We are back for the chase. The players of Bangalore are out in the middle.
... The Chase...
Earlier, Bangalore were happy despite losing the toss as they got to do what they anyway wanted. The start with the bat was not ideal after Virat Kohli got out cheaply but the 70-run stand between Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar took the innings forward at a steady pace. Once Faf was dismissed, Glenn Maxwell came out and batted with intent, and Bangalore looked set for a big finish. However, Trent Boult and Ravichandran Ashwin removed both the set batters in the final over of their spells to st
Right then, 157 runs on the board, although below-par, it's still challenging with the surface offering extra bounce. Bangalore have some great bowlers in their ranks to utilize the conditions to their advantage. By no means this game is over. Should be a cracker of a chase with the ticket to the finale on the line. Stay tuned...
Obed McCoy (4-0-23-3) comes up for a quick word. The West Indian says that the wicket has extra bounce and is seaming as well. Adds that he was very focused for this match and worked in the nets after not having a good last game. Tells that he loves the challenge of bowling in the end overs. Feels that their batters have to watch the ball a bit longer and play the normal shots. He has a great feeling that they will chase this easily.
What a fall! Bangalore's innings nosedived at the backend! They lost 5 wickets for just 34 runs in the last five overs. It was an exceptional bowling display at the death from Rajasthan, and they have restricted the star-studded Bangalore batting line-up to a gettable total on this surface.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Two runs to end the innings! Fuller again, on off. Ahmed strokes it to long off and calls for a couple of runs. He completes the second run safely with an incredible dive. Bangalore end on 157/8.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Too full and on off. Ahmed gets low and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. Ahmed is halfway down for a run but Josh Hazlewood sends him back. Rightly, so. Shahbaz Ahmed has a better chance of hitting the last ball for a boundary.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Serves it short and outside off. Ahmed looks to slash at it but misses.
Obed McCoy to Josh Hazlewood, Fuller again, around off. Josh Hazlewood pushes it to backward point for a single.
Obed McCoy to Josh Hazlewood, Fuller ball, outside off. Josh Hazlewood looks to drive but misses.
Josh Hazlewood is the number 10 batter.
Obed McCoy to Harshal Patel, ! BOWLED! Yet another wicket falls. Obed McCoy has been superb this evening. Clever change in pace once more. A length ball, around off. Harshal Patel steps way across the stumps and tries to lap it over but fails to connect. The stumps are disturbed.
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, A yorker, around leg. Ahmed fails to squeeze it out. Dot to end the over.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! Slow again but it was on a length this time, around off. Ahmed swings across and connects cleanly to dismiss it over long on for a biggie. Crucial runs for Bangalore.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, This is slow and on a length, around off. Ahmed steps forward and plays it back to the bowler. Krishna has shy at the striker's end but misses.
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, Wide! A sharp bouncer, slanting on middle. Ahmed leaves it. Good take from Sanju Samson, behind the sticks.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Harshal Patel, A length ball, outside off. Patel hits it aerially but well wide of the man at covers. A single.
Harshal Patel is the new batter to face the hat-trick ball.
Prasidh Krishna to Wanindu Hasaranga, ! TIMBER! Two in two for Prasidh Krishna! Wonderful follow-up ball to Hasaranga! Nails the yorker, on middle at 147.6 kph. Wanindu Hasaranga tries to squeeze it out but fails to get his bat down quickly and the ball goes on to shatter the stumps. Prasidh Krishna is on a hat-trick!
Wanindu Hasaranga walks in next.
Prasidh Krishna to Dinesh Karthik, ! CAUGHT! Dinesh Karthik goes! Big, big wicket this for Rajasthan as we all know how dangerous DK can be at the backend! A length ball, around off, it holds a bit in the surface. Dinesh Karthik tries to loft it through the line of the ball but mistimes it completely and Riyan Parag takes a sitter at long on.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl the penultimate over.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Off-pace this time, short and outside off. Ahmed swings across but misses. 7Â runs and a wicket off this over.Â
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! Much needed! Short ball, way outside off. Ahmed frees his arms and hits it flat over covers for a boundary.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Wide! Full ball but over the tramline. Ahmed leaves.
Shahbaz Ahmed joins DK in the middle.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, ! TAKEN! Mahipal Lomror was struggling to hit and departs now! The true bounce is helping the bowlers quite nicely! Short of a length, slower in pace and outside off. Lomror tries to cut it away but spoons it instead to point where Ravichandran Ashwin moves across to his left and takes an easy catch. Once again, the onus is on Dinesh Karthik to propel Bangalore's total in the end overs.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, Good bowling from McCoy! A length ball, around off. Lomror pre-meditates and shuffles across as he tries to paddle it away but fails to connect.
Obed McCoy to Dinesh Karthik, A low dipping full toss, on middle. Karthik hangs back and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.
Change in bowling. Obed McCoy (2-0-13-1)Â returns to bowl at the death.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, Short in length and outside off. Mahipal plays it along the ground and to sweeper cover for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Two runs taken, still a tidy over from Chahal! Slightly full, outside off. Karthik cuts it to deep point for a brace. Not the best of spells from Chahal!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Short and around off. Lomror slaps it to deep cover for another single. Five singles off the over till now.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Karthik shuffles in his crease and Chahal serves it full and quicker. It is hit to long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, On middle, drilled down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Floats this one, on middle. Karthik sweeps it aerially and to deep square leg where Boult does the sweeping work. A single.
Rajat Patidar is caught at the edge of the rope. Jos Buttler has taken it. The onfield umpire though wants to get it checked. It's clean, Rajasthan have dismissed the danger man.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, A low full toss, on the pads, swept to short fine leg and the batters take a quick single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, TAP AND RUN! Tossed up, around off. Lomror gets low and knocks it to point for a quick single. Ashwin ends his spell with the big wicket of Patidar.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, ! TAKEN! Superb catch from Jos Buttler in the deep and that is the end of a fine knock from the man in form, Rajat Patidar! Flatter ball, length and outside off, Patidar stands tall and tries to loft it over long off but fails to power this time. Buttler stations himself near the rope and calmly takes the catch over his head. To be on the safer side, he lobs the ball as the momentum was taking him close to the rope, and then catches it again. T
Ravichandran Ashwin to Dinesh Karthik, Tossed up, outside off. Karthik drives it to deep point for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Dinesh Karthik, Flighted, outside off, spinning in. Karthik pushes it to point.
Strategic break. Yet another timely breakthrough for Rajasthan. They have got rid of both Maxwell and Patidar in quick succession and have the chance to limit the damage in the end overs. That said, here comes Dinesh Karthik, arguably the best finisher of the season.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, ! MUSCLED! Too full from Ashwin, around middle and leg. Patidar clears his front leg and dispatches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, Tossed up, quicker around leg. Lomror flicks it wide of long on for a single.
Change in bowling! Ravichandran Ashwin is back on.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, ! Fifty for Rajat Patidar and he continues his merry way! This young man is showing the talent to bat under pressure. Tossed up, full and outside off, Rajat Patidar goes down the ground and smashes it over long off for a biggie.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Too full and around leg, Mahipal Lomror sweeps it through backward square leg for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fuller and on off, Rajat firmly hits it straight back and his partner ducks at the other end. It goes down to long on and they cross.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! This time Chahal fires it down the leg side. Rajat Patidar leaves again.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Turning away from the outside off, very wide, Rajat leaves.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Flighted and around off, Mahipal Lomror goes on the back foot and eases it down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Short and wide outside off, Rajat Patidar slaps it down to long off and takes a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fuller and on off, driven back to the bowler.
Mahipal Lomror comes in.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, ! SPLENDID CATCH! Trent Boult has done the job on the last ball of his spell. He has removed the dangerous Aussie. Boult digs it in short, around leg at 110.1 kph, Glenn Maxwell hangs on the back foot to pull but it takes the bottom half of his bat and flies towards fine leg. It's dying in front of Obed McCoy who does well to go down low and snap it inches above the surface. A timely breakthrough for Rajasthan!
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Sharp delivery, short and around leg, Glenn Maxwell clears his front leg and swings his bat at it but fails to connect again.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Swing and a miss! Short in length and outside off, slower in pace, Glenn Maxwell tries his best to power his reverse-batted shot but fails to connect.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Boult nails his yorker outside off, Glenn Maxwell digs it out to covers.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, EXCELLENT FIELDING! Short in length, close to off, Maxwell goes back to create room and whacks it through point. It speeds away to the fence but Shimron Hetmyer intervenes with a dive and stops it from touching the rope. The third umpire is referred and the replays confirm that the West Indian has saved one run for his team.
Trent Boult to Rajat Patidar, Fuller in length on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.
Trent Boult to bowl his final over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish and on middle, Glenn Maxwell goes back and forces it to wide long on for one. 15 from the over, 26 from Chahal's two. He has not been allowed to settle down so far.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, ! Another boundary for Glenn Maxwell but again the connection was not crisp. Flighted and around off, turning away, Glenn Maxwell brings out the reverse-batted shot and it flies off the shoulder of the bat. Clears short third man and speeds away to the fence.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fine shot but only for a run. Full and flighted, outside off, Rajat Patidar sweeps it to deep mid-wicket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Chahal again goes quicker through the air but delivers it way wide outside off. Rajat leaves.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, Quicker and around leg, hit down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, ! JUST OVER! Short in length, around off, Maxwell camps back and goes for the pull shot. He doesn't get it from the middle of the bat and it flies over mid-wicket. Shimron Hetmyer jumps at the edge of the fence but it just eludes his hands. Risk pays off this time for the Aussie.
Yuzvendra Chahal is back into the attack. Went for 11 runs in his first over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Quicker through the air, a touch short and on middle, Rajat forces it down to long off and takes a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Slightly short and on off, Rajat Patidar punches it off the back foot to sweeper cover. Takes a single. 11 from the over.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, Tossed up, full and on middle, Maxwell pushes it down through mid off and picks up a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Skidding down the leg side, Patidar turns it behind square leg and rotates the strike.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, Maxwell steps back and Ashwin follows him with a flatter delivery. It's eased down to long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, ! Boom! Flighted delivery, it's too full though, outside off, Glenn Maxwell attacks it and muscles it over the bowler's head for a maximum.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Floated and around off, Rajat Patidar helps it gently to mid-wicket and crosses for a run.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, A low full toss on middle, Rajat nudges it through mid-wicket and retains strike.
Obed McCoy to Glenn Maxwell, That's a nasty welcome to Glenn Maxwell. A well-directed bouncer, Maxwell fends it off uncomfortably to square leg. It goes in the gap and they cross for a run.Â
Glenn Maxwell is the new man in.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, ! CAUGHT! Rajat Patidar escaped but Faf du Plessis doesn't have the same luck. Obed McCoy delivers it a shade fuller, around off, Faf du Plessis hangs deep inside the crease and attempts to power it through the line. But it takes the outside edge and flies towards Ravichandran Ashwin at short third man who jumps and takes a fine catch over his head. The dangerous stand has been broken.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Shortish and outside off, angling away, Faf du Plessis flashes his bat at it but fails to connect.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, On a length and around leg. Patidar works it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, ! Lucky runs! Back of a length and on top of off. Rajat Patidar makes room and looks to cut but the ball bounces extra and takes the outside edge. It speeds past short third man. No chance for the man there. A boundary.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shorter and on off. Rajat Patidar pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter ball, on off. Rajat Patidar mistimes his pull wide of long on and the ball falls well short of the fielder there. A single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Slides it on the pads, it is flicked to deep mid-wicket for one more.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shout for an lbw! Not given. Ravichandran Ashwin is interested and Sanju Samson goes for the referral. Flighted delivery, a carrom ball around leg, Rajat Patidar fails to work it around and is hit on the pads. They appeal but the finger stays down. DRS is taken. No bat is involved and the Ball Tracker shows that the impact is outside the line of the leg stump.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shorter and outside off, a bit quicker. Patidar cuts it but straight to backward point.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Darted on the pads. Rajat Patidar wrists it to mid-wicket with soft hands and comes back for the second run with ease.Â
Strategic break. It's been steady going from Bangalore after losing Virat Kohli early. Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar have formed an alliance which is worth 60 runs at the moment. Rajasthan will be feeling some pressure now as these two batters are able to switch gears at any time. Both offered a chance when they were on 13 but Rajasthan failed to cash in. Can they pull things back in the middle period?
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Drops it short and on off, it is pulled away to long on for a single.Â
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Chahal tries to stay away from the arc but bowls it way outside off. Rajat Patidar leaves it alone.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Length ball around off. Faf du Plessis pushes it to covers for a single. Another slight fumble there.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, On middle, Rajat works it to down towards long on for a single.Â
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, ! What a shot! Chahal flights this one, in the slot and Rajat Patidar stays back to muscle it over long on for a huge biggie. He loves to play down the ground and Chahal served him a freebie there.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Tossed up, full and around off. Faf du Plessis drives it on the up and to long off for a single. The 50-run stand comes up!
Spin from both ends now. The leading wicket-taker of this season, Yuzvendra Chahal, comes into the attack.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Very full and around middle and off, it is pushed straight to the cover fielder.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Now targets the stumps and Faf nudges it to deep mid-wicket for one more. Rajasthan have done well to bowl two quite overs in a row.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Floats this one, fuller and outside off, spins a bit away. Faf du Plessis leans and looks to drive but misses. Good stuff from Ashwin.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter, on a length and just around off. Rajat Patidar works it through covers for a single.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Ashwin slides this one down the leg side. Rajat Patidar lets it through for a wide.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, On middle, eased down to long on for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter, outside off, slower this time. Patidar punches it to extra cover where Shimron Hetmyer dives but fails to make a clean stop. He parries it towards mid off and they cross for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Tossed up, around off. Faf du Plessis turns it to long on for a run.
Time for some spin! Ravichandran Ashwin is in action now.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Fuller ball on middle. Faf du Plessis uses his wrists and hits it to deep mid-wicket. Thinks of two but settles with a single. 6 runs off the over!
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, Around off, on a length. Patidar punches it to the right of mid off and rotates the strike.Â
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Touch fuller and around off. Faf du Plessis rocks back and drops it to covers with gentle hands for a quick single. 50 up for Bangalore!
Change in bowling. Obed McCoy to run in now...
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, On middle, on a length. Patidar glances it in front of square on the leg side for a single.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, Length ball, outside off. Rajat mistimes his shot on the off side.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, A length ball, angling outside off. Rajat Patidar slaps it to deep cover-point and Yuzvendra Chahal runs to his left in the deep, dives and does brilliantly to save a couple of runs.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Outside off, on a length, it's driven to point. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangalore are 46/1.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! Riyan Parag is the culprit and he has dropped a prized wicket. Short in length and outside off. Rajat Patidar opens the face of the bat and tries to slap through the line but spoons it straight to backward point. Riyan Parag drops a dolly over his head and parries it away for a single. Both batters have got a life each now. Will that cost Rajasthan?
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! This is even better! Krishna drags his length back and keeps it outside off. Rajat Patidar punches off the back foot and hits it through covers for a boundary. Timed it really well there.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! This is a shot from a man who is full of confidence! A length ball, outside off. Patidar hangs back and punches it past point for a boundary.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Length and on middle, it is tucked straight to the man at mid-wicket.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Bangs a pacy bouncer, around off. Patidar tries to ramp it away but misses. Samson collects it at a very good height.Â
Change in bowling? Nope, Prasidh Krishna will bowl another one.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! Shot! Short in length and outside off, Faf du Plessis hangs on the back foot and whacks it through extra cover for a cracking boundary. 12 from the over!
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! A tough chance for Samson goes begging. Back of a length, around leg, Faf du Plessis tries to glance it across the line but gloves it behind. Sanju Samson dives across to his left but it takes his fingertips and scoots behind for a boundary at fine leg.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Shortish and on off, shaping in, Faf is cramped for room and ends up pushing it defensively towards the bowler.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Boult goes fuller but the line is around leg, Faf takes a step down and wrists it through square leg for a couple of runs.
Trent Boult to Rajat Patidar, Fraction short and outside off, Patidar uses the angle of the bowler and dabs it down to third man for one.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Fuller in length and outside off, Faf du Plessis drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a run.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Slightly fuller this time, outside off, Rajat Patidar drives but finds the fielder at wide mid off.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Angling in, on a length, it's defended from the back foot to the leg side.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, In the zone outside off, left alone.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, BYES! That's so unlucky for the bowler. It's a peach of a delivery. Prasidh Krishna clocks 148 kph and delivers it on a length around off. It lands and jags back in to beat the inside edge and keeps on swinging away from the diving keeper. A boundary at fine leg results.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, A touch short again, outside off, Rajat Patidar plays late but finds the backward point fielder.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! Short in length and outside off, Rajat Patidar stands tall inside the crease and throws his bat at it. It takes a thick outside edge and flies over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, A cracking yorker from Boult. It's swerving into the batter, around middle, Faf du Plessis does well to have his bat down in time as he digs it out safely to square leg.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Too full and around off, du Plessis drills his drive but finds the mid off fielder.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! Poor line and length from the Kiwi on this occasion and he pays for it. Serves it full and wide outside off, Faf du Plessis gets the chance to free his arms and pumps it over covers for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Presses forward and pushes a full ball to covers.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Another delivery on off, du Plessis stays back to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It deflects to covers and Rajat Patidar comes out in search of a run. He is sent back as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end.
Rajat Patidar is the new batter in. He is fresh from a sublime century and would look to play another crucial knock here.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Excellent line from Trent Boult. Serves it on a length around off, gets it to bend back in a bit, Faf is caught inside the crease as he blocks.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, LEG BYES! Wrong line from Prasidh Krishna. Slips a length ball down the leg side, it beats Patidar's bat, clips his thigh pad and races away to the fine leg fence.
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, ! EDGED AND GONE! That line to Kohli outside off has worked. Back of a length, around off and shaping away with some extra bounce. Virat Kohli sticks on the back foot and has a lazy waft inside the line. It takes the outside edge and Sanju Samson holds on to the catch. Kohli departs much to the disappointment of the capacity crowd. Needless to say, this is a big breakthrough for Rajasthan but they can't afford to relax as Bangalore have an in-form battin
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Length delivery around off, angling in, Kohli defends it from the front foot.
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Lands it on a good length and in the channel outside off, this one holds its line and Kohli shoulders arms.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, ! Virat Kohli advances down the track and makes his intentions clear. Boult hurls across a length ball around off, Virat shimmies down the track and dismisses it in front of square on the leg side for a biggie. The crowd erupts.
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Around leg, helped behind square leg for a single.
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Prasidh Krishna goes very full and in the line of the stumps, du Plessis tries flicking but misses. He is rapped on the pads, the bowler appeals but the umpire turns it down. Two noises there, it's of the ball hitting both the pads, shows the replay. Would have missed the leg stump, anyway.Â
Who will bowl from the other end? It is Prasidh Krishna.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Angling away from the batter, outside off, Kohli taps it down to point and looks for a run but is sent back.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, That's the line and length. Around off, with a good seam position, the ball nips back in a shade, Kohli covers his stumps and makes a watchful leave.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Serves it on a length and around leg, du Plessis eases it down to fine leg for a single.
Halt in play! Looks like we already have a pitch invader.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Kohli is away with a single and the crowd roars! Boult delivers it on a length around leg, Virat works it behind square leg and crosses for a run. The throw comes towards the bowler's end and deflects off Kohli's leg. He decides not to take advantage of it.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, The Kiwi speeds in and delivers a length ball in the channel outside off. It lands and goes on with the angle as Kohli allows it through to the keeper.
We are all set for Qualifier 2! Out come the Rajasthan players and so are the openers of Bangalore - Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. Trent Boult to start with the ball. Here we go...
Faf du Plessis, the captain of Bangalore, says that he would have batted anyway as it looks like a good wicket. Feels that runs on the board in a big game are always crucial. Adds that they have rested well and turned up fresh. Mentions that it's quite big for the team to reach this stage and they are only a game away. He wants his boys to keep doing the right things. Further adds that it's an amazing ground, and it's incredible to play in front of so many people.
Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan, says that they want to bowl first as the pitch looks a bit sticky and hopes that it will help his bowlers. Shares that they had a good practice session and everyone is happy and chilled out. Tells that it's an unbelievable atmosphere here and everyone is excited about the game. Further says that everyone is connected to the team and they want to play good cricket and put smiles on the faces of the fans. Feels that it's important to keep calm and cut the
Bangalore (Unchanged playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (C), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj.
TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favour of Rajasthan. They have elected to BOWL first!
Rajasthan have been doing great things in this edition. At the start, not many would have given them the tag of favourites, but they earned it with their consistent display. Jos Buttler has been the nucleus of their batting, but it has its advantages and disadvantages. Jos' failure often led to Rajasthan's failure, and in a team sport, this should be avoided. Their batting depth doesn't offer much confidence, and that puts extra pressure on the top order. This area will be under the scanner this
Pitch report - Matthew Hayden is near the playing area and starts by saying that this place is amazing and over 100,000 people are expected to watch this game in the stadium. Adds that the boundaries are not as big as the ground looks but the boundary pockets are a little bit bigger. Shares that it's been too hot out there and the groundsmen have done well to prepare a pitch which is devoid of any cracks and it has an even covering of grass. The Aussie feels that it's a good one for batting and
Bangalore received a big lifeline from Mumbai to get a backdoor entry into the playoffs, but they earned one for themselves by edging out Lucknow. They have reached this stage but are yet to hit the top gear. There is a lot more they can achieve as a batting group, and against the bowling arsenal of Rajasthan, the famed Bangalore batting will have to put its best foot forward. Kohli and du Plessis versus Boult, Maxwell and Karthik versus the spin duo of Ashwin and Chahal, Buttler versus Hazlewoo
All roads will lead to the Narendra Modi Stadium - the venue for the last two games of the season. This is the place where the endgame will begin in a short while. Considered to be the largest stadium in the world, it's going to be jam-packed and excitement will be touching the roof. Let's see how the pitch is expected to play...
... Match Day ...
Here we go! After experiencing all the ups and downs of the season, going through the excitement and thrill of the league stage, facing loss and receiving favours, Rajasthan and Bangalore are standing at the cusp of booking their ticket to the finale. Plenty riding on this all-important Qualifier 2, and the change in venue will add more drama and challenges. Are you ready to witness this mega clash? We surely are, as we welcome you all for the coverage. Stay tuned for more...
We are back for the chase. The players of Bangalore are out in the middle.
... The Chase...
Earlier, Bangalore were happy despite losing the toss as they got to do what they anyway wanted. The start with the bat was not ideal after Virat Kohli got out cheaply but the 70-run stand between Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar took the innings forward at a steady pace. Once Faf was dismissed, Glenn Maxwell came out and batted with intent, and Bangalore looked set for a big finish. However, Trent Boult and Ravichandran Ashwin removed both the set batters in the final over of their spells to st
Right then, 157 runs on the board, although below-par, it's still challenging with the surface offering extra bounce. Bangalore have some great bowlers in their ranks to utilize the conditions to their advantage. By no means this game is over. Should be a cracker of a chase with the ticket to the finale on the line. Stay tuned...
Obed McCoy (4-0-23-3) comes up for a quick word. The West Indian says that the wicket has extra bounce and is seaming as well. Adds that he was very focused for this match and worked in the nets after not having a good last game. Tells that he loves the challenge of bowling in the end overs. Feels that their batters have to watch the ball a bit longer and play the normal shots. He has a great feeling that they will chase this easily.
What a fall! Bangalore's innings nosedived at the backend! They lost 5 wickets for just 34 runs in the last five overs. It was an exceptional bowling display at the death from Rajasthan, and they have restricted the star-studded Bangalore batting line-up to a gettable total on this surface.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Two runs to end the innings! Fuller again, on off. Ahmed strokes it to long off and calls for a couple of runs. He completes the second run safely with an incredible dive. Bangalore end on 157/8.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Too full and on off. Ahmed gets low and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. Ahmed is halfway down for a run but Josh Hazlewood sends him back. Rightly, so. Shahbaz Ahmed has a better chance of hitting the last ball for a boundary.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Serves it short and outside off. Ahmed looks to slash at it but misses.
Obed McCoy to Josh Hazlewood, Fuller again, around off. Josh Hazlewood pushes it to backward point for a single.
Obed McCoy to Josh Hazlewood, Fuller ball, outside off. Josh Hazlewood looks to drive but misses.
Josh Hazlewood is the number 10 batter.
Obed McCoy to Harshal Patel, ! BOWLED! Yet another wicket falls. Obed McCoy has been superb this evening. Clever change in pace once more. A length ball, around off. Harshal Patel steps way across the stumps and tries to lap it over but fails to connect. The stumps are disturbed.
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, A yorker, around leg. Ahmed fails to squeeze it out. Dot to end the over.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! Slow again but it was on a length this time, around off. Ahmed swings across and connects cleanly to dismiss it over long on for a biggie. Crucial runs for Bangalore.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, This is slow and on a length, around off. Ahmed steps forward and plays it back to the bowler. Krishna has shy at the striker's end but misses.
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, Wide! A sharp bouncer, slanting on middle. Ahmed leaves it. Good take from Sanju Samson, behind the sticks.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Harshal Patel, A length ball, outside off. Patel hits it aerially but well wide of the man at covers. A single.
Harshal Patel is the new batter to face the hat-trick ball.
Prasidh Krishna to Wanindu Hasaranga, ! TIMBER! Two in two for Prasidh Krishna! Wonderful follow-up ball to Hasaranga! Nails the yorker, on middle at 147.6 kph. Wanindu Hasaranga tries to squeeze it out but fails to get his bat down quickly and the ball goes on to shatter the stumps. Prasidh Krishna is on a hat-trick!
Wanindu Hasaranga walks in next.
Prasidh Krishna to Dinesh Karthik, ! CAUGHT! Dinesh Karthik goes! Big, big wicket this for Rajasthan as we all know how dangerous DK can be at the backend! A length ball, around off, it holds a bit in the surface. Dinesh Karthik tries to loft it through the line of the ball but mistimes it completely and Riyan Parag takes a sitter at long on.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl the penultimate over.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Off-pace this time, short and outside off. Ahmed swings across but misses. 7Â runs and a wicket off this over.Â
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! Much needed! Short ball, way outside off. Ahmed frees his arms and hits it flat over covers for a boundary.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Wide! Full ball but over the tramline. Ahmed leaves.
Shahbaz Ahmed joins DK in the middle.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, ! TAKEN! Mahipal Lomror was struggling to hit and departs now! The true bounce is helping the bowlers quite nicely! Short of a length, slower in pace and outside off. Lomror tries to cut it away but spoons it instead to point where Ravichandran Ashwin moves across to his left and takes an easy catch. Once again, the onus is on Dinesh Karthik to propel Bangalore's total in the end overs.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, Good bowling from McCoy! A length ball, around off. Lomror pre-meditates and shuffles across as he tries to paddle it away but fails to connect.
Obed McCoy to Dinesh Karthik, A low dipping full toss, on middle. Karthik hangs back and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.
Change in bowling. Obed McCoy (2-0-13-1)Â returns to bowl at the death.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, Short in length and outside off. Mahipal plays it along the ground and to sweeper cover for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Two runs taken, still a tidy over from Chahal! Slightly full, outside off. Karthik cuts it to deep point for a brace. Not the best of spells from Chahal!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Short and around off. Lomror slaps it to deep cover for another single. Five singles off the over till now.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Karthik shuffles in his crease and Chahal serves it full and quicker. It is hit to long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, On middle, drilled down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Floats this one, on middle. Karthik sweeps it aerially and to deep square leg where Boult does the sweeping work. A single.
Rajat Patidar is caught at the edge of the rope. Jos Buttler has taken it. The onfield umpire though wants to get it checked. It's clean, Rajasthan have dismissed the danger man.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, A low full toss, on the pads, swept to short fine leg and the batters take a quick single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, TAP AND RUN! Tossed up, around off. Lomror gets low and knocks it to point for a quick single. Ashwin ends his spell with the big wicket of Patidar.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, ! TAKEN! Superb catch from Jos Buttler in the deep and that is the end of a fine knock from the man in form, Rajat Patidar! Flatter ball, length and outside off, Patidar stands tall and tries to loft it over long off but fails to power this time. Buttler stations himself near the rope and calmly takes the catch over his head. To be on the safer side, he lobs the ball as the momentum was taking him close to the rope, and then catches it again. T
Ravichandran Ashwin to Dinesh Karthik, Tossed up, outside off. Karthik drives it to deep point for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Dinesh Karthik, Flighted, outside off, spinning in. Karthik pushes it to point.
Strategic break. Yet another timely breakthrough for Rajasthan. They have got rid of both Maxwell and Patidar in quick succession and have the chance to limit the damage in the end overs. That said, here comes Dinesh Karthik, arguably the best finisher of the season.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, ! MUSCLED! Too full from Ashwin, around middle and leg. Patidar clears his front leg and dispatches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, Tossed up, quicker around leg. Lomror flicks it wide of long on for a single.
Change in bowling! Ravichandran Ashwin is back on.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, ! Fifty for Rajat Patidar and he continues his merry way! This young man is showing the talent to bat under pressure. Tossed up, full and outside off, Rajat Patidar goes down the ground and smashes it over long off for a biggie.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Too full and around leg, Mahipal Lomror sweeps it through backward square leg for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fuller and on off, Rajat firmly hits it straight back and his partner ducks at the other end. It goes down to long on and they cross.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! This time Chahal fires it down the leg side. Rajat Patidar leaves again.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Turning away from the outside off, very wide, Rajat leaves.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Flighted and around off, Mahipal Lomror goes on the back foot and eases it down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Short and wide outside off, Rajat Patidar slaps it down to long off and takes a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fuller and on off, driven back to the bowler.
Mahipal Lomror comes in.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, ! SPLENDID CATCH! Trent Boult has done the job on the last ball of his spell. He has removed the dangerous Aussie. Boult digs it in short, around leg at 110.1 kph, Glenn Maxwell hangs on the back foot to pull but it takes the bottom half of his bat and flies towards fine leg. It's dying in front of Obed McCoy who does well to go down low and snap it inches above the surface. A timely breakthrough for Rajasthan!
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Sharp delivery, short and around leg, Glenn Maxwell clears his front leg and swings his bat at it but fails to connect again.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Swing and a miss! Short in length and outside off, slower in pace, Glenn Maxwell tries his best to power his reverse-batted shot but fails to connect.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Boult nails his yorker outside off, Glenn Maxwell digs it out to covers.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, EXCELLENT FIELDING! Short in length, close to off, Maxwell goes back to create room and whacks it through point. It speeds away to the fence but Shimron Hetmyer intervenes with a dive and stops it from touching the rope. The third umpire is referred and the replays confirm that the West Indian has saved one run for his team.
Trent Boult to Rajat Patidar, Fuller in length on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.
Trent Boult to bowl his final over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish and on middle, Glenn Maxwell goes back and forces it to wide long on for one. 15 from the over, 26 from Chahal's two. He has not been allowed to settle down so far.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, ! Another boundary for Glenn Maxwell but again the connection was not crisp. Flighted and around off, turning away, Glenn Maxwell brings out the reverse-batted shot and it flies off the shoulder of the bat. Clears short third man and speeds away to the fence.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fine shot but only for a run. Full and flighted, outside off, Rajat Patidar sweeps it to deep mid-wicket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Chahal again goes quicker through the air but delivers it way wide outside off. Rajat leaves.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, Quicker and around leg, hit down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, ! JUST OVER! Short in length, around off, Maxwell camps back and goes for the pull shot. He doesn't get it from the middle of the bat and it flies over mid-wicket. Shimron Hetmyer jumps at the edge of the fence but it just eludes his hands. Risk pays off this time for the Aussie.
Yuzvendra Chahal is back into the attack. Went for 11 runs in his first over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Quicker through the air, a touch short and on middle, Rajat forces it down to long off and takes a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Slightly short and on off, Rajat Patidar punches it off the back foot to sweeper cover. Takes a single. 11 from the over.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, Tossed up, full and on middle, Maxwell pushes it down through mid off and picks up a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Skidding down the leg side, Patidar turns it behind square leg and rotates the strike.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, Maxwell steps back and Ashwin follows him with a flatter delivery. It's eased down to long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, ! Boom! Flighted delivery, it's too full though, outside off, Glenn Maxwell attacks it and muscles it over the bowler's head for a maximum.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Floated and around off, Rajat Patidar helps it gently to mid-wicket and crosses for a run.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, A low full toss on middle, Rajat nudges it through mid-wicket and retains strike.
Obed McCoy to Glenn Maxwell, That's a nasty welcome to Glenn Maxwell. A well-directed bouncer, Maxwell fends it off uncomfortably to square leg. It goes in the gap and they cross for a run.Â
Glenn Maxwell is the new man in.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, ! CAUGHT! Rajat Patidar escaped but Faf du Plessis doesn't have the same luck. Obed McCoy delivers it a shade fuller, around off, Faf du Plessis hangs deep inside the crease and attempts to power it through the line. But it takes the outside edge and flies towards Ravichandran Ashwin at short third man who jumps and takes a fine catch over his head. The dangerous stand has been broken.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Shortish and outside off, angling away, Faf du Plessis flashes his bat at it but fails to connect.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, On a length and around leg. Patidar works it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, ! Lucky runs! Back of a length and on top of off. Rajat Patidar makes room and looks to cut but the ball bounces extra and takes the outside edge. It speeds past short third man. No chance for the man there. A boundary.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shorter and on off. Rajat Patidar pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter ball, on off. Rajat Patidar mistimes his pull wide of long on and the ball falls well short of the fielder there. A single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Slides it on the pads, it is flicked to deep mid-wicket for one more.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shout for an lbw! Not given. Ravichandran Ashwin is interested and Sanju Samson goes for the referral. Flighted delivery, a carrom ball around leg, Rajat Patidar fails to work it around and is hit on the pads. They appeal but the finger stays down. DRS is taken. No bat is involved and the Ball Tracker shows that the impact is outside the line of the leg stump.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shorter and outside off, a bit quicker. Patidar cuts it but straight to backward point.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Darted on the pads. Rajat Patidar wrists it to mid-wicket with soft hands and comes back for the second run with ease.Â
Strategic break. It's been steady going from Bangalore after losing Virat Kohli early. Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar have formed an alliance which is worth 60 runs at the moment. Rajasthan will be feeling some pressure now as these two batters are able to switch gears at any time. Both offered a chance when they were on 13 but Rajasthan failed to cash in. Can they pull things back in the middle period?
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Drops it short and on off, it is pulled away to long on for a single.Â
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Chahal tries to stay away from the arc but bowls it way outside off. Rajat Patidar leaves it alone.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Length ball around off. Faf du Plessis pushes it to covers for a single. Another slight fumble there.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, On middle, Rajat works it to down towards long on for a single.Â
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, ! What a shot! Chahal flights this one, in the slot and Rajat Patidar stays back to muscle it over long on for a huge biggie. He loves to play down the ground and Chahal served him a freebie there.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Tossed up, full and around off. Faf du Plessis drives it on the up and to long off for a single. The 50-run stand comes up!
Spin from both ends now. The leading wicket-taker of this season, Yuzvendra Chahal, comes into the attack.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Very full and around middle and off, it is pushed straight to the cover fielder.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Now targets the stumps and Faf nudges it to deep mid-wicket for one more. Rajasthan have done well to bowl two quite overs in a row.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Floats this one, fuller and outside off, spins a bit away. Faf du Plessis leans and looks to drive but misses. Good stuff from Ashwin.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter, on a length and just around off. Rajat Patidar works it through covers for a single.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Ashwin slides this one down the leg side. Rajat Patidar lets it through for a wide.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, On middle, eased down to long on for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter, outside off, slower this time. Patidar punches it to extra cover where Shimron Hetmyer dives but fails to make a clean stop. He parries it towards mid off and they cross for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Tossed up, around off. Faf du Plessis turns it to long on for a run.
Time for some spin! Ravichandran Ashwin is in action now.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Fuller ball on middle. Faf du Plessis uses his wrists and hits it to deep mid-wicket. Thinks of two but settles with a single. 6 runs off the over!
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, Around off, on a length. Patidar punches it to the right of mid off and rotates the strike.Â
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Touch fuller and around off. Faf du Plessis rocks back and drops it to covers with gentle hands for a quick single. 50 up for Bangalore!
Change in bowling. Obed McCoy to run in now...
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, On middle, on a length. Patidar glances it in front of square on the leg side for a single.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, Length ball, outside off. Rajat mistimes his shot on the off side.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, A length ball, angling outside off. Rajat Patidar slaps it to deep cover-point and Yuzvendra Chahal runs to his left in the deep, dives and does brilliantly to save a couple of runs.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Outside off, on a length, it's driven to point. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangalore are 46/1.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! Riyan Parag is the culprit and he has dropped a prized wicket. Short in length and outside off. Rajat Patidar opens the face of the bat and tries to slap through the line but spoons it straight to backward point. Riyan Parag drops a dolly over his head and parries it away for a single. Both batters have got a life each now. Will that cost Rajasthan?
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! This is even better! Krishna drags his length back and keeps it outside off. Rajat Patidar punches off the back foot and hits it through covers for a boundary. Timed it really well there.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! This is a shot from a man who is full of confidence! A length ball, outside off. Patidar hangs back and punches it past point for a boundary.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Length and on middle, it is tucked straight to the man at mid-wicket.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Bangs a pacy bouncer, around off. Patidar tries to ramp it away but misses. Samson collects it at a very good height.Â
Change in bowling? Nope, Prasidh Krishna will bowl another one.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! Shot! Short in length and outside off, Faf du Plessis hangs on the back foot and whacks it through extra cover for a cracking boundary. 12 from the over!
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! A tough chance for Samson goes begging. Back of a length, around leg, Faf du Plessis tries to glance it across the line but gloves it behind. Sanju Samson dives across to his left but it takes his fingertips and scoots behind for a boundary at fine leg.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Shortish and on off, shaping in, Faf is cramped for room and ends up pushing it defensively towards the bowler.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Boult goes fuller but the line is around leg, Faf takes a step down and wrists it through square leg for a couple of runs.
Trent Boult to Rajat Patidar, Fraction short and outside off, Patidar uses the angle of the bowler and dabs it down to third man for one.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Fuller in length and outside off, Faf du Plessis drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a run.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Slightly fuller this time, outside off, Rajat Patidar drives but finds the fielder at wide mid off.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Angling in, on a length, it's defended from the back foot to the leg side.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, In the zone outside off, left alone.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, BYES! That's so unlucky for the bowler. It's a peach of a delivery. Prasidh Krishna clocks 148 kph and delivers it on a length around off. It lands and jags back in to beat the inside edge and keeps on swinging away from the diving keeper. A boundary at fine leg results.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, A touch short again, outside off, Rajat Patidar plays late but finds the backward point fielder.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! Short in length and outside off, Rajat Patidar stands tall inside the crease and throws his bat at it. It takes a thick outside edge and flies over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, A cracking yorker from Boult. It's swerving into the batter, around middle, Faf du Plessis does well to have his bat down in time as he digs it out safely to square leg.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Too full and around off, du Plessis drills his drive but finds the mid off fielder.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! Poor line and length from the Kiwi on this occasion and he pays for it. Serves it full and wide outside off, Faf du Plessis gets the chance to free his arms and pumps it over covers for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Presses forward and pushes a full ball to covers.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Another delivery on off, du Plessis stays back to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It deflects to covers and Rajat Patidar comes out in search of a run. He is sent back as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end.
Rajat Patidar is the new batter in. He is fresh from a sublime century and would look to play another crucial knock here.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Excellent line from Trent Boult. Serves it on a length around off, gets it to bend back in a bit, Faf is caught inside the crease as he blocks.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, LEG BYES! Wrong line from Prasidh Krishna. Slips a length ball down the leg side, it beats Patidar's bat, clips his thigh pad and races away to the fine leg fence.
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, ! EDGED AND GONE! That line to Kohli outside off has worked. Back of a length, around off and shaping away with some extra bounce. Virat Kohli sticks on the back foot and has a lazy waft inside the line. It takes the outside edge and Sanju Samson holds on to the catch. Kohli departs much to the disappointment of the capacity crowd. Needless to say, this is a big breakthrough for Rajasthan but they can't afford to relax as Bangalore have an in-form battin
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Length delivery around off, angling in, Kohli defends it from the front foot.
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Lands it on a good length and in the channel outside off, this one holds its line and Kohli shoulders arms.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, ! Virat Kohli advances down the track and makes his intentions clear. Boult hurls across a length ball around off, Virat shimmies down the track and dismisses it in front of square on the leg side for a biggie. The crowd erupts.
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Around leg, helped behind square leg for a single.
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Prasidh Krishna goes very full and in the line of the stumps, du Plessis tries flicking but misses. He is rapped on the pads, the bowler appeals but the umpire turns it down. Two noises there, it's of the ball hitting both the pads, shows the replay. Would have missed the leg stump, anyway.Â
Who will bowl from the other end? It is Prasidh Krishna.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Angling away from the batter, outside off, Kohli taps it down to point and looks for a run but is sent back.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, That's the line and length. Around off, with a good seam position, the ball nips back in a shade, Kohli covers his stumps and makes a watchful leave.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Serves it on a length and around leg, du Plessis eases it down to fine leg for a single.
Halt in play! Looks like we already have a pitch invader.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Kohli is away with a single and the crowd roars! Boult delivers it on a length around leg, Virat works it behind square leg and crosses for a run. The throw comes towards the bowler's end and deflects off Kohli's leg. He decides not to take advantage of it.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, The Kiwi speeds in and delivers a length ball in the channel outside off. It lands and goes on with the angle as Kohli allows it through to the keeper.
We are all set for Qualifier 2! Out come the Rajasthan players and so are the openers of Bangalore - Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. Trent Boult to start with the ball. Here we go...
Faf du Plessis, the captain of Bangalore, says that he would have batted anyway as it looks like a good wicket. Feels that runs on the board in a big game are always crucial. Adds that they have rested well and turned up fresh. Mentions that it's quite big for the team to reach this stage and they are only a game away. He wants his boys to keep doing the right things. Further adds that it's an amazing ground, and it's incredible to play in front of so many people.
Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan, says that they want to bowl first as the pitch looks a bit sticky and hopes that it will help his bowlers. Shares that they had a good practice session and everyone is happy and chilled out. Tells that it's an unbelievable atmosphere here and everyone is excited about the game. Further says that everyone is connected to the team and they want to play good cricket and put smiles on the faces of the fans. Feels that it's important to keep calm and cut the
Bangalore (Unchanged playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (C), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj.
TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favour of Rajasthan. They have elected to BOWL first!
Rajasthan have been doing great things in this edition. At the start, not many would have given them the tag of favourites, but they earned it with their consistent display. Jos Buttler has been the nucleus of their batting, but it has its advantages and disadvantages. Jos' failure often led to Rajasthan's failure, and in a team sport, this should be avoided. Their batting depth doesn't offer much confidence, and that puts extra pressure on the top order. This area will be under the scanner this
Pitch report - Matthew Hayden is near the playing area and starts by saying that this place is amazing and over 100,000 people are expected to watch this game in the stadium. Adds that the boundaries are not as big as the ground looks but the boundary pockets are a little bit bigger. Shares that it's been too hot out there and the groundsmen have done well to prepare a pitch which is devoid of any cracks and it has an even covering of grass. The Aussie feels that it's a good one for batting and
Bangalore received a big lifeline from Mumbai to get a backdoor entry into the playoffs, but they earned one for themselves by edging out Lucknow. They have reached this stage but are yet to hit the top gear. There is a lot more they can achieve as a batting group, and against the bowling arsenal of Rajasthan, the famed Bangalore batting will have to put its best foot forward. Kohli and du Plessis versus Boult, Maxwell and Karthik versus the spin duo of Ashwin and Chahal, Buttler versus Hazlewoo
All roads will lead to the Narendra Modi Stadium - the venue for the last two games of the season. This is the place where the endgame will begin in a short while. Considered to be the largest stadium in the world, it's going to be jam-packed and excitement will be touching the roof. Let's see how the pitch is expected to play...
... Match Day ...
Here we go! After experiencing all the ups and downs of the season, going through the excitement and thrill of the league stage, facing loss and receiving favours, Rajasthan and Bangalore are standing at the cusp of booking their ticket to the finale. Plenty riding on this all-important Qualifier 2, and the change in venue will add more drama and challenges. Are you ready to witness this mega clash? We surely are, as we welcome you all for the coverage. Stay tuned for more...
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5
Diabytes
Rajasthan Royals
161/3(18.1 Overs)
We are back for the chase. The players of Bangalore are out in the middle.
... The Chase...
Earlier, Bangalore were happy despite losing the toss as they got to do what they anyway wanted. The start with the bat was not ideal after Virat Kohli got out cheaply but the 70-run stand between Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar took the innings forward at a steady pace. Once Faf was dismissed, Glenn Maxwell came out and batted with intent, and Bangalore looked set for a big finish. However, Trent Boult and Ravichandran Ashwin removed both the set batters in the final over of their spells to st
Right then, 157 runs on the board, although below-par, it's still challenging with the surface offering extra bounce. Bangalore have some great bowlers in their ranks to utilize the conditions to their advantage. By no means this game is over. Should be a cracker of a chase with the ticket to the finale on the line. Stay tuned...
Obed McCoy (4-0-23-3) comes up for a quick word. The West Indian says that the wicket has extra bounce and is seaming as well. Adds that he was very focused for this match and worked in the nets after not having a good last game. Tells that he loves the challenge of bowling in the end overs. Feels that their batters have to watch the ball a bit longer and play the normal shots. He has a great feeling that they will chase this easily.
What a fall! Bangalore's innings nosedived at the backend! They lost 5 wickets for just 34 runs in the last five overs. It was an exceptional bowling display at the death from Rajasthan, and they have restricted the star-studded Bangalore batting line-up to a gettable total on this surface.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Two runs to end the innings! Fuller again, on off. Ahmed strokes it to long off and calls for a couple of runs. He completes the second run safely with an incredible dive. Bangalore end on 157/8.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Too full and on off. Ahmed gets low and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. Ahmed is halfway down for a run but Josh Hazlewood sends him back. Rightly, so. Shahbaz Ahmed has a better chance of hitting the last ball for a boundary.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Serves it short and outside off. Ahmed looks to slash at it but misses.
Obed McCoy to Josh Hazlewood, Fuller again, around off. Josh Hazlewood pushes it to backward point for a single.
Obed McCoy to Josh Hazlewood, Fuller ball, outside off. Josh Hazlewood looks to drive but misses.
Josh Hazlewood is the number 10 batter.
Obed McCoy to Harshal Patel, ! BOWLED! Yet another wicket falls. Obed McCoy has been superb this evening. Clever change in pace once more. A length ball, around off. Harshal Patel steps way across the stumps and tries to lap it over but fails to connect. The stumps are disturbed.
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, A yorker, around leg. Ahmed fails to squeeze it out. Dot to end the over.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! Slow again but it was on a length this time, around off. Ahmed swings across and connects cleanly to dismiss it over long on for a biggie. Crucial runs for Bangalore.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, This is slow and on a length, around off. Ahmed steps forward and plays it back to the bowler. Krishna has shy at the striker's end but misses.
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, Wide! A sharp bouncer, slanting on middle. Ahmed leaves it. Good take from Sanju Samson, behind the sticks.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Harshal Patel, A length ball, outside off. Patel hits it aerially but well wide of the man at covers. A single.
Harshal Patel is the new batter to face the hat-trick ball.
Prasidh Krishna to Wanindu Hasaranga, ! TIMBER! Two in two for Prasidh Krishna! Wonderful follow-up ball to Hasaranga! Nails the yorker, on middle at 147.6 kph. Wanindu Hasaranga tries to squeeze it out but fails to get his bat down quickly and the ball goes on to shatter the stumps. Prasidh Krishna is on a hat-trick!
Wanindu Hasaranga walks in next.
Prasidh Krishna to Dinesh Karthik, ! CAUGHT! Dinesh Karthik goes! Big, big wicket this for Rajasthan as we all know how dangerous DK can be at the backend! A length ball, around off, it holds a bit in the surface. Dinesh Karthik tries to loft it through the line of the ball but mistimes it completely and Riyan Parag takes a sitter at long on.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl the penultimate over.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Off-pace this time, short and outside off. Ahmed swings across but misses. 7Â runs and a wicket off this over.Â
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! Much needed! Short ball, way outside off. Ahmed frees his arms and hits it flat over covers for a boundary.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Wide! Full ball but over the tramline. Ahmed leaves.
Shahbaz Ahmed joins DK in the middle.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, ! TAKEN! Mahipal Lomror was struggling to hit and departs now! The true bounce is helping the bowlers quite nicely! Short of a length, slower in pace and outside off. Lomror tries to cut it away but spoons it instead to point where Ravichandran Ashwin moves across to his left and takes an easy catch. Once again, the onus is on Dinesh Karthik to propel Bangalore's total in the end overs.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, Good bowling from McCoy! A length ball, around off. Lomror pre-meditates and shuffles across as he tries to paddle it away but fails to connect.
Obed McCoy to Dinesh Karthik, A low dipping full toss, on middle. Karthik hangs back and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.
Change in bowling. Obed McCoy (2-0-13-1)Â returns to bowl at the death.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, Short in length and outside off. Mahipal plays it along the ground and to sweeper cover for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Two runs taken, still a tidy over from Chahal! Slightly full, outside off. Karthik cuts it to deep point for a brace. Not the best of spells from Chahal!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Short and around off. Lomror slaps it to deep cover for another single. Five singles off the over till now.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Karthik shuffles in his crease and Chahal serves it full and quicker. It is hit to long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, On middle, drilled down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Floats this one, on middle. Karthik sweeps it aerially and to deep square leg where Boult does the sweeping work. A single.
Rajat Patidar is caught at the edge of the rope. Jos Buttler has taken it. The onfield umpire though wants to get it checked. It's clean, Rajasthan have dismissed the danger man.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, A low full toss, on the pads, swept to short fine leg and the batters take a quick single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, TAP AND RUN! Tossed up, around off. Lomror gets low and knocks it to point for a quick single. Ashwin ends his spell with the big wicket of Patidar.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, ! TAKEN! Superb catch from Jos Buttler in the deep and that is the end of a fine knock from the man in form, Rajat Patidar! Flatter ball, length and outside off, Patidar stands tall and tries to loft it over long off but fails to power this time. Buttler stations himself near the rope and calmly takes the catch over his head. To be on the safer side, he lobs the ball as the momentum was taking him close to the rope, and then catches it again. T
Ravichandran Ashwin to Dinesh Karthik, Tossed up, outside off. Karthik drives it to deep point for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Dinesh Karthik, Flighted, outside off, spinning in. Karthik pushes it to point.
Strategic break. Yet another timely breakthrough for Rajasthan. They have got rid of both Maxwell and Patidar in quick succession and have the chance to limit the damage in the end overs. That said, here comes Dinesh Karthik, arguably the best finisher of the season.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, ! MUSCLED! Too full from Ashwin, around middle and leg. Patidar clears his front leg and dispatches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, Tossed up, quicker around leg. Lomror flicks it wide of long on for a single.
Change in bowling! Ravichandran Ashwin is back on.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, ! Fifty for Rajat Patidar and he continues his merry way! This young man is showing the talent to bat under pressure. Tossed up, full and outside off, Rajat Patidar goes down the ground and smashes it over long off for a biggie.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Too full and around leg, Mahipal Lomror sweeps it through backward square leg for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fuller and on off, Rajat firmly hits it straight back and his partner ducks at the other end. It goes down to long on and they cross.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! This time Chahal fires it down the leg side. Rajat Patidar leaves again.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Turning away from the outside off, very wide, Rajat leaves.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Flighted and around off, Mahipal Lomror goes on the back foot and eases it down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Short and wide outside off, Rajat Patidar slaps it down to long off and takes a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fuller and on off, driven back to the bowler.
Mahipal Lomror comes in.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, ! SPLENDID CATCH! Trent Boult has done the job on the last ball of his spell. He has removed the dangerous Aussie. Boult digs it in short, around leg at 110.1 kph, Glenn Maxwell hangs on the back foot to pull but it takes the bottom half of his bat and flies towards fine leg. It's dying in front of Obed McCoy who does well to go down low and snap it inches above the surface. A timely breakthrough for Rajasthan!
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Sharp delivery, short and around leg, Glenn Maxwell clears his front leg and swings his bat at it but fails to connect again.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Swing and a miss! Short in length and outside off, slower in pace, Glenn Maxwell tries his best to power his reverse-batted shot but fails to connect.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Boult nails his yorker outside off, Glenn Maxwell digs it out to covers.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, EXCELLENT FIELDING! Short in length, close to off, Maxwell goes back to create room and whacks it through point. It speeds away to the fence but Shimron Hetmyer intervenes with a dive and stops it from touching the rope. The third umpire is referred and the replays confirm that the West Indian has saved one run for his team.
Trent Boult to Rajat Patidar, Fuller in length on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.
Trent Boult to bowl his final over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish and on middle, Glenn Maxwell goes back and forces it to wide long on for one. 15 from the over, 26 from Chahal's two. He has not been allowed to settle down so far.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, ! Another boundary for Glenn Maxwell but again the connection was not crisp. Flighted and around off, turning away, Glenn Maxwell brings out the reverse-batted shot and it flies off the shoulder of the bat. Clears short third man and speeds away to the fence.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fine shot but only for a run. Full and flighted, outside off, Rajat Patidar sweeps it to deep mid-wicket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Chahal again goes quicker through the air but delivers it way wide outside off. Rajat leaves.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, Quicker and around leg, hit down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, ! JUST OVER! Short in length, around off, Maxwell camps back and goes for the pull shot. He doesn't get it from the middle of the bat and it flies over mid-wicket. Shimron Hetmyer jumps at the edge of the fence but it just eludes his hands. Risk pays off this time for the Aussie.
Yuzvendra Chahal is back into the attack. Went for 11 runs in his first over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Quicker through the air, a touch short and on middle, Rajat forces it down to long off and takes a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Slightly short and on off, Rajat Patidar punches it off the back foot to sweeper cover. Takes a single. 11 from the over.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, Tossed up, full and on middle, Maxwell pushes it down through mid off and picks up a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Skidding down the leg side, Patidar turns it behind square leg and rotates the strike.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, Maxwell steps back and Ashwin follows him with a flatter delivery. It's eased down to long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, ! Boom! Flighted delivery, it's too full though, outside off, Glenn Maxwell attacks it and muscles it over the bowler's head for a maximum.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Floated and around off, Rajat Patidar helps it gently to mid-wicket and crosses for a run.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, A low full toss on middle, Rajat nudges it through mid-wicket and retains strike.
Obed McCoy to Glenn Maxwell, That's a nasty welcome to Glenn Maxwell. A well-directed bouncer, Maxwell fends it off uncomfortably to square leg. It goes in the gap and they cross for a run.Â
Glenn Maxwell is the new man in.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, ! CAUGHT! Rajat Patidar escaped but Faf du Plessis doesn't have the same luck. Obed McCoy delivers it a shade fuller, around off, Faf du Plessis hangs deep inside the crease and attempts to power it through the line. But it takes the outside edge and flies towards Ravichandran Ashwin at short third man who jumps and takes a fine catch over his head. The dangerous stand has been broken.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Shortish and outside off, angling away, Faf du Plessis flashes his bat at it but fails to connect.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, On a length and around leg. Patidar works it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, ! Lucky runs! Back of a length and on top of off. Rajat Patidar makes room and looks to cut but the ball bounces extra and takes the outside edge. It speeds past short third man. No chance for the man there. A boundary.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shorter and on off. Rajat Patidar pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter ball, on off. Rajat Patidar mistimes his pull wide of long on and the ball falls well short of the fielder there. A single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Slides it on the pads, it is flicked to deep mid-wicket for one more.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shout for an lbw! Not given. Ravichandran Ashwin is interested and Sanju Samson goes for the referral. Flighted delivery, a carrom ball around leg, Rajat Patidar fails to work it around and is hit on the pads. They appeal but the finger stays down. DRS is taken. No bat is involved and the Ball Tracker shows that the impact is outside the line of the leg stump.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shorter and outside off, a bit quicker. Patidar cuts it but straight to backward point.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Darted on the pads. Rajat Patidar wrists it to mid-wicket with soft hands and comes back for the second run with ease.Â
Strategic break. It's been steady going from Bangalore after losing Virat Kohli early. Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar have formed an alliance which is worth 60 runs at the moment. Rajasthan will be feeling some pressure now as these two batters are able to switch gears at any time. Both offered a chance when they were on 13 but Rajasthan failed to cash in. Can they pull things back in the middle period?
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Drops it short and on off, it is pulled away to long on for a single.Â
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Chahal tries to stay away from the arc but bowls it way outside off. Rajat Patidar leaves it alone.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Length ball around off. Faf du Plessis pushes it to covers for a single. Another slight fumble there.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, On middle, Rajat works it to down towards long on for a single.Â
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, ! What a shot! Chahal flights this one, in the slot and Rajat Patidar stays back to muscle it over long on for a huge biggie. He loves to play down the ground and Chahal served him a freebie there.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Tossed up, full and around off. Faf du Plessis drives it on the up and to long off for a single. The 50-run stand comes up!
Spin from both ends now. The leading wicket-taker of this season, Yuzvendra Chahal, comes into the attack.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Very full and around middle and off, it is pushed straight to the cover fielder.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Now targets the stumps and Faf nudges it to deep mid-wicket for one more. Rajasthan have done well to bowl two quite overs in a row.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Floats this one, fuller and outside off, spins a bit away. Faf du Plessis leans and looks to drive but misses. Good stuff from Ashwin.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter, on a length and just around off. Rajat Patidar works it through covers for a single.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Ashwin slides this one down the leg side. Rajat Patidar lets it through for a wide.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, On middle, eased down to long on for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter, outside off, slower this time. Patidar punches it to extra cover where Shimron Hetmyer dives but fails to make a clean stop. He parries it towards mid off and they cross for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Tossed up, around off. Faf du Plessis turns it to long on for a run.
Time for some spin! Ravichandran Ashwin is in action now.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Fuller ball on middle. Faf du Plessis uses his wrists and hits it to deep mid-wicket. Thinks of two but settles with a single. 6 runs off the over!
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, Around off, on a length. Patidar punches it to the right of mid off and rotates the strike.Â
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Touch fuller and around off. Faf du Plessis rocks back and drops it to covers with gentle hands for a quick single. 50 up for Bangalore!
Change in bowling. Obed McCoy to run in now...
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, On middle, on a length. Patidar glances it in front of square on the leg side for a single.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, Length ball, outside off. Rajat mistimes his shot on the off side.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, A length ball, angling outside off. Rajat Patidar slaps it to deep cover-point and Yuzvendra Chahal runs to his left in the deep, dives and does brilliantly to save a couple of runs.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Outside off, on a length, it's driven to point. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangalore are 46/1.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! Riyan Parag is the culprit and he has dropped a prized wicket. Short in length and outside off. Rajat Patidar opens the face of the bat and tries to slap through the line but spoons it straight to backward point. Riyan Parag drops a dolly over his head and parries it away for a single. Both batters have got a life each now. Will that cost Rajasthan?
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! This is even better! Krishna drags his length back and keeps it outside off. Rajat Patidar punches off the back foot and hits it through covers for a boundary. Timed it really well there.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! This is a shot from a man who is full of confidence! A length ball, outside off. Patidar hangs back and punches it past point for a boundary.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Length and on middle, it is tucked straight to the man at mid-wicket.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Bangs a pacy bouncer, around off. Patidar tries to ramp it away but misses. Samson collects it at a very good height.Â
Change in bowling? Nope, Prasidh Krishna will bowl another one.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! Shot! Short in length and outside off, Faf du Plessis hangs on the back foot and whacks it through extra cover for a cracking boundary. 12 from the over!
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! A tough chance for Samson goes begging. Back of a length, around leg, Faf du Plessis tries to glance it across the line but gloves it behind. Sanju Samson dives across to his left but it takes his fingertips and scoots behind for a boundary at fine leg.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Shortish and on off, shaping in, Faf is cramped for room and ends up pushing it defensively towards the bowler.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Boult goes fuller but the line is around leg, Faf takes a step down and wrists it through square leg for a couple of runs.
Trent Boult to Rajat Patidar, Fraction short and outside off, Patidar uses the angle of the bowler and dabs it down to third man for one.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Fuller in length and outside off, Faf du Plessis drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a run.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Slightly fuller this time, outside off, Rajat Patidar drives but finds the fielder at wide mid off.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Angling in, on a length, it's defended from the back foot to the leg side.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, In the zone outside off, left alone.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, BYES! That's so unlucky for the bowler. It's a peach of a delivery. Prasidh Krishna clocks 148 kph and delivers it on a length around off. It lands and jags back in to beat the inside edge and keeps on swinging away from the diving keeper. A boundary at fine leg results.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, A touch short again, outside off, Rajat Patidar plays late but finds the backward point fielder.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! Short in length and outside off, Rajat Patidar stands tall inside the crease and throws his bat at it. It takes a thick outside edge and flies over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, A cracking yorker from Boult. It's swerving into the batter, around middle, Faf du Plessis does well to have his bat down in time as he digs it out safely to square leg.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Too full and around off, du Plessis drills his drive but finds the mid off fielder.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! Poor line and length from the Kiwi on this occasion and he pays for it. Serves it full and wide outside off, Faf du Plessis gets the chance to free his arms and pumps it over covers for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Presses forward and pushes a full ball to covers.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Another delivery on off, du Plessis stays back to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It deflects to covers and Rajat Patidar comes out in search of a run. He is sent back as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end.
Rajat Patidar is the new batter in. He is fresh from a sublime century and would look to play another crucial knock here.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Excellent line from Trent Boult. Serves it on a length around off, gets it to bend back in a bit, Faf is caught inside the crease as he blocks.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, LEG BYES! Wrong line from Prasidh Krishna. Slips a length ball down the leg side, it beats Patidar's bat, clips his thigh pad and races away to the fine leg fence.
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, ! EDGED AND GONE! That line to Kohli outside off has worked. Back of a length, around off and shaping away with some extra bounce. Virat Kohli sticks on the back foot and has a lazy waft inside the line. It takes the outside edge and Sanju Samson holds on to the catch. Kohli departs much to the disappointment of the capacity crowd. Needless to say, this is a big breakthrough for Rajasthan but they can't afford to relax as Bangalore have an in-form battin
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Length delivery around off, angling in, Kohli defends it from the front foot.
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Lands it on a good length and in the channel outside off, this one holds its line and Kohli shoulders arms.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, ! Virat Kohli advances down the track and makes his intentions clear. Boult hurls across a length ball around off, Virat shimmies down the track and dismisses it in front of square on the leg side for a biggie. The crowd erupts.
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Around leg, helped behind square leg for a single.
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Prasidh Krishna goes very full and in the line of the stumps, du Plessis tries flicking but misses. He is rapped on the pads, the bowler appeals but the umpire turns it down. Two noises there, it's of the ball hitting both the pads, shows the replay. Would have missed the leg stump, anyway.Â
Who will bowl from the other end? It is Prasidh Krishna.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Angling away from the batter, outside off, Kohli taps it down to point and looks for a run but is sent back.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, That's the line and length. Around off, with a good seam position, the ball nips back in a shade, Kohli covers his stumps and makes a watchful leave.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Serves it on a length and around leg, du Plessis eases it down to fine leg for a single.
Halt in play! Looks like we already have a pitch invader.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Kohli is away with a single and the crowd roars! Boult delivers it on a length around leg, Virat works it behind square leg and crosses for a run. The throw comes towards the bowler's end and deflects off Kohli's leg. He decides not to take advantage of it.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, The Kiwi speeds in and delivers a length ball in the channel outside off. It lands and goes on with the angle as Kohli allows it through to the keeper.
We are all set for Qualifier 2! Out come the Rajasthan players and so are the openers of Bangalore - Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. Trent Boult to start with the ball. Here we go...
Faf du Plessis, the captain of Bangalore, says that he would have batted anyway as it looks like a good wicket. Feels that runs on the board in a big game are always crucial. Adds that they have rested well and turned up fresh. Mentions that it's quite big for the team to reach this stage and they are only a game away. He wants his boys to keep doing the right things. Further adds that it's an amazing ground, and it's incredible to play in front of so many people.
Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan, says that they want to bowl first as the pitch looks a bit sticky and hopes that it will help his bowlers. Shares that they had a good practice session and everyone is happy and chilled out. Tells that it's an unbelievable atmosphere here and everyone is excited about the game. Further says that everyone is connected to the team and they want to play good cricket and put smiles on the faces of the fans. Feels that it's important to keep calm and cut the
Bangalore (Unchanged playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (C), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj.
Rajasthan (Unchanged playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C/WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy.
TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favour of Rajasthan. They have elected to BOWL first!
Rajasthan have been doing great things in this edition. At the start, not many would have given them the tag of favourites, but they earned it with their consistent display. Jos Buttler has been the nucleus of their batting, but it has its advantages and disadvantages. Jos' failure often led to Rajasthan's failure, and in a team sport, this should be avoided. Their batting depth doesn't offer much confidence, and that puts extra pressure on the top order. This area will be under the scanner this
Pitch report - Matthew Hayden is near the playing area and starts by saying that this place is amazing and over 100,000 people are expected to watch this game in the stadium. Adds that the boundaries are not as big as the ground looks but the boundary pockets are a little bit bigger. Shares that it's been too hot out there and the groundsmen have done well to prepare a pitch which is devoid of any cracks and it has an even covering of grass. The Aussie feels that it's a good one for batting and
Bangalore received a big lifeline from Mumbai to get a backdoor entry into the playoffs, but they earned one for themselves by edging out Lucknow. They have reached this stage but are yet to hit the top gear. There is a lot more they can achieve as a batting group, and against the bowling arsenal of Rajasthan, the famed Bangalore batting will have to put its best foot forward. Kohli and du Plessis versus Boult, Maxwell and Karthik versus the spin duo of Ashwin and Chahal, Buttler versus Hazlewoo
All roads will lead to the Narendra Modi Stadium - the venue for the last two games of the season. This is the place where the endgame will begin in a short while. Considered to be the largest stadium in the world, it's going to be jam-packed and excitement will be touching the roof. Let's see how the pitch is expected to play...
... Match Day ...
Here we go! After experiencing all the ups and downs of the season, going through the excitement and thrill of the league stage, facing loss and receiving favours, Rajasthan and Bangalore are standing at the cusp of booking their ticket to the finale. Plenty riding on this all-important Qualifier 2, and the change in venue will add more drama and challenges. Are you ready to witness this mega clash? We surely are, as we welcome you all for the coverage. Stay tuned for more...
We are back for the chase. The players of Bangalore are out in the middle.
... The Chase...
Earlier, Bangalore were happy despite losing the toss as they got to do what they anyway wanted. The start with the bat was not ideal after Virat Kohli got out cheaply but the 70-run stand between Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar took the innings forward at a steady pace. Once Faf was dismissed, Glenn Maxwell came out and batted with intent, and Bangalore looked set for a big finish. However, Trent Boult and Ravichandran Ashwin removed both the set batters in the final over of their spells to st
Right then, 157 runs on the board, although below-par, it's still challenging with the surface offering extra bounce. Bangalore have some great bowlers in their ranks to utilize the conditions to their advantage. By no means this game is over. Should be a cracker of a chase with the ticket to the finale on the line. Stay tuned...
Obed McCoy (4-0-23-3) comes up for a quick word. The West Indian says that the wicket has extra bounce and is seaming as well. Adds that he was very focused for this match and worked in the nets after not having a good last game. Tells that he loves the challenge of bowling in the end overs. Feels that their batters have to watch the ball a bit longer and play the normal shots. He has a great feeling that they will chase this easily.
What a fall! Bangalore's innings nosedived at the backend! They lost 5 wickets for just 34 runs in the last five overs. It was an exceptional bowling display at the death from Rajasthan, and they have restricted the star-studded Bangalore batting line-up to a gettable total on this surface.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Two runs to end the innings! Fuller again, on off. Ahmed strokes it to long off and calls for a couple of runs. He completes the second run safely with an incredible dive. Bangalore end on 157/8.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Too full and on off. Ahmed gets low and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. Ahmed is halfway down for a run but Josh Hazlewood sends him back. Rightly, so. Shahbaz Ahmed has a better chance of hitting the last ball for a boundary.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Serves it short and outside off. Ahmed looks to slash at it but misses.
Obed McCoy to Josh Hazlewood, Fuller again, around off. Josh Hazlewood pushes it to backward point for a single.
Obed McCoy to Josh Hazlewood, Fuller ball, outside off. Josh Hazlewood looks to drive but misses.
Josh Hazlewood is the number 10 batter.
Obed McCoy to Harshal Patel, ! BOWLED! Yet another wicket falls. Obed McCoy has been superb this evening. Clever change in pace once more. A length ball, around off. Harshal Patel steps way across the stumps and tries to lap it over but fails to connect. The stumps are disturbed.
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, A yorker, around leg. Ahmed fails to squeeze it out. Dot to end the over.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! Slow again but it was on a length this time, around off. Ahmed swings across and connects cleanly to dismiss it over long on for a biggie. Crucial runs for Bangalore.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, This is slow and on a length, around off. Ahmed steps forward and plays it back to the bowler. Krishna has shy at the striker's end but misses.
Prasidh Krishna to Shahbaz Ahmed, Wide! A sharp bouncer, slanting on middle. Ahmed leaves it. Good take from Sanju Samson, behind the sticks.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Harshal Patel, A length ball, outside off. Patel hits it aerially but well wide of the man at covers. A single.
Harshal Patel is the new batter to face the hat-trick ball.
Prasidh Krishna to Wanindu Hasaranga, ! TIMBER! Two in two for Prasidh Krishna! Wonderful follow-up ball to Hasaranga! Nails the yorker, on middle at 147.6 kph. Wanindu Hasaranga tries to squeeze it out but fails to get his bat down quickly and the ball goes on to shatter the stumps. Prasidh Krishna is on a hat-trick!
Wanindu Hasaranga walks in next.
Prasidh Krishna to Dinesh Karthik, ! CAUGHT! Dinesh Karthik goes! Big, big wicket this for Rajasthan as we all know how dangerous DK can be at the backend! A length ball, around off, it holds a bit in the surface. Dinesh Karthik tries to loft it through the line of the ball but mistimes it completely and Riyan Parag takes a sitter at long on.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl the penultimate over.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Off-pace this time, short and outside off. Ahmed swings across but misses. 7Â runs and a wicket off this over.Â
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! Much needed! Short ball, way outside off. Ahmed frees his arms and hits it flat over covers for a boundary.
Obed McCoy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Wide! Full ball but over the tramline. Ahmed leaves.
Shahbaz Ahmed joins DK in the middle.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, ! TAKEN! Mahipal Lomror was struggling to hit and departs now! The true bounce is helping the bowlers quite nicely! Short of a length, slower in pace and outside off. Lomror tries to cut it away but spoons it instead to point where Ravichandran Ashwin moves across to his left and takes an easy catch. Once again, the onus is on Dinesh Karthik to propel Bangalore's total in the end overs.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, Good bowling from McCoy! A length ball, around off. Lomror pre-meditates and shuffles across as he tries to paddle it away but fails to connect.
Obed McCoy to Dinesh Karthik, A low dipping full toss, on middle. Karthik hangs back and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.
Change in bowling. Obed McCoy (2-0-13-1)Â returns to bowl at the death.
Obed McCoy to Mahipal Lomror, Short in length and outside off. Mahipal plays it along the ground and to sweeper cover for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Two runs taken, still a tidy over from Chahal! Slightly full, outside off. Karthik cuts it to deep point for a brace. Not the best of spells from Chahal!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Short and around off. Lomror slaps it to deep cover for another single. Five singles off the over till now.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Karthik shuffles in his crease and Chahal serves it full and quicker. It is hit to long on for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, On middle, drilled down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Floats this one, on middle. Karthik sweeps it aerially and to deep square leg where Boult does the sweeping work. A single.
Rajat Patidar is caught at the edge of the rope. Jos Buttler has taken it. The onfield umpire though wants to get it checked. It's clean, Rajasthan have dismissed the danger man.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, A low full toss, on the pads, swept to short fine leg and the batters take a quick single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, TAP AND RUN! Tossed up, around off. Lomror gets low and knocks it to point for a quick single. Ashwin ends his spell with the big wicket of Patidar.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, ! TAKEN! Superb catch from Jos Buttler in the deep and that is the end of a fine knock from the man in form, Rajat Patidar! Flatter ball, length and outside off, Patidar stands tall and tries to loft it over long off but fails to power this time. Buttler stations himself near the rope and calmly takes the catch over his head. To be on the safer side, he lobs the ball as the momentum was taking him close to the rope, and then catches it again. T
Ravichandran Ashwin to Dinesh Karthik, Tossed up, outside off. Karthik drives it to deep point for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Dinesh Karthik, Flighted, outside off, spinning in. Karthik pushes it to point.
Strategic break. Yet another timely breakthrough for Rajasthan. They have got rid of both Maxwell and Patidar in quick succession and have the chance to limit the damage in the end overs. That said, here comes Dinesh Karthik, arguably the best finisher of the season.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, ! MUSCLED! Too full from Ashwin, around middle and leg. Patidar clears his front leg and dispatches it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, Tossed up, quicker around leg. Lomror flicks it wide of long on for a single.
Change in bowling! Ravichandran Ashwin is back on.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, ! Fifty for Rajat Patidar and he continues his merry way! This young man is showing the talent to bat under pressure. Tossed up, full and outside off, Rajat Patidar goes down the ground and smashes it over long off for a biggie.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Too full and around leg, Mahipal Lomror sweeps it through backward square leg for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fuller and on off, Rajat firmly hits it straight back and his partner ducks at the other end. It goes down to long on and they cross.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! This time Chahal fires it down the leg side. Rajat Patidar leaves again.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Turning away from the outside off, very wide, Rajat leaves.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Flighted and around off, Mahipal Lomror goes on the back foot and eases it down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Short and wide outside off, Rajat Patidar slaps it down to long off and takes a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fuller and on off, driven back to the bowler.
Mahipal Lomror comes in.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, ! SPLENDID CATCH! Trent Boult has done the job on the last ball of his spell. He has removed the dangerous Aussie. Boult digs it in short, around leg at 110.1 kph, Glenn Maxwell hangs on the back foot to pull but it takes the bottom half of his bat and flies towards fine leg. It's dying in front of Obed McCoy who does well to go down low and snap it inches above the surface. A timely breakthrough for Rajasthan!
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Sharp delivery, short and around leg, Glenn Maxwell clears his front leg and swings his bat at it but fails to connect again.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Swing and a miss! Short in length and outside off, slower in pace, Glenn Maxwell tries his best to power his reverse-batted shot but fails to connect.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, Boult nails his yorker outside off, Glenn Maxwell digs it out to covers.
Trent Boult to Glenn Maxwell, EXCELLENT FIELDING! Short in length, close to off, Maxwell goes back to create room and whacks it through point. It speeds away to the fence but Shimron Hetmyer intervenes with a dive and stops it from touching the rope. The third umpire is referred and the replays confirm that the West Indian has saved one run for his team.
Trent Boult to Rajat Patidar, Fuller in length on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.
Trent Boult to bowl his final over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish and on middle, Glenn Maxwell goes back and forces it to wide long on for one. 15 from the over, 26 from Chahal's two. He has not been allowed to settle down so far.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, ! Another boundary for Glenn Maxwell but again the connection was not crisp. Flighted and around off, turning away, Glenn Maxwell brings out the reverse-batted shot and it flies off the shoulder of the bat. Clears short third man and speeds away to the fence.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Fine shot but only for a run. Full and flighted, outside off, Rajat Patidar sweeps it to deep mid-wicket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Chahal again goes quicker through the air but delivers it way wide outside off. Rajat leaves.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, Quicker and around leg, hit down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Glenn Maxwell, ! JUST OVER! Short in length, around off, Maxwell camps back and goes for the pull shot. He doesn't get it from the middle of the bat and it flies over mid-wicket. Shimron Hetmyer jumps at the edge of the fence but it just eludes his hands. Risk pays off this time for the Aussie.
Yuzvendra Chahal is back into the attack. Went for 11 runs in his first over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Quicker through the air, a touch short and on middle, Rajat forces it down to long off and takes a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Slightly short and on off, Rajat Patidar punches it off the back foot to sweeper cover. Takes a single. 11 from the over.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, Tossed up, full and on middle, Maxwell pushes it down through mid off and picks up a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Skidding down the leg side, Patidar turns it behind square leg and rotates the strike.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, Maxwell steps back and Ashwin follows him with a flatter delivery. It's eased down to long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, ! Boom! Flighted delivery, it's too full though, outside off, Glenn Maxwell attacks it and muscles it over the bowler's head for a maximum.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Floated and around off, Rajat Patidar helps it gently to mid-wicket and crosses for a run.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, A low full toss on middle, Rajat nudges it through mid-wicket and retains strike.
Obed McCoy to Glenn Maxwell, That's a nasty welcome to Glenn Maxwell. A well-directed bouncer, Maxwell fends it off uncomfortably to square leg. It goes in the gap and they cross for a run.Â
Glenn Maxwell is the new man in.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, ! CAUGHT! Rajat Patidar escaped but Faf du Plessis doesn't have the same luck. Obed McCoy delivers it a shade fuller, around off, Faf du Plessis hangs deep inside the crease and attempts to power it through the line. But it takes the outside edge and flies towards Ravichandran Ashwin at short third man who jumps and takes a fine catch over his head. The dangerous stand has been broken.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Shortish and outside off, angling away, Faf du Plessis flashes his bat at it but fails to connect.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, On a length and around leg. Patidar works it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, ! Lucky runs! Back of a length and on top of off. Rajat Patidar makes room and looks to cut but the ball bounces extra and takes the outside edge. It speeds past short third man. No chance for the man there. A boundary.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shorter and on off. Rajat Patidar pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter ball, on off. Rajat Patidar mistimes his pull wide of long on and the ball falls well short of the fielder there. A single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Slides it on the pads, it is flicked to deep mid-wicket for one more.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shout for an lbw! Not given. Ravichandran Ashwin is interested and Sanju Samson goes for the referral. Flighted delivery, a carrom ball around leg, Rajat Patidar fails to work it around and is hit on the pads. They appeal but the finger stays down. DRS is taken. No bat is involved and the Ball Tracker shows that the impact is outside the line of the leg stump.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Shorter and outside off, a bit quicker. Patidar cuts it but straight to backward point.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Darted on the pads. Rajat Patidar wrists it to mid-wicket with soft hands and comes back for the second run with ease.Â
Strategic break. It's been steady going from Bangalore after losing Virat Kohli early. Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar have formed an alliance which is worth 60 runs at the moment. Rajasthan will be feeling some pressure now as these two batters are able to switch gears at any time. Both offered a chance when they were on 13 but Rajasthan failed to cash in. Can they pull things back in the middle period?
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Drops it short and on off, it is pulled away to long on for a single.Â
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Chahal tries to stay away from the arc but bowls it way outside off. Rajat Patidar leaves it alone.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Length ball around off. Faf du Plessis pushes it to covers for a single. Another slight fumble there.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, On middle, Rajat works it to down towards long on for a single.Â
Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, ! What a shot! Chahal flights this one, in the slot and Rajat Patidar stays back to muscle it over long on for a huge biggie. He loves to play down the ground and Chahal served him a freebie there.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Tossed up, full and around off. Faf du Plessis drives it on the up and to long off for a single. The 50-run stand comes up!
Spin from both ends now. The leading wicket-taker of this season, Yuzvendra Chahal, comes into the attack.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Faf du Plessis, Very full and around middle and off, it is pushed straight to the cover fielder.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Now targets the stumps and Faf nudges it to deep mid-wicket for one more. Rajasthan have done well to bowl two quite overs in a row.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Floats this one, fuller and outside off, spins a bit away. Faf du Plessis leans and looks to drive but misses. Good stuff from Ashwin.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter, on a length and just around off. Rajat Patidar works it through covers for a single.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Wide! Ashwin slides this one down the leg side. Rajat Patidar lets it through for a wide.Â
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, On middle, eased down to long on for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter, outside off, slower this time. Patidar punches it to extra cover where Shimron Hetmyer dives but fails to make a clean stop. He parries it towards mid off and they cross for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis, Tossed up, around off. Faf du Plessis turns it to long on for a run.
Time for some spin! Ravichandran Ashwin is in action now.
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Fuller ball on middle. Faf du Plessis uses his wrists and hits it to deep mid-wicket. Thinks of two but settles with a single. 6 runs off the over!
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, Around off, on a length. Patidar punches it to the right of mid off and rotates the strike.Â
Obed McCoy to Faf du Plessis, Touch fuller and around off. Faf du Plessis rocks back and drops it to covers with gentle hands for a quick single. 50 up for Bangalore!
Change in bowling. Obed McCoy to run in now...
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, On middle, on a length. Patidar glances it in front of square on the leg side for a single.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, Length ball, outside off. Rajat mistimes his shot on the off side.
Obed McCoy to Rajat Patidar, A length ball, angling outside off. Rajat Patidar slaps it to deep cover-point and Yuzvendra Chahal runs to his left in the deep, dives and does brilliantly to save a couple of runs.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Outside off, on a length, it's driven to point. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangalore are 46/1.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! Riyan Parag is the culprit and he has dropped a prized wicket. Short in length and outside off. Rajat Patidar opens the face of the bat and tries to slap through the line but spoons it straight to backward point. Riyan Parag drops a dolly over his head and parries it away for a single. Both batters have got a life each now. Will that cost Rajasthan?
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! This is even better! Krishna drags his length back and keeps it outside off. Rajat Patidar punches off the back foot and hits it through covers for a boundary. Timed it really well there.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! This is a shot from a man who is full of confidence! A length ball, outside off. Patidar hangs back and punches it past point for a boundary.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Length and on middle, it is tucked straight to the man at mid-wicket.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Bangs a pacy bouncer, around off. Patidar tries to ramp it away but misses. Samson collects it at a very good height.Â
Change in bowling? Nope, Prasidh Krishna will bowl another one.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! Shot! Short in length and outside off, Faf du Plessis hangs on the back foot and whacks it through extra cover for a cracking boundary. 12 from the over!
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! A tough chance for Samson goes begging. Back of a length, around leg, Faf du Plessis tries to glance it across the line but gloves it behind. Sanju Samson dives across to his left but it takes his fingertips and scoots behind for a boundary at fine leg.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Shortish and on off, shaping in, Faf is cramped for room and ends up pushing it defensively towards the bowler.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Boult goes fuller but the line is around leg, Faf takes a step down and wrists it through square leg for a couple of runs.
Trent Boult to Rajat Patidar, Fraction short and outside off, Patidar uses the angle of the bowler and dabs it down to third man for one.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Fuller in length and outside off, Faf du Plessis drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a run.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Slightly fuller this time, outside off, Rajat Patidar drives but finds the fielder at wide mid off.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, Angling in, on a length, it's defended from the back foot to the leg side.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, In the zone outside off, left alone.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, BYES! That's so unlucky for the bowler. It's a peach of a delivery. Prasidh Krishna clocks 148 kph and delivers it on a length around off. It lands and jags back in to beat the inside edge and keeps on swinging away from the diving keeper. A boundary at fine leg results.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, A touch short again, outside off, Rajat Patidar plays late but finds the backward point fielder.
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, ! Short in length and outside off, Rajat Patidar stands tall inside the crease and throws his bat at it. It takes a thick outside edge and flies over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, A cracking yorker from Boult. It's swerving into the batter, around middle, Faf du Plessis does well to have his bat down in time as he digs it out safely to square leg.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Too full and around off, du Plessis drills his drive but finds the mid off fielder.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, ! Poor line and length from the Kiwi on this occasion and he pays for it. Serves it full and wide outside off, Faf du Plessis gets the chance to free his arms and pumps it over covers for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Presses forward and pushes a full ball to covers.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Another delivery on off, du Plessis stays back to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It deflects to covers and Rajat Patidar comes out in search of a run. He is sent back as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end.
Rajat Patidar is the new batter in. He is fresh from a sublime century and would look to play another crucial knock here.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Excellent line from Trent Boult. Serves it on a length around off, gets it to bend back in a bit, Faf is caught inside the crease as he blocks.Â
Prasidh Krishna to Rajat Patidar, LEG BYES! Wrong line from Prasidh Krishna. Slips a length ball down the leg side, it beats Patidar's bat, clips his thigh pad and races away to the fine leg fence.
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, ! EDGED AND GONE! That line to Kohli outside off has worked. Back of a length, around off and shaping away with some extra bounce. Virat Kohli sticks on the back foot and has a lazy waft inside the line. It takes the outside edge and Sanju Samson holds on to the catch. Kohli departs much to the disappointment of the capacity crowd. Needless to say, this is a big breakthrough for Rajasthan but they can't afford to relax as Bangalore have an in-form battin
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Length delivery around off, angling in, Kohli defends it from the front foot.
Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Lands it on a good length and in the channel outside off, this one holds its line and Kohli shoulders arms.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, ! Virat Kohli advances down the track and makes his intentions clear. Boult hurls across a length ball around off, Virat shimmies down the track and dismisses it in front of square on the leg side for a biggie. The crowd erupts.
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Around leg, helped behind square leg for a single.
Prasidh Krishna to Faf du Plessis, Prasidh Krishna goes very full and in the line of the stumps, du Plessis tries flicking but misses. He is rapped on the pads, the bowler appeals but the umpire turns it down. Two noises there, it's of the ball hitting both the pads, shows the replay. Would have missed the leg stump, anyway.Â
Who will bowl from the other end? It is Prasidh Krishna.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Angling away from the batter, outside off, Kohli taps it down to point and looks for a run but is sent back.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, That's the line and length. Around off, with a good seam position, the ball nips back in a shade, Kohli covers his stumps and makes a watchful leave.
Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Serves it on a length and around leg, du Plessis eases it down to fine leg for a single.
Halt in play! Looks like we already have a pitch invader.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Kohli is away with a single and the crowd roars! Boult delivers it on a length around leg, Virat works it behind square leg and crosses for a run. The throw comes towards the bowler's end and deflects off Kohli's leg. He decides not to take advantage of it.
Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, The Kiwi speeds in and delivers a length ball in the channel outside off. It lands and goes on with the angle as Kohli allows it through to the keeper.
We are all set for Qualifier 2! Out come the Rajasthan players and so are the openers of Bangalore - Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. Trent Boult to start with the ball. Here we go...
Faf du Plessis, the captain of Bangalore, says that he would have batted anyway as it looks like a good wicket. Feels that runs on the board in a big game are always crucial. Adds that they have rested well and turned up fresh. Mentions that it's quite big for the team to reach this stage and they are only a game away. He wants his boys to keep doing the right things. Further adds that it's an amazing ground, and it's incredible to play in front of so many people.
Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan, says that they want to bowl first as the pitch looks a bit sticky and hopes that it will help his bowlers. Shares that they had a good practice session and everyone is happy and chilled out. Tells that it's an unbelievable atmosphere here and everyone is excited about the game. Further says that everyone is connected to the team and they want to play good cricket and put smiles on the faces of the fans. Feels that it's important to keep calm and cut the
Bangalore (Unchanged playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (C), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj.
Rajasthan (Unchanged playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C/WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy.
TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favour of Rajasthan. They have elected to BOWL first!
Rajasthan have been doing great things in this edition. At the start, not many would have given them the tag of favourites, but they earned it with their consistent display. Jos Buttler has been the nucleus of their batting, but it has its advantages and disadvantages. Jos' failure often led to Rajasthan's failure, and in a team sport, this should be avoided. Their batting depth doesn't offer much confidence, and that puts extra pressure on the top order. This area will be under the scanner this
Pitch report - Matthew Hayden is near the playing area and starts by saying that this place is amazing and over 100,000 people are expected to watch this game in the stadium. Adds that the boundaries are not as big as the ground looks but the boundary pockets are a little bit bigger. Shares that it's been too hot out there and the groundsmen have done well to prepare a pitch which is devoid of any cracks and it has an even covering of grass. The Aussie feels that it's a good one for batting and
Bangalore received a big lifeline from Mumbai to get a backdoor entry into the playoffs, but they earned one for themselves by edging out Lucknow. They have reached this stage but are yet to hit the top gear. There is a lot more they can achieve as a batting group, and against the bowling arsenal of Rajasthan, the famed Bangalore batting will have to put its best foot forward. Kohli and du Plessis versus Boult, Maxwell and Karthik versus the spin duo of Ashwin and Chahal, Buttler versus Hazlewoo
All roads will lead to the Narendra Modi Stadium - the venue for the last two games of the season. This is the place where the endgame will begin in a short while. Considered to be the largest stadium in the world, it's going to be jam-packed and excitement will be touching the roof. Let's see how the pitch is expected to play...
... Match Day ...
Here we go! After experiencing all the ups and downs of the season, going through the excitement and thrill of the league stage, facing loss and receiving favours, Rajasthan and Bangalore are standing at the cusp of booking their ticket to the finale. Plenty riding on this all-important Qualifier 2, and the change in venue will add more drama and challenges. Are you ready to witness this mega clash? We surely are, as we welcome you all for the coverage. Stay tuned for more...