicket for one. 

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, Short, around off, pulled to mid-wicket for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Slower in the air on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Who will walk out to bat now? Sunil Narine it is.

Karn Sharma to Sunil Narine, Sunil works this on the leg side for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Around off, swept away to deep square leg for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Flighted on the stumps, blocked.

Karn Sharma to Nitish Rana, ! CAUGHT! 12 runs off Karn's first over and now he gets a wicket. It was a good catch in the deep, even though it looked simple. Flighted around off, Nitish goes for the slog sweep. Gets it high in the air at deep mid-wicket. Ravindra Jadeja there takes a simple catch.

Dwayne Bravo to Nitish Rana, Fullish and outside off, Rana taps this towards mid on and hustles quickly for the single. The throw comes in at the non-striker's end but misses. Just 6 off DJ's first.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Edgy single! Full ball, tailing into middle and leg, Tripathi looked to glance that on the leg side but gets a leading edge to the off side. Just the single.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Change of pace! Something Bravo is very good at. Rolls the wrists late and bowls a slower one outside off, Rahul waits and then cuts it to deep point. A couple taken.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Length, outside off, hit straight to point.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Two is the call and two it is. Full and on the stumps, Tripathi flicks this to backward square leg and comes back for the second.

DJ Bravo, the birthday boy, is into the attack now.

Dwayne Bravo to Rahul Tripathi, Fullish on middle, clipped to short mid-wicket.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Full on middle, stroked to long on for a single.

Change in bowling.  Spin to be introduced into the attack for the first time post the break. Karn Sharma is into the attack for the first time this season. 

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi drives this to deep cover for a couple. 

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, ! Would have been a fantastic catch had he taken that. Full ball, Tripathi looks to launch this over long on for a biggie. He does get it by just as Sam jumps and looks to pouch it but the ball goes past. Needed a taller fielder there, Chennai.

Karn Sharma to Nitish Rana, Around off, fuller, pushed to wide long on for a single.

Karn Sharma to Rahul Tripathi, Flatter on leg, Rahul rocks back and nudges this down to long on for one.

Karn Sharma to Nitish Rana, Floated around middle, Rana leans in and works it on the on side and gets to the other end.

DRINKS! A very good Powerplay for Kolkata. The change in plan to open with Tripathi instead of Narine is reaping its rewards as the right-hander is looking good and continuing from where he left off at Sharjah. The two-time champions though have lost Shubman Gill. Chennai have been poor so far but we have seen them comeback stronger with the ball in hand after the break. 

Deepak Chahar to Nitish Rana, Outside off, Rana taps it to the off side off the bottom edge for a single. Kolkata are 52/1 at the end of the Powerplay.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, A single as this is worked on the leg side for one.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, WIDE! Slips one down the leg side. Wide called. Brings up the 50 for Kolkata as well.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Change of pace but Tripathi gives it a good whack. Full and outside off, he lofts this over covers for a maximum. Huge one it was.

Deepak Chahar to Nitish Rana, Back of a length delivery around off, Rana jumps and punches this towards mid off for a single.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, On middle, Tripathi works this to short fine leg for a single. Shane Watson is the man for Chennai there.

Deepak Chahar is back in the attack. 2-0-22-0 so far.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tripathi defends this out. 

Shardul Thakur to Nitish Rana, Bouncer from Shardul to finish. Nitish Rana sways away from it.

Shardul Thakur to Nitish Rana, On off, fullish, kept out to the off side.

Shardul Thakur to Nitish Rana, ! Flashing and flashing hard. Pays dividends. Nitish Rana is underway rightaway. Full and outside off, he slashes hard at it. Gets it to the third man boundary off a thick outside edge.

Nitish Rana comes out to bat at No. 3.

Shardul Thakur to Nitish Rana, On a good length on off, blocked to the off side.

Shardul Thakur to Shubman Gill, ! CAUGHT! Yes, a faint nick. Shubman Gill has to go and go pretty early. On a good length outside off, Shubman goes for the pull shot. It takes a faint bottom edge and goes low to Dhoni. The Chennai skipper bends and takes it well.

Shardul Thakur to Shubman Gill, WIDE! Slips one down the leg side, Shubman looks to flick but misses.

Shardul Thakur into the attack now.

Shardul Thakur to Shubman Gill, Fullish and around off, Shubman defends it out.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, ! Finishes the over with a boundary, again, does Tripathi. Full and around off, he lofts this over mid off.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Yorker length delivery outside off, Tripathi goes after it but misses. Lets out a loud 'Aaargh'!.

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, Gill places the length delivery towards cover and takes a single.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Outside off, worked to the off side for a single.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, ! He is a very busy cricketer, Tripathi. On leg, he flicks it away to the fine leg fence, well to the right of Watson at short fine leg.

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, On middle, this is tapped to the off side for a single.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Short length delivery, Tripathi pulls, well to the right of short fine leg and gets a boundary to finish the over.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Unlucky for Thakur there. It was a good effort from him. Full and on off, Tripathi goes for the big heave, over the leg side. Gets it over the mid-wicket region. Thakur gives chase and puts in a dive to keep the ball back in. To the naked eye it looked like a good save. But the umpires want to have a look. And replays indicate there was contact with the boundary as the ball was pushed in.

Has Thakur kept the ball in? Multiple times the replay is being looked at. Boundary signalled.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, A single as this is worked on the on side for one.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, ! He is a classy player, Shubman Gill! Shortish and outside off, he stands tall and pulls this over mid-wicket.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Kolkata take on Jadeja once again. Get the single. Tripathi nudges this fullish delivery to Jadeja at point and takes off for the other end. They take on Jadeja again. The throw is at the non-striker's end...misses the stumps and a single in the end.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, Full and on the pads, clipped towards backward square leg for a single. 

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, A risky single! The throw was at the striker's end, it misses and Tripathi, with a dive, gets there in the end. On a good length outside off, Shubman taps this towards backward point. Rahul calls for the quick one and luckily makes it in as the throw misses the stumps.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, On the pads, fullish, Rahul looked to turn that on the leg side. Misses and it goes to the leg side off his pad. A leg bye taken. 

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Attacks the stumps with a fuller one again, Tripathi blocks it out.

Sam Curran to Rahul Tripathi, Full and around off and middle, Rahul keeps this out.

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, This time he gets one as he works this to mid off and takes a single.

Who will bowl from the other end? Sam Curran gets the new ball from the other end.

Sam Curran to Shubman Gill, Unlucky for Gill there. That shot deserved a boundary. Full and on middle, Gill drives it back towards the bowler. It hits the stumps at the bowler's end and deflects to mid off. A dot in the end.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Outside off, left alone by Rahul. 7 off the first over.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, An easy single that. Shubman comes down the track and taps the full length ball towards mid off. He calls for a quick run. The throw is in at the non-striker's end. It hits the stumps. The umpires want to have a look. Replays roll in and comfortably in was Gill.

The third umpire to have a look for the run out. Shubman is well in though.

Deepak Chahar to Shubman Gill, He does get to swing them both ways early in the innings, Chahar. Another full length outswinger, Shubman keeps this out on the off side.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Fullish and outside off, nudged to deep point for a single.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, Swing there. A full length away-swinger, Rahul drives but straight to cover.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, ! Very fine and it runs away for a boundary. Strays with a fuller one on the pads, Tripathi glances this away to the fine leg fence.

Deepak Chahar to Rahul Tripathi, WIDE! Starts off with a full one down the leg side. Tripathi misses his flick.

All set to begin at Abu Dhabi then!  The umpires make their way out to the middle. The Men in Yellow are in a huddle near the ropes. Some words of wisdom from MS Dhoni and they are off to take their respective positions on the field. Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi are the openers for Kolkata. Change in the batting order for them. They needed more from Narine at the top and he has not delivered, so the change. Deepak Chahar with the ball for Chennai. Here we go...

Shubman Gill is up for a quick chat. He says that the team is having a great experience. Wants to inspire his fellow countrymen. He states that in this pandemic situation, it is difficult to go to the ground from the rooms but once one gets a hang of it, the same becomes easy. Shubman wants to continue playing well and scoring more runs.   

Chennai (Playing XI) - Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK/C), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Karn Sharma (IN PLACE OF PIYUSH CHAWLA), Deepak Chahar. 

Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK/C), Eoin Morgan, Rahul Tripathi, Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy.

Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni, says that it is not bad bowling first as that is what they have done so far. Dhoni says that in a tournament like this you keep getting new questions and need to answer and adapt. Tells the openers played well in the last game and hopes that they can continue giving them such starts. But is aware that it might not happen again. Informs there is one change as Karn Sharma comes in for Piyush Chawla.

Pitch Report - Deep Dasgupta is out in the middle. Back-to-back games in Abu Dhabi and hence the pitch remains the same, he says. He further states that the lengths as a batsman and a bowler that one wants to go after are different. Ajit Agarkar feels that anything in the good length or a bit shorter is good to be in, for a bowler. Agarkar feels that there is decent carry on this pitch. There are a little bit of cracks. Dasgupta feels that the pitch has something for both the batsmen and the bow

Dinesh Karthik, Kolkata's captain, says that he wants to bat first because he feels in the last couple of games that they batted first, the team did well. Informs that there are no changes. 

TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in Kolkata's favour. THEY WILL BAT!

Hello and welcome to our coverage of Match 21 between Chennai and Kolkata. A rivalry as close to the heated one as is in Mumbai-Chennai duels. Needless to add that the 2012 League final is the first thing that comes to our mind. Yes, it goes that long and since then there have been countless memories all along the way. What's in store this time around? How will Dhoni combat against the likes of Narine and Russell with the ball, against whom he has found the going tough. Can Karthik find his mojo