We are back for the chase as the openers of Punjab, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are ready to stride out. Virat Kohli is giving the last pep talk before striding out. 

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Now then, THIS IS HIGHEST TOTAL AT SHARJAH SO FAR! The wicket is not the easiest to bat on but if you do apply yourself, runs will come. Punjab will have to bat really well if they are to chase this down. Bangalore know if they bowl well, they have enough to defend. An important second essay awaits.

Mohammed Shami to Harshal Patel, Just a single! Serves a full ball, on off. Patel smashes it to covers and takes a quick single. Bangalore end at 164/7.

Moises Henriques is up for a chat, he says that the wicket was similar to the previous game so he just tried to bang it hard and let the pitch do the rest. Adds that it was more of a team balance and they do have a good bowling attack. Adds that he is working on his bowling behind the scenes. Adds that the ground is not that big and they should take advantage of the loose deliveries.

The Punjab bowling was all over the place in the Powerplay. They were not at their best in the field too as they let down a few chances. They came back strongly though from overs 8 to 15, courtesy of their spinners and Moises Henriques who was the pick. However, Shami and Arshdeep Singh were poor once again at the death as they leaked far too many runs. Overall, KL Rahul will not be pleased with their overall effort in the field.

After electing to bat, both Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli made full use of the Powerplay. They went around 10 per over and got their side off to a flier. However, once the field restriction ended, run-scoring got very tough and Bangalore lost their way in the middle overs. From 68 for 0 they slipped to 73 for 3. Maxwell though rose to the occasion yet again for his side. He along with AB de Villiers added a 50-plus stand. Maxwell was the mainstay with another brilliant half ton. AB de Villier

Really not sure which side will be happier of the two after the first innings! We have seen 130 be a tough task to chase on this wicket and Bangalore have got a lot more than that. However, after the start they were off too, it seemed like they will get a lot more. Have to say both sides will be pleased with their effort in the end.

Mohammed Shami to George Garton, ! BOWLED! Mohammed Shami is on a Hat-Trick! This was pacier than the previous ball but same length and line. George Garton steps across and looks to paddle but misses and the ball hits the stumps behind.  

Harshal Patel to face the final and Hat-trick ball! 

George Garton is in! 

Mohammed Shami to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! TIMBER! Shami gets his second wicket! This was pacy and full, around middle. Shahbaz Ahmed looks to paddle but fails to get any bat on it. The ball sneaks through and disturbs the stumps. 

Mohammed Shami to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! THUMPED! Short and outside off. Shahbaz Ahmed stands tall and muscles it over mid-wicket for a biggie. 

Mohammed Shami to Glenn Maxwell, ! TAKEN! End of a wonderful knock from Maxwell! Mohammed Shami drags his length back a bit and bowls it outside off. Glenn Maxwell looks to pull but does not middle it. Hits it high and towards cover where Sarfaraz Khan takes a simple catch. 

Srikar Bharat walks out! 

Mohammed Shami to Shahbaz Ahmed, On a length, outside off. Shahbaz Ahmed works it to third man for a single.

Mohammed Shami (3-0-31-0) to bowl the final over! 

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, ! Maxwell will look to finish the innings on a high! Short of a length, on off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Despite a wicket, a good over for Bangalore as 16 comes off it. 

Arshdeep Singh to Shahbaz Ahmed, A full toss, on middle. Ahmed heaves it to wide long on to get off the mark with a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, Length ball, on off, dragged to wide long on for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, WIDE! An appeal for caught behind but not given! This was full and way outside off. Glenn Maxwell reaches to it and looks to slash at it but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, WIDE! Stays away from the hitting arc of the batter and bowls it way outside off. Left alone. Wided. 

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, A slower length ball, outside off. Maxwell cuts it late to backward point and collects a brace. 

Arshdeep Singh to AB de Villiers, ! AB de Villiers is RUN OUT! Good piece of fielding from Sarfaraz Khan. Very full and on middle. AB de Villiers smashes it straight to covers and looks for a quick single. The fielder there, scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The third umpire is brought in for a quick check and AB is found short of his crease.

Who walks out now? It is Shahbaz Ahmed! 

Is that a run out? AB de Villiers is walking off already. Replays show that AB is short. 

Arshdeep Singh to AB de Villiers, ! WOW! What a shot! Right in the arc, full and on middle. AB de Villiers bends his back leg and powers it over long on for a maximum. 

Ravi Bishnoi to AB de Villiers, Leg bye! Full and on the pads. AB de Villiers looks to sweep but gets hit on the pads and they take a leg bye as it rolls to short fine leg. 

Ravi Bishnoi to AB de Villiers, Angles a flatter ball, on leg. AB de Villiers makes room and hits it back to the bolwer.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell makes room and pushes it to long off for a single. FIFTY for Glenn Maxwell, he is in the form of his life. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, ! No one hits the reverse hit better than this guy! A full ball, outside off. Glenn Maxwell goes for the reverse hit and smashes it through covers for a boundary. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Flatter and on off, punched to covers.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell heaves it to deep square leg and scampers across for a quick couple.

Mohammed Shami to AB de Villiers, ! BANG! A full ball, on middle. AB de Villiers hangs back and hammers it over long on for a biggie. Another huge over for Bangalore, 17 coming off it. 

Ravi Bishnoi (3-0-28-0) returns. 

Mohammed Shami to AB de Villiers, ! In the gap! 50-run partnership up between these two! A half-volley, outside off. AB de Villiers smashes it through covers for a boundary. 

Mohammed Shami to Glenn Maxwell, Another full ball, outside off. Glenn Maxwell hits it to deep point for another single.

Strategic Time-Out! Bangalore have done well to score runs quickly and keep the scoreboard ticking due to Glenn Maxwell's hitting. If he continues in the same way and AB de Villiers joins the party, then 150 should be achievable. Punjab, on the other hand, will want to restrict Bangalore to around the 130-run mark and will want to bowl well and remove these two. Mohammed Shami comes back on to bowl.

Mohammed Shami to AB de Villiers, Full and on off. AB de Villiers knocks it to covers for a single.

Mohammed Shami to Glenn Maxwell, Very full, on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Mohammed Shami to Glenn Maxwell, ! Maxwell continues to play with freedom! A full ball, angling on middle and leg. Glenn Maxwell heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, A leg bye to end! Too high! Angled into the pads. Maxwell looks to flick but misses. He gets hit high on the pads. An appeal but turned down. A leg bye is taken as the ball rolls towards point. End of a brilliant spell by Moises Henriques. 4-0-12-3 for him.

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Just the one again! On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, On middle, this is dragged towards mid-wicket, it lands in front of the fielder who dives forward but fails to stop it cleanly. A single as it rolls towards wide long on.

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, Overthrow! Outside off, this is cut towards point. They take one, the fielder has a shy but misses. One more run is taken.

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques sees Maxwell making room and bowls it outside off. Glenn looks to cut but is beaten.

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Outside off, AB de Villiers pushes it towards cover for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to AB de Villiers, A single to end but that is a huge over! Outside off, this is cut through point for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to AB de Villiers, AB de Villiers looks to play the sweep initially but sees it is very full and outside off. ABD looks to hit it through covers then but it goes off the inside edge back to the bowler.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Just a run now! Outside off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, ! Down the ground now! Once again Maxwell has risen to the occasion for Bangalore! This is fuller and on middle, Maxwell thumps it over long on, once again with the turn as it is the googly. Goes all the way.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, ! That is huge! Out of here! That is a tough shot on this wicket but Maxwell has made that look so easy. On middle, fuller, it is the googly, Maxwell heaves it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Brilliant running! On middle, Maxwell works it with soft hands through mid-wicket. They take one, AB de Villiers turns quickly and they go for the second. Complete it with ease.

Ravi Bishnoi (2-0-12-0) is back into the attack. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, A dot to end the over! On off, worked to the cover region. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, A pacy length ball on middle and leg, Maxwell looks to whip this one away but the ball takes the pad to the leg side. The batters take a leg bye. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, A single as this is pushed through covers. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, On middle, length delivery, AB pushes this one back towards the bowler, who fails to get any fingertips on this as the ball hits the sticks at the non-striker's end. No harm done though. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, On a length, on off, Glenn pushes this through mid on for one. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Fuller, on the leg pole, AB whips this to fine leg for one. 

Harpreet Brar to AB de Villiers, A good over for Bangalore after quite a while. 16 off it. AB gets off the mark with a push through covers for a run. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, Smartly done. Follows up the biggie with a single to the long off region. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, ! Another one! Cracked from Maxwell! This is great batting from the Aussie. He will need to continue though. This is bowled fuller, floated too, around off, Glenn Maxwell gets low and smokes this one hard over deep mid-wicket. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, Flatter again, around off now, punched hard past the extra cover fielder for a couple of runs. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, ! Welcome boundary for Bangalore! They needed this badly and will need the boundaries to keep coming! Slightly shortish, around off, Glenn Maxwell camps back and then thumps this one over deep mid-wicket. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish around off, Maxwell pushes this to covers. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Another great over by Moises Henriques! He gets another wicket. Around off, AB taps this one to point. 

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Moises Henriques is having a ball out in the middle as he gets his third. The well set Devdutt Padikkal has to take the long walk back. This is served on a length, wider outside off, Devdutt Padikkal looks to slap it away to the off side but only manages an outside edge, which is held safely by KL Rahul behind the sticks. Bangalore are losing their way and they need a steady partnership now. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Around off, on a length, kept out. 

AB de Villiers is the new man in.

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, On a fullish length, on middle, knocked through mid on for a single. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, On a length on the pads, Maxwell look to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. 

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, Around off, on a length, slashed through point for a single. 

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Just 2 from the over! On the pads, worked behind square on the on side for a single. 

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Shortish, around off, Padikkal punches this to the cover fielder. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, Fuller, outside off, driven through covers for a run. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, On middle, defended out. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, On middle and leg, Maxwell plays the reverse-sweep to the off side, but it does not go far. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, EDGY! Flatter, around off, Maxwell looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and finds short third man on the bounce. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, No Hat-trick! On a length, on the pads, Maxwell works this to deep square leg for one. A brilliant over for Punjab and Moises Henriques! 

Glenn Maxwell walks out now.

Moises Henriques to Dan Christian, ! TAKEN! Two-in-two for Moises Henriques and Punjab have taken two very quickly. A golden duck for Dan Christian and the plan to send him up the order fails miserably. Outside off, on a length, there is width to play with and Christian decides to take it on. Slaps it, but more off the outer half of the blade towards backward point, where Sarfaraz Khan pouches this. Moises Henriques is on a Hat-trick too! 

Dan Christian walks out at number 3.

Moises Henriques to Virat Kohli, ! BOWLED 'EM! The pressure was building and something had to give. Punjab have finally got the breakthrough and the skipper of Bangalore has to head back. Kohli was finding it hard to get going after the Powerplay and he falls. Around off, on a length, the ball stays a touch low after hitting the deck, Kohli looks to heave across the line but the ball sneaks underneath his blade and crashes into the off pole. Punjab will look to make inroads now and snare

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, Quick run! Fullish, around off, Devdutt digs this one out to the mid off region for a quick single. 

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, Outside off, on a length, slower again, Padikkal only manages to heave this one back to Moises. 

Moises Henriques is into the attack now.

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, Slower, around off, on a length, slashed away to the fielder at point by DP. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Even with the biggie, just 7 off this over! On middle, Kohli pokes this one back towards the bowler. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, ! The pressure was building and Kohli releases the pressure with the biggie! Floats this one up around off, Virat Kohli gets low and mows a slog-sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for a huge six. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Another dot for Kohli! Fuller, on middle, tucked straight to the mid-wicket fielder. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, On middle, Virat looks to heave but only manages to find the mid-wicket fielder. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Flatter, around off, Kohli pushes it back to Brar. 

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Shortish this time, on the pads, Devdutt Padikkal looks to work this to the leg side but the ball takes the pad and goes to the leg side. An appeal for LBW but turned down as the batters sneak in a leg bye. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, Full and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal drags it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, LEG BYE! An appeal for LBW but turned down! A googly from Bishnoi, on middle and spinning on the pads. Virat Kohli prods to defend but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the pads. KL Rahul appeals but the umpire is not interested. A single as it rolls on the off side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, Flatter and on off. Devdutt Padikkal dabs it to third man for a single. 

DRS time! KL Rahul thinks that this one is caught behind but the umpire does not agree and the Punjab skipper takes this one upstairs. Some murmurs as the ball passes the glove but the third umpire does not think that there is anything involved. The on-field call stays on. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, NOT ! That comes as a surprise. There was a little spike when the ball passes the bat but really not sure why the umpire has ruled it in the favor of the batter. KL Rahul looks unhappy with that and rightly so. This was full and slanting outside off. Padikkal shuffles across and goes for the reverse sweep but seems to miss it. KL Rahul behind the sticks, pouches it and appeals for it but the umpire is unmoved. They take the review straightaway. Ultra E

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, This one spins away after landing on middle. Devdutt Padikkal is squared up as he looks to defend. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, Flatter, quicker and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal gets low to cut it but fails to get any bat on it. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Angles a full ball, on the pads. Kohli misses his flick and gets hit on the pad. Was angling down. 

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Short and on middle. Devdutt Padikkal gets on the back foot and flicks it to square leg for a single.

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, A loopy ball, on middle, punched to covers.

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Full ball, on middle, Kohli nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Slightly full and on middle, pushed to mid on.

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Well fielded! A flatter ball, outside off. Kohli slaps it to point where the fielder does well to stop it. 

Strategic Time-Out! Bangalore are off to a flier here! They started off slowly but are almost going at 10 per over. They would want to continue the same after break. Punjab on the other hand, have been poor so far, they have not taken the chances that has come their way and nor have they bowled well. They need to re-group in this break and need to comeback strongly or they will be chasing a big score here. Harpreet Brar comes on now.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, On a length, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal looks to poke at it but misses. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangalore are 55/0.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, WIDE! Spills it way down the leg side. Padikkal misses his flick. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Well played! Full again and slanting on the pads. Devdutt Padikkal clips it past short fine leg for a boundary. Boundaries flowing nicely for Bangalore. 

Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, On a length, on off. Kohli works it on the off side for a single. 50 up for Bangalore. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Very full and on off. Devdutt Padikkal jams it out to cover who misfields and allows a single. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Now nails the yorker perfectly this time, on middle. Devdutt Padikkal squeezes it out on the leg side. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Freebie from Singh and that has been dispatched! A low full toss, on middle. Devdutt Padikkal smashes it straight down the ground for a biggie. Pressure straightaway on Arshdeep Singh.

Change. Arshdeep Singh comes back on. Gave 13 off his first over. 

Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, On a length and on middle. Devdutt knocks it to point for a quick single. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Full and on middle. Kohli looks to heave it but gets an inside edge onto the pads, it rolls on the off side and they take a single. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, ! Good shot! This was too full and on the pads. Virat Kohli whips it through square leg and the ball races away to the fence. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Full and on the pads. Kohli tickles it straight to short fine leg. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, CHANCE! Hard chance though! Short of a length, around off. Kohli pulls it flat and towards mid-wicket where Sarfaraz Khan leaps but only manages finger-tips to it. The ball lobs over mid on and they take a couple. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Fuller and around off, tucked to mid-wicket.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, ! A boundary to end then! Bishnoi could have easily had a couple of wickets but ends up going for 10 runs. On middle, fuller, this is lofted over the bowler's head for a boundary in the long off region.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, And again! Another lovely googly, this lands on off and spins away sharply. Padikkal looks to block again but is beaten again.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, BEATEN! Lovely! Quicker, it lands on off, spins away and skids through. Devdutt Padikkal goes back to block but is beaten.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, ! This time connects and bags a boundary! A little too full this time and on middle, Padikkal lofts it over mid on, no one behind and it is another boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, ! That is two chances in three balls and both not taken from Rahul. Another good delivery, it lands outside off and spins away. Padikkal looks to go downtown but it goes off the outside edge but Rahul can't hang on.

Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, Tossed up on off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Was that planned? Not sure but that was a chance and clever from Ravi Bishnoi! Kohli skips down the track and Bishnoi spots it. He fires it down the leg side. Kohli misses the flick. The keeper does not collect it cleanly and Kohli gets back in time. Wide signaled. Not an easy take for Rahul but that is a big chance.

Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Two to end! So despite going for 11 from the first two balls, just the 13 from the over. Excellent work from Markram again. Fuller and on middle, this is clipped over mid on. Markram gives it a chase, dives and pushes it back. Saves two for his side again.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, That is a good delivery! A slower one, slightly fuller. Padikkal gently pushes it to covers.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Another length delivery on off, Padikkal plays it towards cover. Kohli wants a run but is sent back.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Good length and on off, Padikkal hangs back and defends it.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, WIDE! Down the leg side this time, Devdutt Padikkal looks to flick but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Carved away! Fuller and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal looks to drive, this goes more off the outer half through point for a boundary. 10 from the first two balls. Arshdeep Singh under pressure.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Welcome into the attack Arshdeep Singh! Devdutt Padikkal, decides it is time to attack now. Skips down the track and this is angled into his pads, he flicks it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Arshdeep Singh is into the attack. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Really good fielding! Fuller and on off, Kohli times this one past mid off. Markram gives it a chase. Slides and pushes it back in. Saves two for his side.

Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, Good length and on middle, Devdutt works it through square leg and takes one.

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, On middle, Kohli works it towards mid-wicket and takes one more run.

Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, Devdutt Padikkal is off the mark! On the pads, Devdutt Padikkal looks to flick, he gets an inside edge onto the pads, it rolls towards fine leg for one.

Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, That does not bounce a lot! Shorter in length and on the body, Devdutt lets it go over him. This one though does not bounce a lot.

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Outside off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Who will bowl from the other end? It is Mohammed Shami.

Aiden Markram to Devdutt Padikkal, A dot to end! So a really good comeback by Markram after going for a boundary on the second ball. Just the 5 from the first. On middle, defended.

Aiden Markram to Devdutt Padikkal, Another dot! On off, Padikkal once again can't find the gap in the cover region.

Aiden Markram to Devdutt Padikkal, Slightly shorter in length and outside off, this is pushed to covers.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, A single now! On middle, this is worked towards square leg for one.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, ! Off the mark in style are Bangalore and Kohli! That is a poor ball, a drag down, on middle, Kohli goes back and pulls it through square leg. Boundary to get things underway.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, Starts off with one on middle, Kohli works it with the turn to mid-wicket. The fielder dives to his right and stops it.

We are all set for the action! The players of Punjab stride out to the middle. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal are the openers of Bangalore. Aiden Markram to start with the ball. Here we go...

KL Rahul, the Punjab skipper, says that they would have bowled first and they are not too disappointed about losing the toss. Says that they are very proud that young Indian domestic players are doing well and hopes that they can continue the same. Informs that they have three changes as Fabian Allen, Nathan Ellis, and Deepak Hooda miss out and Harpreet Brar, Moises Henriques, and Sarfaraz Khan replace them. 

Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C/WK), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan (In place of Deepak Hooda), Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques (In place of Fabian Allen), Harpreet Brar (In place of Nathan Ellis), Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi. 

Bangalore (Unchanged Playing XI) - Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), Srikar Bharat (WK), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Dan Christian, George Garton, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal. 

Virat Kohli, the skipper of Bangalore, says that it looks like a hard wicket. He reckons that the pitches get slow here and they want to make best use of the wicket earlier on. Informs that there are no changes. Adds that Harshal Patel was brought on trade and he took the opportunity well. Says that the same goes with Maxwell as well. Says that the pitch looks better than the last game and they would look to get an extra 20-25 runs extra. Adds that they should feel confident after putting a tot

It's TOSS time! Virat Kohli and KL Rahul make their way out onto the middle. Good to see that they are sharing some banter between themselves. Heads is what KL says and it lands tails. BANGALORE WILL BAT FIRST! 

PITCH REPORT - Matthew Hayden says to expect another low-scoring match on this wicket. Says that seamers are effective with slower balls with most of them being short balls. Adds that it looks like a 130-wicket and it will be interesting to see how batsmen adjust to these conditions.  

... MATCH DAY ...

Last 3 games, Punjab against Bangalore, all three have been won by the former. The Punjab skipper will be facing one of his favorite sides. In all of those three games, he’s scored above 50. Can his side do it again in this crunch game? Bangalore are a side in excellent form and are one win away from securing their place in the playoffs. On the flip side, Punjab are probably one loss away from having no chances of making it into the top 4. A lot to play for in this game. On that note, welcome

If Bangalore are to win this game, they will have to find a way to dismiss KL Rahul. The opener has finished not out in the last 3 games against his former side scoring around 300 runs. He has been a thorn for Bangalore and with the form he is in, we could well be in for another master class from him.

Also, it will be interesting to see if Harpreet Brar finds a way back into the side. I’m sure everyone remembers what he did last time when he played Bangalore on his Indian T20 League debut. Who will he replace though? Will Punjab go the Delhi way by playing just the three foreigners? That will probably see him replace Fabian Allen. We will have to wait to find out.

Bangalore on the other hand, have probably found their best XI. However, we are still not sure about Christian’s place. Will Hasaranga get another chance on this slow Sharjah wicket? No team though likes to tinker with their winning combination so that seems highly unlikely. Stay tuned for the toss and other updates. 

We are back for the chase as the openers of Punjab, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are ready to stride out. Virat Kohli is giving the last pep talk before striding out. 

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Now then, THIS IS HIGHEST TOTAL AT SHARJAH SO FAR! The wicket is not the easiest to bat on but if you do apply yourself, runs will come. Punjab will have to bat really well if they are to chase this down. Bangalore know if they bowl well, they have enough to defend. An important second essay awaits.

Mohammed Shami to Harshal Patel, Just a single! Serves a full ball, on off. Patel smashes it to covers and takes a quick single. Bangalore end at 164/7.

Moises Henriques is up for a chat, he says that the wicket was similar to the previous game so he just tried to bang it hard and let the pitch do the rest. Adds that it was more of a team balance and they do have a good bowling attack. Adds that he is working on his bowling behind the scenes. Adds that the ground is not that big and they should take advantage of the loose deliveries.

The Punjab bowling was all over the place in the Powerplay. They were not at their best in the field too as they let down a few chances. They came back strongly though from overs 8 to 15, courtesy of their spinners and Moises Henriques who was the pick. However, Shami and Arshdeep Singh were poor once again at the death as they leaked far too many runs. Overall, KL Rahul will not be pleased with their overall effort in the field.

After electing to bat, both Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli made full use of the Powerplay. They went around 10 per over and got their side off to a flier. However, once the field restriction ended, run-scoring got very tough and Bangalore lost their way in the middle overs. From 68 for 0 they slipped to 73 for 3. Maxwell though rose to the occasion yet again for his side. He along with AB de Villiers added a 50-plus stand. Maxwell was the mainstay with another brilliant half ton. AB de Villier

Really not sure which side will be happier of the two after the first innings! We have seen 130 be a tough task to chase on this wicket and Bangalore have got a lot more than that. However, after the start they were off too, it seemed like they will get a lot more. Have to say both sides will be pleased with their effort in the end.

Mohammed Shami to George Garton, ! BOWLED! Mohammed Shami is on a Hat-Trick! This was pacier than the previous ball but same length and line. George Garton steps across and looks to paddle but misses and the ball hits the stumps behind.  

Harshal Patel to face the final and Hat-trick ball! 

George Garton is in! 

Mohammed Shami to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! TIMBER! Shami gets his second wicket! This was pacy and full, around middle. Shahbaz Ahmed looks to paddle but fails to get any bat on it. The ball sneaks through and disturbs the stumps. 

Mohammed Shami to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! THUMPED! Short and outside off. Shahbaz Ahmed stands tall and muscles it over mid-wicket for a biggie. 

Mohammed Shami to Glenn Maxwell, ! TAKEN! End of a wonderful knock from Maxwell! Mohammed Shami drags his length back a bit and bowls it outside off. Glenn Maxwell looks to pull but does not middle it. Hits it high and towards cover where Sarfaraz Khan takes a simple catch. 

Srikar Bharat walks out! 

Mohammed Shami to Shahbaz Ahmed, On a length, outside off. Shahbaz Ahmed works it to third man for a single.

Mohammed Shami (3-0-31-0) to bowl the final over! 

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, ! Maxwell will look to finish the innings on a high! Short of a length, on off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Despite a wicket, a good over for Bangalore as 16 comes off it. 

Arshdeep Singh to Shahbaz Ahmed, A full toss, on middle. Ahmed heaves it to wide long on to get off the mark with a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, Length ball, on off, dragged to wide long on for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, WIDE! An appeal for caught behind but not given! This was full and way outside off. Glenn Maxwell reaches to it and looks to slash at it but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, WIDE! Stays away from the hitting arc of the batter and bowls it way outside off. Left alone. Wided. 

Arshdeep Singh to Glenn Maxwell, A slower length ball, outside off. Maxwell cuts it late to backward point and collects a brace. 

Arshdeep Singh to AB de Villiers, ! AB de Villiers is RUN OUT! Good piece of fielding from Sarfaraz Khan. Very full and on middle. AB de Villiers smashes it straight to covers and looks for a quick single. The fielder there, scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The third umpire is brought in for a quick check and AB is found short of his crease.

Who walks out now? It is Shahbaz Ahmed! 

Is that a run out? AB de Villiers is walking off already. Replays show that AB is short. 

Arshdeep Singh to AB de Villiers, ! WOW! What a shot! Right in the arc, full and on middle. AB de Villiers bends his back leg and powers it over long on for a maximum. 

Ravi Bishnoi to AB de Villiers, Leg bye! Full and on the pads. AB de Villiers looks to sweep but gets hit on the pads and they take a leg bye as it rolls to short fine leg. 

Ravi Bishnoi to AB de Villiers, Angles a flatter ball, on leg. AB de Villiers makes room and hits it back to the bolwer.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell makes room and pushes it to long off for a single. FIFTY for Glenn Maxwell, he is in the form of his life. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, ! No one hits the reverse hit better than this guy! A full ball, outside off. Glenn Maxwell goes for the reverse hit and smashes it through covers for a boundary. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Flatter and on off, punched to covers.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell heaves it to deep square leg and scampers across for a quick couple.

Mohammed Shami to AB de Villiers, ! BANG! A full ball, on middle. AB de Villiers hangs back and hammers it over long on for a biggie. Another huge over for Bangalore, 17 coming off it. 

Ravi Bishnoi (3-0-28-0) returns. 

Mohammed Shami to AB de Villiers, ! In the gap! 50-run partnership up between these two! A half-volley, outside off. AB de Villiers smashes it through covers for a boundary. 

Mohammed Shami to Glenn Maxwell, Another full ball, outside off. Glenn Maxwell hits it to deep point for another single.

Strategic Time-Out! Bangalore have done well to score runs quickly and keep the scoreboard ticking due to Glenn Maxwell's hitting. If he continues in the same way and AB de Villiers joins the party, then 150 should be achievable. Punjab, on the other hand, will want to restrict Bangalore to around the 130-run mark and will want to bowl well and remove these two. Mohammed Shami comes back on to bowl.

Mohammed Shami to AB de Villiers, Full and on off. AB de Villiers knocks it to covers for a single.

Mohammed Shami to Glenn Maxwell, Very full, on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Mohammed Shami to Glenn Maxwell, ! Maxwell continues to play with freedom! A full ball, angling on middle and leg. Glenn Maxwell heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, A leg bye to end! Too high! Angled into the pads. Maxwell looks to flick but misses. He gets hit high on the pads. An appeal but turned down. A leg bye is taken as the ball rolls towards point. End of a brilliant spell by Moises Henriques. 4-0-12-3 for him.

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Just the one again! On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, On middle, this is dragged towards mid-wicket, it lands in front of the fielder who dives forward but fails to stop it cleanly. A single as it rolls towards wide long on.

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, Overthrow! Outside off, this is cut towards point. They take one, the fielder has a shy but misses. One more run is taken.

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques sees Maxwell making room and bowls it outside off. Glenn looks to cut but is beaten.

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Outside off, AB de Villiers pushes it towards cover for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to AB de Villiers, A single to end but that is a huge over! Outside off, this is cut through point for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to AB de Villiers, AB de Villiers looks to play the sweep initially but sees it is very full and outside off. ABD looks to hit it through covers then but it goes off the inside edge back to the bowler.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Just a run now! Outside off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, ! Down the ground now! Once again Maxwell has risen to the occasion for Bangalore! This is fuller and on middle, Maxwell thumps it over long on, once again with the turn as it is the googly. Goes all the way.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, ! That is huge! Out of here! That is a tough shot on this wicket but Maxwell has made that look so easy. On middle, fuller, it is the googly, Maxwell heaves it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Ravi Bishnoi to Glenn Maxwell, Brilliant running! On middle, Maxwell works it with soft hands through mid-wicket. They take one, AB de Villiers turns quickly and they go for the second. Complete it with ease.

Ravi Bishnoi (2-0-12-0) is back into the attack. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, A dot to end the over! On off, worked to the cover region. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, A pacy length ball on middle and leg, Maxwell looks to whip this one away but the ball takes the pad to the leg side. The batters take a leg bye. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, A single as this is pushed through covers. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, On middle, length delivery, AB pushes this one back towards the bowler, who fails to get any fingertips on this as the ball hits the sticks at the non-striker's end. No harm done though. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, On a length, on off, Glenn pushes this through mid on for one. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Fuller, on the leg pole, AB whips this to fine leg for one. 

Harpreet Brar to AB de Villiers, A good over for Bangalore after quite a while. 16 off it. AB gets off the mark with a push through covers for a run. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, Smartly done. Follows up the biggie with a single to the long off region. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, ! Another one! Cracked from Maxwell! This is great batting from the Aussie. He will need to continue though. This is bowled fuller, floated too, around off, Glenn Maxwell gets low and smokes this one hard over deep mid-wicket. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, Flatter again, around off now, punched hard past the extra cover fielder for a couple of runs. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, ! Welcome boundary for Bangalore! They needed this badly and will need the boundaries to keep coming! Slightly shortish, around off, Glenn Maxwell camps back and then thumps this one over deep mid-wicket. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish around off, Maxwell pushes this to covers. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Another great over by Moises Henriques! He gets another wicket. Around off, AB taps this one to point. 

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Moises Henriques is having a ball out in the middle as he gets his third. The well set Devdutt Padikkal has to take the long walk back. This is served on a length, wider outside off, Devdutt Padikkal looks to slap it away to the off side but only manages an outside edge, which is held safely by KL Rahul behind the sticks. Bangalore are losing their way and they need a steady partnership now. 

Moises Henriques to AB de Villiers, Around off, on a length, kept out. 

AB de Villiers is the new man in.

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, On a fullish length, on middle, knocked through mid on for a single. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, On a length on the pads, Maxwell look to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. 

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, Around off, on a length, slashed through point for a single. 

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Just 2 from the over! On the pads, worked behind square on the on side for a single. 

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Shortish, around off, Padikkal punches this to the cover fielder. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, Fuller, outside off, driven through covers for a run. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, On middle, defended out. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, On middle and leg, Maxwell plays the reverse-sweep to the off side, but it does not go far. 

Harpreet Brar to Glenn Maxwell, EDGY! Flatter, around off, Maxwell looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and finds short third man on the bounce. 

Moises Henriques to Glenn Maxwell, No Hat-trick! On a length, on the pads, Maxwell works this to deep square leg for one. A brilliant over for Punjab and Moises Henriques! 

Glenn Maxwell walks out now.

Moises Henriques to Dan Christian, ! TAKEN! Two-in-two for Moises Henriques and Punjab have taken two very quickly. A golden duck for Dan Christian and the plan to send him up the order fails miserably. Outside off, on a length, there is width to play with and Christian decides to take it on. Slaps it, but more off the outer half of the blade towards backward point, where Sarfaraz Khan pouches this. Moises Henriques is on a Hat-trick too! 

Dan Christian walks out at number 3.

Moises Henriques to Virat Kohli, ! BOWLED 'EM! The pressure was building and something had to give. Punjab have finally got the breakthrough and the skipper of Bangalore has to head back. Kohli was finding it hard to get going after the Powerplay and he falls. Around off, on a length, the ball stays a touch low after hitting the deck, Kohli looks to heave across the line but the ball sneaks underneath his blade and crashes into the off pole. Punjab will look to make inroads now and snare

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, Quick run! Fullish, around off, Devdutt digs this one out to the mid off region for a quick single. 

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, Outside off, on a length, slower again, Padikkal only manages to heave this one back to Moises. 

Moises Henriques is into the attack now.

Moises Henriques to Devdutt Padikkal, Slower, around off, on a length, slashed away to the fielder at point by DP. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Even with the biggie, just 7 off this over! On middle, Kohli pokes this one back towards the bowler. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, ! The pressure was building and Kohli releases the pressure with the biggie! Floats this one up around off, Virat Kohli gets low and mows a slog-sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for a huge six. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Another dot for Kohli! Fuller, on middle, tucked straight to the mid-wicket fielder. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, On middle, Virat looks to heave but only manages to find the mid-wicket fielder. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Flatter, around off, Kohli pushes it back to Brar. 

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Shortish this time, on the pads, Devdutt Padikkal looks to work this to the leg side but the ball takes the pad and goes to the leg side. An appeal for LBW but turned down as the batters sneak in a leg bye. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, Full and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal drags it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, LEG BYE! An appeal for LBW but turned down! A googly from Bishnoi, on middle and spinning on the pads. Virat Kohli prods to defend but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the pads. KL Rahul appeals but the umpire is not interested. A single as it rolls on the off side.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, Flatter and on off. Devdutt Padikkal dabs it to third man for a single. 

DRS time! KL Rahul thinks that this one is caught behind but the umpire does not agree and the Punjab skipper takes this one upstairs. Some murmurs as the ball passes the glove but the third umpire does not think that there is anything involved. The on-field call stays on. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, NOT ! That comes as a surprise. There was a little spike when the ball passes the bat but really not sure why the umpire has ruled it in the favor of the batter. KL Rahul looks unhappy with that and rightly so. This was full and slanting outside off. Padikkal shuffles across and goes for the reverse sweep but seems to miss it. KL Rahul behind the sticks, pouches it and appeals for it but the umpire is unmoved. They take the review straightaway. Ultra E

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, This one spins away after landing on middle. Devdutt Padikkal is squared up as he looks to defend. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, Flatter, quicker and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal gets low to cut it but fails to get any bat on it. 

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Angles a full ball, on the pads. Kohli misses his flick and gets hit on the pad. Was angling down. 

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, Short and on middle. Devdutt Padikkal gets on the back foot and flicks it to square leg for a single.

Harpreet Brar to Devdutt Padikkal, A loopy ball, on middle, punched to covers.

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Full ball, on middle, Kohli nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Slightly full and on middle, pushed to mid on.

Harpreet Brar to Virat Kohli, Well fielded! A flatter ball, outside off. Kohli slaps it to point where the fielder does well to stop it. 

Strategic Time-Out! Bangalore are off to a flier here! They started off slowly but are almost going at 10 per over. They would want to continue the same after break. Punjab on the other hand, have been poor so far, they have not taken the chances that has come their way and nor have they bowled well. They need to re-group in this break and need to comeback strongly or they will be chasing a big score here. Harpreet Brar comes on now.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, On a length, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal looks to poke at it but misses. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangalore are 55/0.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, WIDE! Spills it way down the leg side. Padikkal misses his flick. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Well played! Full again and slanting on the pads. Devdutt Padikkal clips it past short fine leg for a boundary. Boundaries flowing nicely for Bangalore. 

Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, On a length, on off. Kohli works it on the off side for a single. 50 up for Bangalore. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Very full and on off. Devdutt Padikkal jams it out to cover who misfields and allows a single. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Now nails the yorker perfectly this time, on middle. Devdutt Padikkal squeezes it out on the leg side. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Freebie from Singh and that has been dispatched! A low full toss, on middle. Devdutt Padikkal smashes it straight down the ground for a biggie. Pressure straightaway on Arshdeep Singh.

Change. Arshdeep Singh comes back on. Gave 13 off his first over. 

Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, On a length and on middle. Devdutt knocks it to point for a quick single. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Full and on middle. Kohli looks to heave it but gets an inside edge onto the pads, it rolls on the off side and they take a single. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, ! Good shot! This was too full and on the pads. Virat Kohli whips it through square leg and the ball races away to the fence. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Full and on the pads. Kohli tickles it straight to short fine leg. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, CHANCE! Hard chance though! Short of a length, around off. Kohli pulls it flat and towards mid-wicket where Sarfaraz Khan leaps but only manages finger-tips to it. The ball lobs over mid on and they take a couple. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Fuller and around off, tucked to mid-wicket.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, ! A boundary to end then! Bishnoi could have easily had a couple of wickets but ends up going for 10 runs. On middle, fuller, this is lofted over the bowler's head for a boundary in the long off region.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, And again! Another lovely googly, this lands on off and spins away sharply. Padikkal looks to block again but is beaten again.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, BEATEN! Lovely! Quicker, it lands on off, spins away and skids through. Devdutt Padikkal goes back to block but is beaten.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, ! This time connects and bags a boundary! A little too full this time and on middle, Padikkal lofts it over mid on, no one behind and it is another boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi to Devdutt Padikkal, ! That is two chances in three balls and both not taken from Rahul. Another good delivery, it lands outside off and spins away. Padikkal looks to go downtown but it goes off the outside edge but Rahul can't hang on.

Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, Tossed up on off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Was that planned? Not sure but that was a chance and clever from Ravi Bishnoi! Kohli skips down the track and Bishnoi spots it. He fires it down the leg side. Kohli misses the flick. The keeper does not collect it cleanly and Kohli gets back in time. Wide signaled. Not an easy take for Rahul but that is a big chance.

Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack. 

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Two to end! So despite going for 11 from the first two balls, just the 13 from the over. Excellent work from Markram again. Fuller and on middle, this is clipped over mid on. Markram gives it a chase, dives and pushes it back. Saves two for his side again.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, That is a good delivery! A slower one, slightly fuller. Padikkal gently pushes it to covers.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Another length delivery on off, Padikkal plays it towards cover. Kohli wants a run but is sent back.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Good length and on off, Padikkal hangs back and defends it.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, WIDE! Down the leg side this time, Devdutt Padikkal looks to flick but misses.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Carved away! Fuller and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal looks to drive, this goes more off the outer half through point for a boundary. 10 from the first two balls. Arshdeep Singh under pressure.

Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Welcome into the attack Arshdeep Singh! Devdutt Padikkal, decides it is time to attack now. Skips down the track and this is angled into his pads, he flicks it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Arshdeep Singh is into the attack. 

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Really good fielding! Fuller and on off, Kohli times this one past mid off. Markram gives it a chase. Slides and pushes it back in. Saves two for his side.

Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, Good length and on middle, Devdutt works it through square leg and takes one.

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, On middle, Kohli works it towards mid-wicket and takes one more run.

Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, Devdutt Padikkal is off the mark! On the pads, Devdutt Padikkal looks to flick, he gets an inside edge onto the pads, it rolls towards fine leg for one.

Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, That does not bounce a lot! Shorter in length and on the body, Devdutt lets it go over him. This one though does not bounce a lot.

Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Outside off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Who will bowl from the other end? It is Mohammed Shami.

Aiden Markram to Devdutt Padikkal, A dot to end! So a really good comeback by Markram after going for a boundary on the second ball. Just the 5 from the first. On middle, defended.

Aiden Markram to Devdutt Padikkal, Another dot! On off, Padikkal once again can't find the gap in the cover region.

Aiden Markram to Devdutt Padikkal, Slightly shorter in length and outside off, this is pushed to covers.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, A single now! On middle, this is worked towards square leg for one.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, ! Off the mark in style are Bangalore and Kohli! That is a poor ball, a drag down, on middle, Kohli goes back and pulls it through square leg. Boundary to get things underway.

Aiden Markram to Virat Kohli, Starts off with one on middle, Kohli works it with the turn to mid-wicket. The fielder dives to his right and stops it.

We are all set for the action! The players of Punjab stride out to the middle. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal are the openers of Bangalore. Aiden Markram to start with the ball. Here we go...

KL Rahul, the Punjab skipper, says that they would have bowled first and they are not too disappointed about losing the toss. Says that they are very proud that young Indian domestic players are doing well and hopes that they can continue the same. Informs that they have three changes as Fabian Allen, Nathan Ellis, and Deepak Hooda miss out and Harpreet Brar, Moises Henriques, and Sarfaraz Khan replace them. 

Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C/WK), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan (In place of Deepak Hooda), Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques (In place of Fabian Allen), Harpreet Brar (In place of Nathan Ellis), Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi. 

Bangalore (Unchanged Playing XI) - Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), Srikar Bharat (WK), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Dan Christian, George Garton, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal. 

Virat Kohli, the skipper of Bangalore, says that it looks like a hard wicket. He reckons that the pitches get slow here and they want to make best use of the wicket earlier on. Informs that there are no changes. Adds that Harshal Patel was brought on trade and he took the opportunity well. Says that the same goes with Maxwell as well. Says that the pitch looks better than the last game and they would look to get an extra 20-25 runs extra. Adds that they should feel confident after putting a tot

It's TOSS time! Virat Kohli and KL Rahul make their way out onto the middle. Good to see that they are sharing some banter between themselves. Heads is what KL says and it lands tails. BANGALORE WILL BAT FIRST! 

PITCH REPORT - Matthew Hayden says to expect another low-scoring match on this wicket. Says that seamers are effective with slower balls with most of them being short balls. Adds that it looks like a 130-wicket and it will be interesting to see how batsmen adjust to these conditions.  

... MATCH DAY ...

Last 3 games, Punjab against Bangalore, all three have been won by the former. The Punjab skipper will be facing one of his favorite sides. In all of those three games, he’s scored above 50. Can his side do it again in this crunch game? Bangalore are a side in excellent form and are one win away from securing their place in the playoffs. On the flip side, Punjab are probably one loss away from having no chances of making it into the top 4. A lot to play for in this game. On that note, welcome

If Bangalore are to win this game, they will have to find a way to dismiss KL Rahul. The opener has finished not out in the last 3 games against his former side scoring around 300 runs. He has been a thorn for Bangalore and with the form he is in, we could well be in for another master class from him.

Also, it will be interesting to see if Harpreet Brar finds a way back into the side. I’m sure everyone remembers what he did last time when he played Bangalore on his Indian T20 League debut. Who will he replace though? Will Punjab go the Delhi way by playing just the three foreigners? That will probably see him replace Fabian Allen. We will have to wait to find out.

Bangalore on the other hand, have probably found their best XI. However, we are still not sure about Christian’s place. Will Hasaranga get another chance on this slow Sharjah wicket? No team though likes to tinker with their winning combination so that seems highly unlikely. Stay tuned for the toss and other updates.