Cricket Scorecard

A very good bowling effort from Punjab comes to an end! They had three within the first two overs courtesy Shami and Maxwell. Morgan and Gill then counter-attacked and blasted an 81-run stand which got Kolkata back in the game. Punjab though knew it was just the matter of one wicket before they could gain control of the game once again and that is exactly what happened. Bishnoi got Morgan and then the two leggies squeezed the runs and also picked up wickets. Gill was stranded at one end as he wa

The Punjab bowlers have done their job and they would surely expect their batters to do theirs. The Kolkata bowlers have their task cut out on a ground which is quite small and on a wicket which looks good. They will need wickets or it seems impossible for them to defend it. Punjab, on the other hand, will know, one partnership is all they need. If they bat sensibly, they will get to the target. Join us in a bit for the chase.

Murugan Ashwin is caught for a quick chat! On asked if there was turn on offer, Ashwin says that it wasn't turning at the start and feels they might have to go really hard in the first 10 overs. Says that the wrong 'un is coming off well. Tells that bowling full is not a good idea on this wicket.

Chris Jordan to Prasidh Krishna, DOT! Superb last ball and last over. Very full and following the batsman. Prasidh looks to slog it away on the leg side but misses. KOLKATA FINISH WITH 149/9!

Prasidh Krishna is the last man in.

Chris Jordan to Varun Chakravarthy, ! TIMBER! Too full and straight. Chakravarthy moves inside the crease and tries to scoop it over the keeper but misses. The ball though hits the target and the zing bails light up. Jordan gets his second of the night.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, Just a single! Very full again, drilled to long off for one.

Chris Jordan to Varun Chakravarthy, Full again, it is on middle, Varun flicks it to deep mid-wicket and takes a single. Ferguson wants the second but Maxwell is quick to the ball so they stay with just a single.

Chris Jordan to Varun Chakravarthy, Very full and on the pads, Varun looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pad. The ball goes towards fine leg. Before the fielder can get to the ball, they run a couple of leg byes.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, Full and outside off, drilled down to long off for a single.

Mohammed Shami to Lockie Ferguson, Ouch! A short ball on middle and leg, Ferguson looks to pull but misses to get hit high on the thigh pad. The ball rolls to square leg and they take a leg bye. Ferguson will keep the strike for the final over.

Mohammed Shami to Lockie Ferguson, ! TAKE THAT! What a shot! Gill was not giving strike for him and look what he is doing! Gets a full ball around off, he backs away to make room and drills it over extra cover for a flat six.

Mohammed Shami to Varun Chakravarthy, Full toss, Varun strokes it through covers and gets to the other end.

Varun Chakravarthy is the new batsman in.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, ! CAUGHT! Gill holes out! Shami gets his third of the night. A low full toss on middle and leg, Gill looks to flick it over the deep mid-wicket fence but it goes straight to the fielder there. Pooran is the man and he makes no mistake. A fine knock from Gill comes to an end.

Mohammed Shami to bowl the 19th over.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, A dot now! Very full and around off, Gill strokes it down to long on but denies the run. Interesting because Ferguson is playing on 16 off 9.

Mohammed Shami to Lockie Ferguson, single to start the penultimate over! Full and around off, Ferguson flicks it down to deep mid-wicket for one.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, One more single! Very full and around middle, Lockie flicks it through square leg and keeps the strike for the next over. 11 off this one.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, This time Gill connects his flick. A single as it goes to deep mid-wicket.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Huge appeal! But it has been turned down. Punjab don't have a review left. A low full toss on middle, Gill looks to flick but misses. He is hit on the pad. An appeal but it is turned down.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, A yorker now! Ferguson does well to keep it out towards long on for a single.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, ! Consecutive boundaries! Poor bowling though. Short and wide outside off, Ferguson flays it over backward point and finds the fence.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, ! DRILLED! Full and wide outside off, Ferguson backs away a touch and drills it through extra cover for a boundary.

Chris Jordan is back on.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, ! Gill ends the over in a fine style! Full and outside off, he lifts it over extra cover and finds the fence.

Murugan Ashwin to Lockie Ferguson, A single now as this one is flicked through mid-wicket for one.

Murugan Ashwin to Lockie Ferguson, EDGY ! Flatter and just outside off, Ferguson goes back and looks to guide it towards third man. It takes the outside edge and races away to the third man fence.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, He takes a single this time. Flatter and outside off, forced towards long on for a run.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Goes for the reverse sweep this time but fails to connect.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Flatter and outside off, pushed to deep point. Gill denies the run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Lockie Ferguson, In the air... safe! Tossed up and outside off, Ferguson looks to slog but it goes off the toe end.

Ravi Bishnoi to Lockie Ferguson, Flatter and around middle, Ferguson looks to pull but mistimes it towards mid-wicket. It goes uppishly but lands well short of the man at deep mid-wicket. Gill says no for the single.

Lockie Ferguson is the new batsman in.

Ravi Bishnoi to Pat Cummins, ! LBW! Bishnoi gets his man. This looked to be going down but Cummins has to go because he cannot review it, because Karthik used it earlier. Another wrong 'un from Bishnoi. Cummins fails to read it again. He goes and looks to flick but misses as the ball turns in. He is hit on the pad and they all appeal. The finger goes up. Cummins thinks for the review but he doesn't have that option. They don't have the review left. And, replays roll in and it shows that

An appeal for an LBW! The umpire has turned it down but Bishnoi likes it. He wants the review but it is not taken.

Ravi Bishnoi to Pat Cummins, NOT ! It is going down leg! It was a poor review to be honest! It lands on middle and then turns in. It is the googly. Cummins looks to drive but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Rahul is not interested but Bishnoi wants the review to be taken. Rahul does so. Time for the replays and it shows the on-field call is the right one. Punjab lose a review.

Pat Cummins walks in next.

Ravi Bishnoi to Pat Cummins, Googly again, Cummins manages to block.

Ravi Bishnoi to Pat Cummins, Flatter and around off, pushed towards the off side.

Murugan Ashwin to Pat Cummins, The googly, it lands outside off and comes back in. Cummins looks to push it through the off side but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket for one. Brilliant over from Ashwin.

Murugan Ashwin to Pat Cummins, On middle, defended.

Murugan Ashwin to Pat Cummins, Full and around off, pushed towards the cover fielder.

Murugan Ashwin to Pat Cummins, Cummins had to put bat on ball there! It is on middle, it turns away a little. Cummins goes back and tries to keep it out. It goes off the outside edge to short third man.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, ! TIMBER! Murugan gets his man! Nagarkoti was really struggling against Ashwin and he falls to him. It is the googly. It lands outside off and then turns back in. Nagarkoti looks to play a drive through covers but leaves a big gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through and hits the stumps. This wicket though could well prove as a blessing in disguise for Kolkata as Nagarkoti was really wasting a lot of balls.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Tossed up on middle, it is pushed back to the left of the bowler.

DRINKS! Good comeback from Punjab so far, post that counter-attack from Gill and Morgan. Gill though is still out there and he will look to stay till the end to take the team towards a good score. Cummins is still to come and he too can explode and that would really help Kolkata get to a big total. Punjab, on the other hand, would like to see the back of Gill quickly. Let's see if they can do that or it will be Kolkata who will finish with a bang.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Tossed up on off, it is driven to covers.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Fifty for Gill! His 7th in the Indian T20 League. This is a very good innings from him but he needs to continue and take his side to a good total. His side is relying on him at the moment. This is on middle, it is worked through mid-wicket for two.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, On off, it is chipped over the bowler's head for a run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Tosses it up, nice and slow on the leg pole. Nagarkoti swings but it goes off the inside edge down towards fine leg for a couple.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Outside off, Gill guides it through covers for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, On off, it is pushed back to the bowler.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, A dot to end so just the two runs from the over. This is tossed up outside off, Nagarkoti looks to drive but it goes off the inner half towards short fine leg.

Murugan Ashwin is back on. 1-0-14-0 are his figures so far.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Shorter and outside off, it is pulled down to long on for one.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, In the air... safe! Nagarkoti did not read that at all! It is the leg spinner. It lands on middle. Nagarkoti looks to work it on the leg side which is against the turn. It goes off the leading edge over cover for one.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Wrong 'un this time. It pitches and sharply comes in. Nagarkoti somehow manages to keep it out.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Flatter and just outside off, Nagarkoti looks to cut but gets a bottom edge to the slip cordon.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, On off, pushed back to the bowler.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Single to end the over. Flatter and on middle, Kamlesh tucks it towards deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike for the next over. 4 off the over.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Full and around middle, pushed down to long on for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Slower through the air and full and outside off, it is eased through covers for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Full and around off, knocked towards the off side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Tossed up and outside off, Nagarkoti looks to drive but gets an inside edge on the leg side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Flatter and around off, punched through cover for one.

Kamlesh Nagarkoti is the new batsman in.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, ! TIMBER! Excellent bowling from Jordan. He kept banging the ball short to Narine and this time he doesn't do that. Goes for a fullish ball outside off, Narine throws the bat at it but ends up dragging the ball on his stumps via a thick inside edge. Narine can't do much with the bat in this game.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, WIDE! Jordan bangs it short again but this one goes way over Narine. Wided by the umpire.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, ! Nicely done! 100 up in style! Little short and outside off, Narine uses the pace of the bowler and guides it over the empty slip cordon. It races away to the third man fence.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, Outside off on a good length, pushed towards the point fielder.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, In the air... safe! Narine is up and running in a streaky manner. Short ball around middle, Narine goes for the pull but gets a top edge. It goes over mid-wicket and lands just outside the ring. Two taken.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, WIDE! Goes for the bumper against Narine straightaway but the line is down the leg side. Narine looks to pull but misses. Wided.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Change of pace now! It is just outside off, Gill reads it well and pushes it through point for one.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Nicely bowled! A very full ball outside off, Gill looks to dig it out but misses.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Outside off, this is guided through point for one. End of a wicket-taking over for Punjab.

Sunil Narine is in now.

Ravi Bishnoi to Eoin Morgan, ! TAKEN! The ploy to change from Ashwin to Bishnoi has worked! A much-needed wicket as Morgan and Gill were taking the game away from Punjab. This though is nicely struck by Morgan. He brings out the sweep and hits this on leg side nicely towards deep square leg. He though hits it flat. Murgan moves to his right and takes it nicely. A good innings from Morgan but he needed to go on. There is not a lot of batting to come now.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, On middle, this is pushed down to long off for one. Good batting.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, ! Gill is dealing in biggies now! The length is the problem here. It is a little too full. Gill just lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Ravi Bishnoi to Eoin Morgan, Tossed up outside off, it is dragged through mid-wicket for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Gill comes down the track but gets a little too close to the pitch of the delivery. It is hit down to long on for one.

Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack.

Chris Jordan to Eoin Morgan, End of a brilliant over from Jordan! It is on a length and around off, Morgan pushes it towards cover. Just the two from the over.

Chris Jordan to Eoin Morgan, Morgan now slashes and misses! This is short and outside off, Eoin looks to cut but is beaten for pace. This is a good over so far by Jordan.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Shorter and on middle, this is pulled down towards mid on for one.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, A slower one, fuller and outside off. Gill once again with no foot movement goes after it. It takes the inside edge and rolls to the left of Rahul who dives and stops it.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Loose! Shorter and outside off, Gill slashes at it but the ball goes past the outside edge. He played that with no foot movement.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, ! A biggie to end the over! Another big one for Kolkata! This is the googly, it is on off. Gill picks it and plays the slog sweep. He hits it really nicely and it goes all the way. Over the mid-wicket fence.

Chris Jordan to Eoin Morgan, A slower one on off, it is slapped through covers for one.

Chris Jordan is on.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Fuller and on middle, this is whipped but to mid-wicket.

Murugan Ashwin to Eoin Morgan, Shorter and outside off, this is cut through point for one.

Murugan Ashwin to Eoin Morgan, ! That is not right off the middle but it goes all the way. Morgan comes down the track but it seemed like he did not get to the pitch of it. He still goes ahead with the shot. It goes over the long on fence.

Murugan Ashwin to Eoin Morgan, On middle, it seems to be the googly, defended.

DRINKS! This is a brilliant fightback from Kolkata! They were three down for hardly anything but this stand has got them back into the game. Both Morgan and Gill have counter-attacked and the two are amidst an excellent partnership. They need to keep going. Punjab, on the other hand, will know a wicket and they will be into the bowling all-rounders. Stay tuned for what could be another exciting passage of play.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, On off, it is pushed down to long off for one.

Change in bowling! Here is Murugan Ashwin. One slip in place.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, ! Sailed over! Maxwell is not pleased with the effort in the deep though. A short ball down the leg side, Morgan swivels and pulls it powerfully towards fine leg. He hits it hard. There is a fielder near the ropes. He leaps high and tries to catch but it just sails over for a biggie. Another fine over for Kolkata.

Glenn Maxwell is back on. 1-0-9-1 are his figures so far.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, Shortish and outside off, punched towards the man at cover.

Glenn Maxwell to Shubman Gill, One more single! Flat and around middle, it is stroked through mid on for a single. 50-run stand is up between the two. Great counter-attack.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, Quicker one on middle, it is shortish too. Morgan tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, ! Morgan goes inside out! Tossed up and outside off, Morgan jumps out of his crease and lifts it over extra cover for a boundary.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, Flatter and around off, pushed towards the cover fielder.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, ! BOOM! Two in two for Gill and it is a strong end to the Powerplay for Kolkata! They finish with 54 on the board with the loss of 3 wickets. The last ball is a classic shot. It is full and on middle, Gill lofts it over the mid-wicket fence for a huge one.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, ! Stand and deliver stuff! Wow! What a shot that is. It is length and on middle, Gill stands tall and lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie. He joins the party.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, Good running! Morgan steps out and this is fuller and on middle, it is hit towards mid off for one.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, ! Brilliant timing! Morgan seems in very good touch. He is dealing in boundaries. This is short and outside off, Morgan waits and then guides it through backward point for a boundary.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, Brilliant from Shami! Excellent comeback! This is short and on middle, Morgan looks to pull but misses. He was beaten for pace.

Will Shami get another over? Yes, he continues. Aggressive from skipper KL Rahul. He wants his strike bowler to give him one more inside the Powerplay.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, ! Runs flowing now for Kolkata! Morgan on the charge. He gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it over the mid on fielder for a boundary.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, A single to end a very good over! On middle, it is worked towards wide mid on for one. 10 from the over.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, ! Crunched! Gill comes down the track and this is banged short and on middle. Gill goes ahead with the pull and cracks it over mid-wicket. No chance for any fielder.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, On the pads, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, ! EDGY! Morgan has decided to counter-attack! He steps out. Arshdeep bowls it wider and outside off. Morgan swings but it goes off the outside edge down to third man for a boundary. The third man fielder is quite wide and Rahul is not happy. It would have been an easy catch had he been in position.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, Quick run! On off, it is pushed towards mid off for one. The fielder rushes in and does have a shy at the non-striker's end but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, Back of a length and on off, it is guided towards point.

Do Punjab have another? The umpire thinks so but Karthik calls for the DRS straightaway. He didn't even think of having a word with his partner at the non-striker's end. Let's see what the replays show. Well, well, clear spike, says the third umpire. He checks another angle. There he finds that Karthik also hit the pad but when he did that, the ball was very close to the bat. So, no conclusive evidence to change the on-field verdict. Karthik has to go.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, Width on offer again but this is way too wide. Morgan throws his bat at it. It goes off the toe-end towards cover.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, Comes from around the wicket and bowls it shorter and around off, Morgan guides it towards point where the fielder dives to his right and stops it.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, ! Up and over! Width on offer and Morgan puts it away! First boundary for him. It is short and outside off. Morgan stands tall and cuts. It goes over point for a boundary.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Angled into the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Half a shout but nothing! This is full and angled into the pads, Gill looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. It rolls on the leg side. Gill wanted a run but is sent back.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Good length and on off, left alone.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, Morgan is off the mark! Good length and outside off, Morgan gives it a charge and tries to force it on the off side but the ball takes the inner half and goes through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, Around off on a good length, Morgan offers a fine block.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, Length ball just outside off, Morgan shoulders arms.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, This time he dabs it down to third man for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, WIDE! This one is pitched around off, it moves away little too much. Gill offers no shot again. Wided.

Who is in now? Eoin Morgan, Kolkata skipper, is the next batsman in. Also, Arshdeep Singh is into the attack.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, Corrects the line this time. Just outside off on a good length, going away. Gill lets it be.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, ! Welcome boundary for Kolkata. Arshdeep runs in and bowls a full ball on the pads, Gill flicks it through square leg and finds the fence.

Mohammed Shami to Dinesh Karthik, ! There is a spike as the ball passes the bat and Karthik is a goner! Yes, he did hit the pad too at the same time but there was no conclusive evidence to actually overturn the deicision. Shami has another one and Kolkata are staring down the barrel. This is top class stuff from Shami. He lands it on off and then gets it to move away nicely. Karthik lunges forward to defend but the ball kisses the outside edge and goes into the hands of the keeper. An ap

Mohammed Shami to Dinesh Karthik, Outside off, excellent line and length. Left alone.

Dinesh Karthik is the new man in.

Mohammed Shami to Rahul Tripathi, ! EDGED AND TAKEN! Shami now has one and Kolkata are in deep trouble here. This is a superb delivery. Perfect Test match length. It is on off and shapes away. Tripathi looks to defend but the ball kisses the outside edge and goes to the keeper. Rahul makes no mistake. Punjab are elated.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Brilliant from Maxwell! He looks up for this one. It is on a length and around off, it is pushed towards wide mid off for a single. Maxwell runs there, dives to his left and stops it.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Gets this one to jag back in from middle. The length is a touch shorter. Gill looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Length and outside off, it shapes away. Left alone. Good start by Shami.

Will it be pace from the other end? Yes. Here's Mohammed Shami.

Glenn Maxwell to Rahul Tripathi, A dot to end! This is fired on middle, Tripathi guides it to point. End of an action-packed over. 9 runs and a wicket from it.

Glenn Maxwell to Rahul Tripathi, ! That is right off the middle! One sighter is all what Tripathi needed. He goes down on one knee and slog sweeps this over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. First biggie of the game. It was with the turn. Excellent from Tripathi.

Glenn Maxwell to Shubman Gill, One more single! This is on middle, it is eased down to long on for one.

Glenn Maxwell to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi is off the mark! He works it through mid-wicket with the turn for one.

Who will walk out at no. 3? Rahul Tripathi it is.

Glenn Maxwell to Nitish Rana, ! TAKEN! Rana, the man for Kolkata in the last game, has gone for a golden duck. Maxwell has struck in the first over. It is not such a great delivery. It is flatter and down the leg side. Rana looks to sweep but there is a little extra bounce. It goes off the top edge and straight into the hands of the fielder at short fine leg. Gayle makes no mistake. Perfect start for Punjab.

Right! Done with the pre-game formalities and it is time for the action. Both the umpires stride out to the middle. KL Rahul has got his men in a huddle and he is sharing words of wisdom with them before they take their positions on the field. Shubhman Gill and Nitish Rana are the openers for Kolkata. Punjab will begin with spin as Glenn Maxwell will bowl the first over for them. Here we go...

Glenn Maxwell to Shubman Gill, Kolkata and Gill are underway! It is on the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

Pitch report - Simon Doull is in for the pitch report with Kumar Sangakkara. Doull feels that the wicket has not changed in over 30 years. Sangakkara feels that the wicket has got slower and the team which will bat first will struggle to figure out the par score. Adds that the side winning the toss will look to chase. Simon feels that dew might come in during the second innings and batting then will be easier. Sangakkara feels the slower balls will be crucial and also the back of a length delive

Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Eoin Morgan (C), Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy.

Punjab (Unchanged Playing XI) -  KL Rahul (WK/C), Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.

Kolkata skipper, Eoin Morgan, says that they wanted to bowl first as well, knowing that dew might come in. Says that they want to play the way they did against Delhi. Tells that Russell is still not available and they are unchanged as well.

Punjab skipper, KL Rahul says that they want to know a total and chase it down. States they have seen dew and it favors them in the second innings. Mentions winning gives them a lot of confidence and a lot of players want to now play better and better and the mood in the camp is really good. Further adds everybody has done a fantastic job and even the support staff has done really well so far and they are a big part of them doing well at the moment. Informs that they are playing the same team th

TOSS - It is time for the spin of the coin. Up it goes and it lands in KL Rahul's favor. PUNJAB WILL BOWL FIRST.

Hello all! Two teams fighting for the fourth spot in the playoffs go up against each other in Sharjah. Both teams are coming off a win in their previous game and are looking strong. Punjab though are on a resurgence as they have won 4 on the trot and have turned things around in a spectacular fashion. Their last win against Hyderabad would have boosted their confidence further. 

Kolkata, on the other hand, are coming off a morale-boosting win against Delhi. The thing that would have pleased them the most is the performance of Nitish Rana and Sunil Narine. Kolkata would want that they continue their performance and get their 7th win of the tournament and move one step closer to the playoffs. An interesting match coming up. 

A very good bowling effort from Punjab comes to an end! They had three within the first two overs courtesy Shami and Maxwell. Morgan and Gill then counter-attacked and blasted an 81-run stand which got Kolkata back in the game. Punjab though knew it was just the matter of one wicket before they could gain control of the game once again and that is exactly what happened. Bishnoi got Morgan and then the two leggies squeezed the runs and also picked up wickets. Gill was stranded at one end as he wa

The Punjab bowlers have done their job and they would surely expect their batters to do theirs. The Kolkata bowlers have their task cut out on a ground which is quite small and on a wicket which looks good. They will need wickets or it seems impossible for them to defend it. Punjab, on the other hand, will know, one partnership is all they need. If they bat sensibly, they will get to the target. Join us in a bit for the chase.

Murugan Ashwin is caught for a quick chat! On asked if there was turn on offer, Ashwin says that it wasn't turning at the start and feels they might have to go really hard in the first 10 overs. Says that the wrong 'un is coming off well. Tells that bowling full is not a good idea on this wicket.

Chris Jordan to Prasidh Krishna, DOT! Superb last ball and last over. Very full and following the batsman. Prasidh looks to slog it away on the leg side but misses. KOLKATA FINISH WITH 149/9!

Prasidh Krishna is the last man in.

Chris Jordan to Varun Chakravarthy, ! TIMBER! Too full and straight. Chakravarthy moves inside the crease and tries to scoop it over the keeper but misses. The ball though hits the target and the zing bails light up. Jordan gets his second of the night.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, Just a single! Very full again, drilled to long off for one.

Chris Jordan to Varun Chakravarthy, Full again, it is on middle, Varun flicks it to deep mid-wicket and takes a single. Ferguson wants the second but Maxwell is quick to the ball so they stay with just a single.

Chris Jordan to Varun Chakravarthy, Very full and on the pads, Varun looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pad. The ball goes towards fine leg. Before the fielder can get to the ball, they run a couple of leg byes.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, Full and outside off, drilled down to long off for a single.

Mohammed Shami to Lockie Ferguson, Ouch! A short ball on middle and leg, Ferguson looks to pull but misses to get hit high on the thigh pad. The ball rolls to square leg and they take a leg bye. Ferguson will keep the strike for the final over.

Mohammed Shami to Lockie Ferguson, ! TAKE THAT! What a shot! Gill was not giving strike for him and look what he is doing! Gets a full ball around off, he backs away to make room and drills it over extra cover for a flat six.

Mohammed Shami to Varun Chakravarthy, Full toss, Varun strokes it through covers and gets to the other end.

Varun Chakravarthy is the new batsman in.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, ! CAUGHT! Gill holes out! Shami gets his third of the night. A low full toss on middle and leg, Gill looks to flick it over the deep mid-wicket fence but it goes straight to the fielder there. Pooran is the man and he makes no mistake. A fine knock from Gill comes to an end.

Mohammed Shami to bowl the 19th over.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, A dot now! Very full and around off, Gill strokes it down to long on but denies the run. Interesting because Ferguson is playing on 16 off 9.

Mohammed Shami to Lockie Ferguson, single to start the penultimate over! Full and around off, Ferguson flicks it down to deep mid-wicket for one.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, One more single! Very full and around middle, Lockie flicks it through square leg and keeps the strike for the next over. 11 off this one.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, This time Gill connects his flick. A single as it goes to deep mid-wicket.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Huge appeal! But it has been turned down. Punjab don't have a review left. A low full toss on middle, Gill looks to flick but misses. He is hit on the pad. An appeal but it is turned down.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, A yorker now! Ferguson does well to keep it out towards long on for a single.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, ! Consecutive boundaries! Poor bowling though. Short and wide outside off, Ferguson flays it over backward point and finds the fence.

Chris Jordan to Lockie Ferguson, ! DRILLED! Full and wide outside off, Ferguson backs away a touch and drills it through extra cover for a boundary.

Chris Jordan is back on.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, ! Gill ends the over in a fine style! Full and outside off, he lifts it over extra cover and finds the fence.

Murugan Ashwin to Lockie Ferguson, A single now as this one is flicked through mid-wicket for one.

Murugan Ashwin to Lockie Ferguson, EDGY ! Flatter and just outside off, Ferguson goes back and looks to guide it towards third man. It takes the outside edge and races away to the third man fence.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, He takes a single this time. Flatter and outside off, forced towards long on for a run.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Goes for the reverse sweep this time but fails to connect.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Flatter and outside off, pushed to deep point. Gill denies the run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Lockie Ferguson, In the air... safe! Tossed up and outside off, Ferguson looks to slog but it goes off the toe end.

Ravi Bishnoi to Lockie Ferguson, Flatter and around middle, Ferguson looks to pull but mistimes it towards mid-wicket. It goes uppishly but lands well short of the man at deep mid-wicket. Gill says no for the single.

Lockie Ferguson is the new batsman in.

Ravi Bishnoi to Pat Cummins, ! LBW! Bishnoi gets his man. This looked to be going down but Cummins has to go because he cannot review it, because Karthik used it earlier. Another wrong 'un from Bishnoi. Cummins fails to read it again. He goes and looks to flick but misses as the ball turns in. He is hit on the pad and they all appeal. The finger goes up. Cummins thinks for the review but he doesn't have that option. They don't have the review left. And, replays roll in and it shows that

An appeal for an LBW! The umpire has turned it down but Bishnoi likes it. He wants the review but it is not taken.

Ravi Bishnoi to Pat Cummins, NOT ! It is going down leg! It was a poor review to be honest! It lands on middle and then turns in. It is the googly. Cummins looks to drive but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Rahul is not interested but Bishnoi wants the review to be taken. Rahul does so. Time for the replays and it shows the on-field call is the right one. Punjab lose a review.

Pat Cummins walks in next.

Ravi Bishnoi to Pat Cummins, Googly again, Cummins manages to block.

Ravi Bishnoi to Pat Cummins, Flatter and around off, pushed towards the off side.

Murugan Ashwin to Pat Cummins, The googly, it lands outside off and comes back in. Cummins looks to push it through the off side but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket for one. Brilliant over from Ashwin.

Murugan Ashwin to Pat Cummins, On middle, defended.

Murugan Ashwin to Pat Cummins, Full and around off, pushed towards the cover fielder.

Murugan Ashwin to Pat Cummins, Cummins had to put bat on ball there! It is on middle, it turns away a little. Cummins goes back and tries to keep it out. It goes off the outside edge to short third man.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, ! TIMBER! Murugan gets his man! Nagarkoti was really struggling against Ashwin and he falls to him. It is the googly. It lands outside off and then turns back in. Nagarkoti looks to play a drive through covers but leaves a big gap between bat and pad. The ball sneaks through and hits the stumps. This wicket though could well prove as a blessing in disguise for Kolkata as Nagarkoti was really wasting a lot of balls.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Tossed up on middle, it is pushed back to the left of the bowler.

DRINKS! Good comeback from Punjab so far, post that counter-attack from Gill and Morgan. Gill though is still out there and he will look to stay till the end to take the team towards a good score. Cummins is still to come and he too can explode and that would really help Kolkata get to a big total. Punjab, on the other hand, would like to see the back of Gill quickly. Let's see if they can do that or it will be Kolkata who will finish with a bang.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Tossed up on off, it is driven to covers.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Fifty for Gill! His 7th in the Indian T20 League. This is a very good innings from him but he needs to continue and take his side to a good total. His side is relying on him at the moment. This is on middle, it is worked through mid-wicket for two.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, On off, it is chipped over the bowler's head for a run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Tosses it up, nice and slow on the leg pole. Nagarkoti swings but it goes off the inside edge down towards fine leg for a couple.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Outside off, Gill guides it through covers for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, On off, it is pushed back to the bowler.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, A dot to end so just the two runs from the over. This is tossed up outside off, Nagarkoti looks to drive but it goes off the inner half towards short fine leg.

Murugan Ashwin is back on. 1-0-14-0 are his figures so far.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Shorter and outside off, it is pulled down to long on for one.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, In the air... safe! Nagarkoti did not read that at all! It is the leg spinner. It lands on middle. Nagarkoti looks to work it on the leg side which is against the turn. It goes off the leading edge over cover for one.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Wrong 'un this time. It pitches and sharply comes in. Nagarkoti somehow manages to keep it out.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Flatter and just outside off, Nagarkoti looks to cut but gets a bottom edge to the slip cordon.

Murugan Ashwin to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, On off, pushed back to the bowler.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Single to end the over. Flatter and on middle, Kamlesh tucks it towards deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike for the next over. 4 off the over.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Full and around middle, pushed down to long on for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Slower through the air and full and outside off, it is eased through covers for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Full and around off, knocked towards the off side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Tossed up and outside off, Nagarkoti looks to drive but gets an inside edge on the leg side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Flatter and around off, punched through cover for one.

Kamlesh Nagarkoti is the new batsman in.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, ! TIMBER! Excellent bowling from Jordan. He kept banging the ball short to Narine and this time he doesn't do that. Goes for a fullish ball outside off, Narine throws the bat at it but ends up dragging the ball on his stumps via a thick inside edge. Narine can't do much with the bat in this game.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, WIDE! Jordan bangs it short again but this one goes way over Narine. Wided by the umpire.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, ! Nicely done! 100 up in style! Little short and outside off, Narine uses the pace of the bowler and guides it over the empty slip cordon. It races away to the third man fence.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, Outside off on a good length, pushed towards the point fielder.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, In the air... safe! Narine is up and running in a streaky manner. Short ball around middle, Narine goes for the pull but gets a top edge. It goes over mid-wicket and lands just outside the ring. Two taken.

Chris Jordan to Sunil Narine, WIDE! Goes for the bumper against Narine straightaway but the line is down the leg side. Narine looks to pull but misses. Wided.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Change of pace now! It is just outside off, Gill reads it well and pushes it through point for one.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Nicely bowled! A very full ball outside off, Gill looks to dig it out but misses.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Outside off, this is guided through point for one. End of a wicket-taking over for Punjab.

Sunil Narine is in now.

Ravi Bishnoi to Eoin Morgan, ! TAKEN! The ploy to change from Ashwin to Bishnoi has worked! A much-needed wicket as Morgan and Gill were taking the game away from Punjab. This though is nicely struck by Morgan. He brings out the sweep and hits this on leg side nicely towards deep square leg. He though hits it flat. Murgan moves to his right and takes it nicely. A good innings from Morgan but he needed to go on. There is not a lot of batting to come now.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, On middle, this is pushed down to long off for one. Good batting.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, ! Gill is dealing in biggies now! The length is the problem here. It is a little too full. Gill just lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Ravi Bishnoi to Eoin Morgan, Tossed up outside off, it is dragged through mid-wicket for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Shubman Gill, Gill comes down the track but gets a little too close to the pitch of the delivery. It is hit down to long on for one.

Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack.

Chris Jordan to Eoin Morgan, End of a brilliant over from Jordan! It is on a length and around off, Morgan pushes it towards cover. Just the two from the over.

Chris Jordan to Eoin Morgan, Morgan now slashes and misses! This is short and outside off, Eoin looks to cut but is beaten for pace. This is a good over so far by Jordan.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Shorter and on middle, this is pulled down towards mid on for one.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, A slower one, fuller and outside off. Gill once again with no foot movement goes after it. It takes the inside edge and rolls to the left of Rahul who dives and stops it.

Chris Jordan to Shubman Gill, Loose! Shorter and outside off, Gill slashes at it but the ball goes past the outside edge. He played that with no foot movement.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, ! A biggie to end the over! Another big one for Kolkata! This is the googly, it is on off. Gill picks it and plays the slog sweep. He hits it really nicely and it goes all the way. Over the mid-wicket fence.

Chris Jordan to Eoin Morgan, A slower one on off, it is slapped through covers for one.

Chris Jordan is on.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Fuller and on middle, this is whipped but to mid-wicket.

Murugan Ashwin to Eoin Morgan, Shorter and outside off, this is cut through point for one.

Murugan Ashwin to Eoin Morgan, ! That is not right off the middle but it goes all the way. Morgan comes down the track but it seemed like he did not get to the pitch of it. He still goes ahead with the shot. It goes over the long on fence.

Murugan Ashwin to Eoin Morgan, On middle, it seems to be the googly, defended.

DRINKS! This is a brilliant fightback from Kolkata! They were three down for hardly anything but this stand has got them back into the game. Both Morgan and Gill have counter-attacked and the two are amidst an excellent partnership. They need to keep going. Punjab, on the other hand, will know a wicket and they will be into the bowling all-rounders. Stay tuned for what could be another exciting passage of play.

Murugan Ashwin to Shubman Gill, On off, it is pushed down to long off for one.

Change in bowling! Here is Murugan Ashwin. One slip in place.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, ! Sailed over! Maxwell is not pleased with the effort in the deep though. A short ball down the leg side, Morgan swivels and pulls it powerfully towards fine leg. He hits it hard. There is a fielder near the ropes. He leaps high and tries to catch but it just sails over for a biggie. Another fine over for Kolkata.

Glenn Maxwell is back on. 1-0-9-1 are his figures so far.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, Shortish and outside off, punched towards the man at cover.

Glenn Maxwell to Shubman Gill, One more single! Flat and around middle, it is stroked through mid on for a single. 50-run stand is up between the two. Great counter-attack.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, Quicker one on middle, it is shortish too. Morgan tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, ! Morgan goes inside out! Tossed up and outside off, Morgan jumps out of his crease and lifts it over extra cover for a boundary.

Glenn Maxwell to Eoin Morgan, Flatter and around off, pushed towards the cover fielder.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, ! BOOM! Two in two for Gill and it is a strong end to the Powerplay for Kolkata! They finish with 54 on the board with the loss of 3 wickets. The last ball is a classic shot. It is full and on middle, Gill lofts it over the mid-wicket fence for a huge one.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, ! Stand and deliver stuff! Wow! What a shot that is. It is length and on middle, Gill stands tall and lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie. He joins the party.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, Good running! Morgan steps out and this is fuller and on middle, it is hit towards mid off for one.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, ! Brilliant timing! Morgan seems in very good touch. He is dealing in boundaries. This is short and outside off, Morgan waits and then guides it through backward point for a boundary.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, Brilliant from Shami! Excellent comeback! This is short and on middle, Morgan looks to pull but misses. He was beaten for pace.

Will Shami get another over? Yes, he continues. Aggressive from skipper KL Rahul. He wants his strike bowler to give him one more inside the Powerplay.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, ! Runs flowing now for Kolkata! Morgan on the charge. He gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it over the mid on fielder for a boundary.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, A single to end a very good over! On middle, it is worked towards wide mid on for one. 10 from the over.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, ! Crunched! Gill comes down the track and this is banged short and on middle. Gill goes ahead with the pull and cracks it over mid-wicket. No chance for any fielder.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, On the pads, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, ! EDGY! Morgan has decided to counter-attack! He steps out. Arshdeep bowls it wider and outside off. Morgan swings but it goes off the outside edge down to third man for a boundary. The third man fielder is quite wide and Rahul is not happy. It would have been an easy catch had he been in position.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, Quick run! On off, it is pushed towards mid off for one. The fielder rushes in and does have a shy at the non-striker's end but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, Back of a length and on off, it is guided towards point.

Do Punjab have another? The umpire thinks so but Karthik calls for the DRS straightaway. He didn't even think of having a word with his partner at the non-striker's end. Let's see what the replays show. Well, well, clear spike, says the third umpire. He checks another angle. There he finds that Karthik also hit the pad but when he did that, the ball was very close to the bat. So, no conclusive evidence to change the on-field verdict. Karthik has to go.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, Width on offer again but this is way too wide. Morgan throws his bat at it. It goes off the toe-end towards cover.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, Comes from around the wicket and bowls it shorter and around off, Morgan guides it towards point where the fielder dives to his right and stops it.

Mohammed Shami to Eoin Morgan, ! Up and over! Width on offer and Morgan puts it away! First boundary for him. It is short and outside off. Morgan stands tall and cuts. It goes over point for a boundary.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Angled into the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Half a shout but nothing! This is full and angled into the pads, Gill looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. It rolls on the leg side. Gill wanted a run but is sent back.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Good length and on off, left alone.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, Morgan is off the mark! Good length and outside off, Morgan gives it a charge and tries to force it on the off side but the ball takes the inner half and goes through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, Around off on a good length, Morgan offers a fine block.

Arshdeep Singh to Eoin Morgan, Length ball just outside off, Morgan shoulders arms.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, This time he dabs it down to third man for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, WIDE! This one is pitched around off, it moves away little too much. Gill offers no shot again. Wided.

Who is in now? Eoin Morgan, Kolkata skipper, is the next batsman in. Also, Arshdeep Singh is into the attack.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, Corrects the line this time. Just outside off on a good length, going away. Gill lets it be.

Arshdeep Singh to Shubman Gill, ! Welcome boundary for Kolkata. Arshdeep runs in and bowls a full ball on the pads, Gill flicks it through square leg and finds the fence.

Mohammed Shami to Dinesh Karthik, ! There is a spike as the ball passes the bat and Karthik is a goner! Yes, he did hit the pad too at the same time but there was no conclusive evidence to actually overturn the deicision. Shami has another one and Kolkata are staring down the barrel. This is top class stuff from Shami. He lands it on off and then gets it to move away nicely. Karthik lunges forward to defend but the ball kisses the outside edge and goes into the hands of the keeper. An ap

Mohammed Shami to Dinesh Karthik, Outside off, excellent line and length. Left alone.

Dinesh Karthik is the new man in.

Mohammed Shami to Rahul Tripathi, ! EDGED AND TAKEN! Shami now has one and Kolkata are in deep trouble here. This is a superb delivery. Perfect Test match length. It is on off and shapes away. Tripathi looks to defend but the ball kisses the outside edge and goes to the keeper. Rahul makes no mistake. Punjab are elated.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Brilliant from Maxwell! He looks up for this one. It is on a length and around off, it is pushed towards wide mid off for a single. Maxwell runs there, dives to his left and stops it.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Gets this one to jag back in from middle. The length is a touch shorter. Gill looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.

Mohammed Shami to Shubman Gill, Length and outside off, it shapes away. Left alone. Good start by Shami.

Will it be pace from the other end? Yes. Here's Mohammed Shami.

Glenn Maxwell to Rahul Tripathi, A dot to end! This is fired on middle, Tripathi guides it to point. End of an action-packed over. 9 runs and a wicket from it.

Glenn Maxwell to Rahul Tripathi, ! That is right off the middle! One sighter is all what Tripathi needed. He goes down on one knee and slog sweeps this over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. First biggie of the game. It was with the turn. Excellent from Tripathi.

Glenn Maxwell to Shubman Gill, One more single! This is on middle, it is eased down to long on for one.

Glenn Maxwell to Rahul Tripathi, Tripathi is off the mark! He works it through mid-wicket with the turn for one.

Who will walk out at no. 3? Rahul Tripathi it is.

Glenn Maxwell to Nitish Rana, ! TAKEN! Rana, the man for Kolkata in the last game, has gone for a golden duck. Maxwell has struck in the first over. It is not such a great delivery. It is flatter and down the leg side. Rana looks to sweep but there is a little extra bounce. It goes off the top edge and straight into the hands of the fielder at short fine leg. Gayle makes no mistake. Perfect start for Punjab.

Right! Done with the pre-game formalities and it is time for the action. Both the umpires stride out to the middle. KL Rahul has got his men in a huddle and he is sharing words of wisdom with them before they take their positions on the field. Shubhman Gill and Nitish Rana are the openers for Kolkata. Punjab will begin with spin as Glenn Maxwell will bowl the first over for them. Here we go...

Glenn Maxwell to Shubman Gill, Kolkata and Gill are underway! It is on the pads, it is worked through square leg for one.

Pitch report - Simon Doull is in for the pitch report with Kumar Sangakkara. Doull feels that the wicket has not changed in over 30 years. Sangakkara feels that the wicket has got slower and the team which will bat first will struggle to figure out the par score. Adds that the side winning the toss will look to chase. Simon feels that dew might come in during the second innings and batting then will be easier. Sangakkara feels the slower balls will be crucial and also the back of a length delive

Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Eoin Morgan (C), Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy.

Punjab (Unchanged Playing XI) -  KL Rahul (WK/C), Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.

Kolkata skipper, Eoin Morgan, says that they wanted to bowl first as well, knowing that dew might come in. Says that they want to play the way they did against Delhi. Tells that Russell is still not available and they are unchanged as well.

Punjab skipper, KL Rahul says that they want to know a total and chase it down. States they have seen dew and it favors them in the second innings. Mentions winning gives them a lot of confidence and a lot of players want to now play better and better and the mood in the camp is really good. Further adds everybody has done a fantastic job and even the support staff has done really well so far and they are a big part of them doing well at the moment. Informs that they are playing the same team th

TOSS - It is time for the spin of the coin. Up it goes and it lands in KL Rahul's favor. PUNJAB WILL BOWL FIRST.

Hello all! Two teams fighting for the fourth spot in the playoffs go up against each other in Sharjah. Both teams are coming off a win in their previous game and are looking strong. Punjab though are on a resurgence as they have won 4 on the trot and have turned things around in a spectacular fashion. Their last win against Hyderabad would have boosted their confidence further. 

Kolkata, on the other hand, are coming off a morale-boosting win against Delhi. The thing that would have pleased them the most is the performance of Nitish Rana and Sunil Narine. Kolkata would want that they continue their performance and get their 7th win of the tournament and move one step closer to the playoffs. An interesting match coming up.