... RUN CHASE ...

There is nothing to write home about Bangalore's batting. It was abysmal. No one got going and kept losing wickets in front of some very disciplined bowling. Now the onus is on their bowlers to do something magical. Needless to say, Kolkata will be on cloud nine at the moment and they would love to secure two points this evening. Stay tuned for the chase.

A sorry-looking scorecard for Bangalore. Their innings never got going. Two wickets fell in the Powerplay and Bangalore struggled to get some rhythm going into their batting innings. Big credit should be given to Kolkata for the way they bowled and executed their plans. You have to praise Eoin Morgan as well for his captaincy. He kept relentless pressure on the batters and was very clever with his bowling changes. All his bowlers responded superbly too and Varun Chakravarthy with a 3-fer impres

The star with the ball, Varun Chakravarthy, is up for a chat! Says that it's a good feeling and credits the whole bowling unit. Tells that he is happy to do whatever the coach and captain want him to do. Adds that they had a lot of discussions and they have worked a lot and credits the team management. Shares that the plan was to attack the stumps because the ball was doing a bit initially.

Andre Russell to Mohammed Siraj, ! Bangalore are all out for 92! Russell keeps his length full and in the line of the stumps, Mohammed Siraj walks across the stumps again with his attempted paddle scoop. He gets some connection on this occasion but not good enough to beat fine leg. A simple catch for Varun Chakravarthy and Bangalore have failed to bat their full quota of overs.

Andre Russell to Yuzvendra Chahal, Russell fires in a very full ball around leg, Chahal fails to flick and it goes off his pads towards short fine leg. Dinesh Karthik runs across and collects the ball as the batters pinch a leg bye.

Andre Russell to Mohammed Siraj, Another yorker around off, this time Siraj has squeezed it out through covers for one.

Andre Russell to Mohammed Siraj, Siraj tries to be cheeky. Back of a length, around middle and leg, Mohammed Siraj walks across the stumps with his attempted paddle scoop but fails to connect.

Andre Russell to Mohammed Siraj, A cracking yorker, around off, Siraj fails to dig it out and the ball misses the off pole by a whisker.

Andre Russell to Yuzvendra Chahal, Delivers it on a length around off, Chahal moves across a bit and helps it through square leg for a single.

Who will bowl the penultimate over? It is Andre Russell.

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, ! Streaky. Prasidh Krishna goes short and delivers around off, Siraj makes room to go over the off side but it takes the outer edge and flies behind the keeper for a boundary. The score moves to 89/9!

Prasidh Krishna to Yuzvendra Chahal, Shortish and around off, that's a nice shot from the back foot by Chahal as he beats the diving point fielder for a single.

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, Spears it in, very full again but the line is around off, Mohammed Siraj gets his bat down in time and works it behind square leg for one. 

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, Quicker one, very full and outside off, Siraj tries to dig it out but misses. Giving nothing away.

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, On a length and close to off, probably the slower one, Siraj pushes it out with an angled bat to point.

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, Fuller and on off, angling in, Siraj stays back and pushes it to covers.

Prasidh Krishna is back into the attack.

Lockie Ferguson to Yuzvendra Chahal, Fullish and on off, defended. End of Lockie Ferguson's spell as well, 4-0-24-2!

Lockie Ferguson to Yuzvendra Chahal, Shortish and on off, defended at the last moment to the on side.

Lockie Ferguson to Yuzvendra Chahal, Sharp one, short in length around middle, some extra bounce, Chahal fails to keep it out and is hit on the thigh pad.

Lockie Ferguson to Harshal Patel, ! Bowled 'em! The speedster from New Zealand varies his pace and dishes out a yorker at 118 clicks. It's right at the base of the off stump, Patel fails to pick it, is very early into his shot and finds his stumps disturbed. An inch-perfect yorker. Number 9 down for Bangalore.

Yuzvendra Chahal is the last man in.

Lockie Ferguson to Harshal Patel, In the channel outside off, a bit on the shorter side again, Harshal flashes his bat at it and misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Harshal Patel, EDGY ! Bangalore won't care how they come now... Shortish and around off, Harshal hangs back to slap it over covers but it takes a thick outside edge and flies wide of Karthik for a boundary at third man.

An umpire review for run out at the bowler's end! Looks like Varun Chakravarthy definitely got some hand on it. He deflects it behind on the stumps and the big screen shows ''.

Change of bowling? Yes. Lockie Ferguson is back on.

Varun Chakravarthy to Mohammed Siraj, Flatter and a bit shorter around leg, Siraj moves back and works it down to fine leg for two. Varun Chakravarthy is done with his spell, 4-0-13-3 along with his hand in the run out of Kyle Jamieson. Brilliant.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, Fullish and on middle, heaved over mid-wicket for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, Quicker one, on middle and turning in, Harshal fails to defend and it rolls back to the bowler off the pads.

Mohammed Siraj walks out.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, ! Varun Chakravarthy has got the touch and it's an unfortunate end for Kyle Jamieson. Flighted and very full on middle, Harshal Patel drives it straight back and Varun Chakravarthy goes down low to stop the ball. He though only manages a gentle touch on the ball and it goes behind to rattle the stumps. The appeal is made immediately as Kolkata think that Jamieson was outside the crease. It's referred upstairs, the replays confirm the touch from th

Varun Chakravarthy to Kyle Jamieson, Loopy and full around off, it's lofted over mid off for just a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Kyle Jamieson, Flatter and fuller on middle, Kyle Jamieson shapes up for a big heave but only manages to drag it off the inner edge to mid-wicket.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, LEG BYE! A full ball, slanting outside off. Kyle Jamieson shuffles across and looks to heave it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads. The ball lobs wide of the first slip fielder and they take a leg bye. 

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Angles a flatter ball, on middle, Kyle hits it back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Harshal Patel, Outside off, slapped to covers for a single.

Sunil Narine to Harshal Patel, ! Welcome boundary for Bangalore! Quicker and wider outside off. Patel looks to cut but does it off the toe end of his bat. The ball goes past the first slip fielder and races away to the third man fence.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Quicker from 'round the wicket and on middle, pushed down to long off for a single.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Touch short, on off. Defended from the crease to the off side.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, Angles it on the pads, Patel misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A mild appeal only from the keeper for LBW but turned down.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, In the air but safe! Varun Chakravarthy serves a fuller ball, on middle. Patel smashes it over the leaping bowler and towards long off. Two runs taken. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, ! Varun Chakravarthy picks up his third wicket and Bangalore are 7 down now. A full ball outside off, seems it's a googly which Baby fails to pick. He looks to swing across the line but ends up slicing it towards point where Nitish Rana takes a simple catch. 

Harshal Patel is the new batsman.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Slightly short, on off. Baby taps it back to the bowler.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Quicker ball now, flatter and on off. Baby punches it off the back foot to point.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Full and slanting outside off, slapped to extra cover.

Strategic Time-Out! Bangalore are in tatters. They have lost their top order and have not touched even the 100-run mark. It's been a fantastic performance from Kolkata thus far and they would look to close the Bangalore innings quickly. Can Kyle Jamieson justify his big price tag and bail Bangalore out?

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Caught in the deep off a Free Hit. A high full toss on middle, Bharat does well to pull it across the line and it goes aerially to deep backward square leg. It's caught in the deep and the fielder immediately releases the ball. They cross. And it's another no ball for height. Free Hit loading...

Lockie Ferguson to Sachin Baby, NO BALL! A high full toss, on middle. Baby hangs back and pulls it to square leg for a single. No ball called for a waist-high full toss. Free Hit coming up.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Floated ball, on off. Kyle Jamieson defends it back to the bowler again. Runs have dried up for Bangalore. 

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Flatter and cramping Jamieson for room. He works it back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, A full ball, on off. Kyle Jamieson goes over covers, does it off the outer half of his bat and collects two runs. 

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Full and on off. Kept out.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Touch shorter, on middle. Kyle Jamieson gets an inside edge back on the pads as he looks to work it away.

Sunil Narine to Sachin Baby, Angles it on the pads. Baby flicks it to square leg for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Kyle Jamieson, Huge shout for an lbw! Not given. Varun Chakravarthy was begging for a review but Morgan is not interested at all. A tossed up ball, full and angling around off. Kyle Jamieson looks to defend but seems to have defended it off the inner edge. He is struck on the pads after that, Varun Chakravarthy appeals but it's not given. The replay shows there was an inside edge. Good decision from Morgan.

DRS time! Has Varun Chakravarthy got a hat-trick?

Varun Chakravarthy to Wanindu Hasaranga, ! LBW! Golden duck for Wanindu Hasaranga! What an over this is from Varun Chakravarthy. A flatter ball, on middle and leg. Wanindu Hasaranga takes a big stride forward and looks to defend but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW and up goes for the finger. Wanindu Hasaranga does not review it and continues his walk back. Hat-trick ball coming up.

Kyle Jamieson walks in next and he will face the hat-trick ball.

Wanindu Hasaranga, on debut, is the next batsman. A slip is in place. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, ! TIMBER! The frustration and pressure were building on Maxwell and he had to go for a big shot! Chakravarthy tosses this one, on middle, gives some flight to it. The ball hits the deck and spins into the batsman. Glenn Maxwell clears his front leg and looks to heave but fails to connect. The ball goes through the gate and rattles the stumps. An uncharacteristic 17-ball 10 from Glenn Maxwell. Bangalore staring down the barrel.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Full ball, on middle. Baby gets low to flick but closes the face of the bat too early. Gets a soft leading edge to covers for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy is back on. He bowled the first over of the match and went for only 4 runs. Can he pick up a wicket or two in this spell?

Varun Chakravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, Tossed up, angling on middle. Maxwell gets inside the line and tucks it to mid-wicket for one run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Darted on the pads, flicked to mid-wicket for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, A near-yorker around off. Maxwell gets low and looks to go big across the line but only manages an under-edge onto his boot.

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, Around off, on a length, pushed to covers for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Sachin Baby, A length ball, on off, Baby slaps it uppishly and towards mid on and crosses for a hesitant single. The fielder has a shy at the keeper's end but misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Sachin Baby, Almost had him there! A yorker-length ball, angling on middle. Baby gets an inside edge as he looks to dig it out. The ball deflects off the pads and rolls to the left of the keeper who has a shy at his end but misses. A single taken. 

Lockie Ferguson is back on. 2-0-14-1 are his figures so far.

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, Short and outside off, Maxwell dabs it off the outer part of his bat to third man for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Sachin Baby, PLAY AND A MISS! A length ball, way outside off. Baby tries to chase it but fails to get any bat on it. 

Prasidh Krishna to Sachin Baby, Full and on the pads, this is flicked to deep square leg for a single. Another tidy over from Kolkata, just two runs coming off it. 

Prasidh Krishna to Sachin Baby, Three dots in a row. On a length, angling across outside off, Baby stays back and plays it out from the inner half to the leg side.

Prasidh Krishna to Sachin Baby, A full ball, on the pads. Baby looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. It goes to square leg, Baby wants a run but Maxwell sends him back.

Prasidh Krishna to Sachin Baby, A length ball, on middle. Baby tucks it on the leg side.

Prasidh Krishna to Glenn Maxwell, A gentle push to point from Maxwell for a single.

Prasidh Krishna to Glenn Maxwell, Around off, on a length. Maxwell plays it back to the bowler. Unusual scenario for Maxwell now, he has to bat till the deep and take Bangalore to a respectable total. 

Andre Russell to Sachin Baby, Another one outside off, on a length. Baby sways away from it. Top over from Russell, two wickets and just a single from it. 

Andre Russell to Sachin Baby, Length and outside off. Baby shoulders arms to it.

Sachin Baby is the new batsman.

Andre Russell to AB de Villiers, ! SOUND OF TIMBER! A golden duck is handed to Mr 360. That's a body blow to Bangalore and Kolkata are going crazy. Andre Russell charges and serves a pacy yorker around leg, angling on the pads. AB de Villiers is surprised as he is too late to dig it out. The ball hits his left foot and ricochets onto the stumps. A stunning delivery to a new batsman.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, A length ball, on off. Maxwell stays back and pushes it wide of covers for a quick single. 

Andre Russell to Srikar Bharat, ! Andre Russell strikes and Bangalore are in a spot of bother. Not a dream debut for the youngster. Andre Russell steams and hurls a short ball, on middle. Bharat rocks back and goes for the pull shot but does not middle it. Hits it high in the air and towards deep mid-wicket. Shubman Gill there charges in and takes a very good running catch. 

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, On a length, on off. Maxwell hops and punches it to covers.

Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, ! Kohli falls early! Prasidh dishes out a delivery on a fuller length, close to off and gets it to shape back in sharply, Kohli tries to flick it across the line but misses. He is hit on the pads, they appeal and the finger has gone up. Kohli takes the DRS and the UltraEdge detects no bat. Time for the Ball Tracker - It's hitting the stumps. Kohli departs. Massive breakthrough for Kolkata.

Strategic Time-Out! Three wickets inside 9 overs and Kolkata will be immensely pleased with their work in the field so far. But now is the dangerous time. Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers played scintillating knocks in the reverse fixture to power Bangalore above 200. Can Kolkata stop their charge?

Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, ! King Kohli shows his class! Timing and placement, top class. Prasidh Krishna lands it on a length around off, Kohli drives it on the up and crunches it through covers.

Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Wide! Loses his line. Prasidh delivers it down the leg side, Kohli tries to get some bat behind it but misses.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, A touch short and around off, angling away, Devdutt Padikkal stays back and runs it down to third man for a single.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna begins his spell with a delivery on a fuller length, around middle and off, Padikkal defends it off the front foot.

Varun Chakravarthy to Virat Kohli, Serves it full and flighted on off, Kohli presses forward and pushes it defensively to covers. 4 from the first over!

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Devdutt Padikkal opens his account. Fires it in, a bit short and around off, Devdutt stands back and punches it through point. A good sliding stop in the deep by Andre Russell as he gives the chase. Three runs taken.

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Flatter and quicker, around off, Padikkal gets back and pushes it with an angled bat to backward point.

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Tossed up around off, Devdutt Padikkal gets forward and defends it from the outer portion of his bat to the off side.

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Floated one, full and around off, from 'round the wicket, Padikkal pushes it off his front foot to covers.

Varun Chakravarthy to Virat Kohli, A touch flatter around off, on the shorter side, Kohli gets back and works it gently towards mid-wicket for a single. Bangalore are away!

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Goes for the reverse sweep now but does not middle it as Maxwell walks way across the stumps. The ball lobs back on the deck. 

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish and on middle, Glenn Maxwell makes room and looks to pull but gets an under-edge and the ball rolls back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Srikar Bharat, A tossed up ball, on middle. Bharat tucks it to deep mid-wicket. A single taken. 

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Full and on middle, drilled down to long on for a single.

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Short and way outside off. Glenn Maxwell gets back to cut but ends up slicing it in the air. The backward point fielder dives across to his right but it falls well short. They collect a couple.

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, A flatter, quicker delivery, on the leg pole. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and looks to pull but fails to connect. He is hit on the thigh pad.

Sunil Narine is back on.

Andre Russell to Srikar Bharat, Russell goes short, around off, it's heaved over mid-wicket, not much timing. The ball drops in no man's land and they take two.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish and on off, pulled to deep square leg for a single.

Glenn Maxwell is the new man in. Also, Andre Russell is into the attack.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, Slightly shorter and angling on the pads. Maxwell looks to glance but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Andre Russell to Srikar Bharat, Short of a length, outside off. Bharat slaps it to backward point who half-stops it and allows a single.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, Short in length and on middle. Glenn Maxwell hangs back and tucks it to fine leg for one more.

Andre Russell to Srikar Bharat, Angles a length ball, on the pads. Bharat flicks it on the leg side for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Caught by DK! Lockie Ferguson has a wicket on the last ball of the Powerplay. He hurls across a sharp delivery, short and in the line of the stumps, Devdutt Padikkal tries to be too cute here, attempts to ramp it over the keeper but it's too close to his body. The ball brushes the outside edge or maybe his gloves and flies to Dinesh Karthik who takes a simple catch. A good little knock from Padikkal is over and Bangalore are 41/2 at the end of th

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, A near-yorker just outside off, Padikkal tries to dig it out but misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Delivers it on a length, around off, Bharat sticks on the back foot and works it wide of mid on for a quick run.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Swing and a miss! Extra pace there. On a length around leg, Bharat steps back and tries to smash it over covers but misses. That goes over the leg pole to Karthik.

Change of ends for Lockie Ferguson as he is back on.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Smart batting. Gets a boundary and now gently plays a length ball down to third man to rotate the strike.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Slapped away! Short in length and around off, leaving the batsman with the angle, Devdutt Padikkal rocks back, uses the pace of the bowler and cracks it through point.

Sunil Narine to Srikar Bharat, ! Handsomely played! Tossed up delivery, full and around off, Srikar Bharat opts for the inside-out shot and lofts it cleanly over extra cover for a boundary.

Sunil Narine to Devdutt Padikkal, Fires a quicker one down the leg side, Padikkal helps it behind square leg for a run.

Sunil Narine to Devdutt Padikkal, The batsman has just watchfully blocked this out.

Sunil Narine to Srikar Bharat, Flatter and on the pads, it's eased in front of square leg for one.

Sunil Narine to Devdutt Padikkal, A quick run. Full and around off, Devdutt Padikkal pushes it with soft hands to covers and steals a single. The fielder comes up with a direct hit at the striker's end but Srikar Bharat is safely in.

Sunil Narine is brought into the attack.

Sunil Narine to Devdutt Padikkal, Starts with a floated delivery, around off and a bit on the shorter side, Devdutt Padikkal gets back and plays it down to point.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, On a length around leg, Devdutt Padikkal clips it to mid-wicket and collects a run. End of a long over, Bangalore are 28/1.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, The batsman has just blocked that from his crease.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Devdutt Padikkal makes full use of the Free Hit. A juicy full toss on the pads, Padikkal picks it up and whips it behind square leg for a boundary. One hand comes off the handle but that doesn't matter.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Short and around off, Bharat steps back and slaps it through the line. Finds the point fielder. Called a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit time!

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Top delivery! On a length and outside off, holding its line, Bharat tries to force it through the line but misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, SAFE! Full in length and outside off, Bharat bunts it down to mid off and scampers across to the other end. There is a direct hit at the bowler's end and it's referred upstairs. Srikar Bharat is found to be safe in the replays.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Spears it full and around off, Bharat defends it back. The bowler lets it go and the mid off fielder collects the ball.

An umpire review for run out! Just a quick check for the third umpire as the batter was well inside the crease.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Full and outside off, Bharat drives through the line, good timing but his shot finds the cover fielder.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Sharp one, short and on middle, Bharat is hurried up into his pull shot and misses. He is thudded on the thigh pad and the ball falls near the surface. Srikar wants to take a run but is sent back.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Slightly short and around off, Devdutt Padikkal gets back and gently turns it in the gap at mid-wicket. He runs the first run hard but that's all he will get.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, ! A lovely extension of his arms and Devdutt has put it away in style. Fuller and around off, angling in from 'round the wicket, Padikkal shows the full face of the bat and lofts it behind the bowler's head.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Angling in around middle, Srikar Bharat uses his wrists and flicks it through square leg for a run.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Starts with a heavy delivery, short and close to off, Devdutt Padikkal stands back and guides it to third man for a single.

Lockie Ferguson is into the attack.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, The line is a bit too straight, Srikar works it in the gap at mid-wicket gets off the mark with a couple of runs.

Srikar Bharat walks out at number 3, he is on his debut.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Pitches it up and around off, Bharat pushes it off his front foot to mid off.

Review time! Virat Kohli has taken a review for LBW. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracker shows three reds and Krishna gets the Bangalore captain for just 5 runs. Bangalore lose their review.

Who will bowl from the other end? It is Prasidh Krishna.

Time to get underway! The players are on the field along with the two umpires. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal march out to the centre to open the batting for Bangalore. Kolkata are beginning with the spin of Varun Chakravarthy. Here we go... 

Eoin Morgan, the skipper of Kolkata, says that the surface looks really good, it has a great covering of grass and should stay true for the entire duration of the game. Adds that they were struggling in terms of results before the break and hopes to turn things around and gather some momentum in the second half. 

Virat Kohli, the captain of Bangalore, says that the pitch has a good covering of grass but it's to hold the surface and it will slow down as the game progresses. Regarding their blue jersey, Kohli replies that this one is special and they are playing a game for the Covid warriors, and these jerseys will go for auction. Informs that there are two debutants for them, Srikar Bharat and Wanindu Hasaranga are playing their first game.

Bangalore (Playing XI) - Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), Srikar Bharat (WK) (On debut), AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga (On debut), Sachin Baby, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.

AB de Villiers catches up for a quick word. Mr 360 starts by saying that the humidity is right up there but the good thing is that the sun is about to set. Tells that the top five really enjoy batting together and feels that there is quality in abundance in the squad. Shares that there is some hard work behind closed doors and it's more about getting mentally prepared as he is now not playing international cricket.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer (On debut), Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna.

Toss - Both the captains are in the middle. Virat Kohli is sporting a blue jersey as Bangalore pay tribute to the frontline Covid warriors. Up goes the coin and wow, it has come down in favour of Kohli. BANGALORE ELECT TO BAT FIRST!

... MATCH DAY ...

A warm welcome to everyone for Match 31 of this season's Indian T20 League between Kolkata and Bangalore. If you look at the squad of these two groups, they will come across as evenly matched teams but a simple glance at the points table will tell you the real story. Bangalore are in the top four with 5 wins whereas Kolkata are near the foot of the table with 5 defeats. It's clear now that the form is with the Red Army but the momentum could have been lost due to the forced break. Keeping that b

Kohli vs Morgan, Gill vs Padikkal, ABD vs Dre Russ, Shakib vs Maxwell, Narine vs Chahal - The star value of this match is sky-high. As mentioned earlier, they are very evenly matched on paper. But the matches are won on the ground and let's wait and watch which team flexes its muscle more.

The last meeting - In the reverse fixture earlier this season, the insane batting from Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers powered Bangalore to 204 runs and then the Bangalore bowlers defended it clinically to register a thumping 38-run win. Can Kolkata take revenge? 

Milestone for King Kohli! Amidst all the breaking news about him stepping down as the captain of Bangalore, there is a record waiting for Kohli. He's all set to become the first player to feature in 200 matches in a single T20 tournament. His fans would love a big knock from his unusually silent bat to celebrate this moment.

Double century for Kolkata! 200 is turning out to be quite a significant number this evening. Kolkata will be playing their 200th Indian T20 League game. It's a rare feat, only Mumbai (211), Bangalore (204*) and Delhi (202) have achieved it.

Andre Russell is up for a chat. He says that they need to win the remaining matches to qualify but they are not stressing themselves and taking it one game at a time. Adds that he does not take too much pressure as you can do whatever is in your control. The West Indian feels that it is all about team effort in the end. Mentions that as an all-rounder, he would like to contribute as much as he can. Ends by saying that it is really hot and they are trying to acclimatize to the conditions.

Pitch report - Nick Knight and Matthew Hayden are down to inspect the pitch. They inform that it is really hot out there. Regarding the surface, there is a good covering of grass, evenly spread. There could be a tennis-ball bounce and the pacers will get something early on. The spinners could also play a role in the middle overs.

... RUN CHASE ...

There is nothing to write home about Bangalore's batting. It was abysmal. No one got going and kept losing wickets in front of some very disciplined bowling. Now the onus is on their bowlers to do something magical. Needless to say, Kolkata will be on cloud nine at the moment and they would love to secure two points this evening. Stay tuned for the chase.

A sorry-looking scorecard for Bangalore. Their innings never got going. Two wickets fell in the Powerplay and Bangalore struggled to get some rhythm going into their batting innings. Big credit should be given to Kolkata for the way they bowled and executed their plans. You have to praise Eoin Morgan as well for his captaincy. He kept relentless pressure on the batters and was very clever with his bowling changes. All his bowlers responded superbly too and Varun Chakravarthy with a 3-fer impres

The star with the ball, Varun Chakravarthy, is up for a chat! Says that it's a good feeling and credits the whole bowling unit. Tells that he is happy to do whatever the coach and captain want him to do. Adds that they had a lot of discussions and they have worked a lot and credits the team management. Shares that the plan was to attack the stumps because the ball was doing a bit initially.

Andre Russell to Mohammed Siraj, ! Bangalore are all out for 92! Russell keeps his length full and in the line of the stumps, Mohammed Siraj walks across the stumps again with his attempted paddle scoop. He gets some connection on this occasion but not good enough to beat fine leg. A simple catch for Varun Chakravarthy and Bangalore have failed to bat their full quota of overs.

Andre Russell to Yuzvendra Chahal, Russell fires in a very full ball around leg, Chahal fails to flick and it goes off his pads towards short fine leg. Dinesh Karthik runs across and collects the ball as the batters pinch a leg bye.

Andre Russell to Mohammed Siraj, Another yorker around off, this time Siraj has squeezed it out through covers for one.

Andre Russell to Mohammed Siraj, Siraj tries to be cheeky. Back of a length, around middle and leg, Mohammed Siraj walks across the stumps with his attempted paddle scoop but fails to connect.

Andre Russell to Mohammed Siraj, A cracking yorker, around off, Siraj fails to dig it out and the ball misses the off pole by a whisker.

Andre Russell to Yuzvendra Chahal, Delivers it on a length around off, Chahal moves across a bit and helps it through square leg for a single.

Who will bowl the penultimate over? It is Andre Russell.

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, ! Streaky. Prasidh Krishna goes short and delivers around off, Siraj makes room to go over the off side but it takes the outer edge and flies behind the keeper for a boundary. The score moves to 89/9!

Prasidh Krishna to Yuzvendra Chahal, Shortish and around off, that's a nice shot from the back foot by Chahal as he beats the diving point fielder for a single.

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, Spears it in, very full again but the line is around off, Mohammed Siraj gets his bat down in time and works it behind square leg for one. 

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, Quicker one, very full and outside off, Siraj tries to dig it out but misses. Giving nothing away.

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, On a length and close to off, probably the slower one, Siraj pushes it out with an angled bat to point.

Prasidh Krishna to Mohammed Siraj, Fuller and on off, angling in, Siraj stays back and pushes it to covers.

Prasidh Krishna is back into the attack.

Lockie Ferguson to Yuzvendra Chahal, Fullish and on off, defended. End of Lockie Ferguson's spell as well, 4-0-24-2!

Lockie Ferguson to Yuzvendra Chahal, Shortish and on off, defended at the last moment to the on side.

Lockie Ferguson to Yuzvendra Chahal, Sharp one, short in length around middle, some extra bounce, Chahal fails to keep it out and is hit on the thigh pad.

Lockie Ferguson to Harshal Patel, ! Bowled 'em! The speedster from New Zealand varies his pace and dishes out a yorker at 118 clicks. It's right at the base of the off stump, Patel fails to pick it, is very early into his shot and finds his stumps disturbed. An inch-perfect yorker. Number 9 down for Bangalore.

Yuzvendra Chahal is the last man in.

Lockie Ferguson to Harshal Patel, In the channel outside off, a bit on the shorter side again, Harshal flashes his bat at it and misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Harshal Patel, EDGY ! Bangalore won't care how they come now... Shortish and around off, Harshal hangs back to slap it over covers but it takes a thick outside edge and flies wide of Karthik for a boundary at third man.

An umpire review for run out at the bowler's end! Looks like Varun Chakravarthy definitely got some hand on it. He deflects it behind on the stumps and the big screen shows ''.

Change of bowling? Yes. Lockie Ferguson is back on.

Varun Chakravarthy to Mohammed Siraj, Flatter and a bit shorter around leg, Siraj moves back and works it down to fine leg for two. Varun Chakravarthy is done with his spell, 4-0-13-3 along with his hand in the run out of Kyle Jamieson. Brilliant.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, Fullish and on middle, heaved over mid-wicket for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, Quicker one, on middle and turning in, Harshal fails to defend and it rolls back to the bowler off the pads.

Mohammed Siraj walks out.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, ! Varun Chakravarthy has got the touch and it's an unfortunate end for Kyle Jamieson. Flighted and very full on middle, Harshal Patel drives it straight back and Varun Chakravarthy goes down low to stop the ball. He though only manages a gentle touch on the ball and it goes behind to rattle the stumps. The appeal is made immediately as Kolkata think that Jamieson was outside the crease. It's referred upstairs, the replays confirm the touch from th

Varun Chakravarthy to Kyle Jamieson, Loopy and full around off, it's lofted over mid off for just a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Kyle Jamieson, Flatter and fuller on middle, Kyle Jamieson shapes up for a big heave but only manages to drag it off the inner edge to mid-wicket.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, LEG BYE! A full ball, slanting outside off. Kyle Jamieson shuffles across and looks to heave it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads. The ball lobs wide of the first slip fielder and they take a leg bye. 

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Angles a flatter ball, on middle, Kyle hits it back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Harshal Patel, Outside off, slapped to covers for a single.

Sunil Narine to Harshal Patel, ! Welcome boundary for Bangalore! Quicker and wider outside off. Patel looks to cut but does it off the toe end of his bat. The ball goes past the first slip fielder and races away to the third man fence.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Quicker from 'round the wicket and on middle, pushed down to long off for a single.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Touch short, on off. Defended from the crease to the off side.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, Angles it on the pads, Patel misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A mild appeal only from the keeper for LBW but turned down.

Varun Chakravarthy to Harshal Patel, In the air but safe! Varun Chakravarthy serves a fuller ball, on middle. Patel smashes it over the leaping bowler and towards long off. Two runs taken. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, ! Varun Chakravarthy picks up his third wicket and Bangalore are 7 down now. A full ball outside off, seems it's a googly which Baby fails to pick. He looks to swing across the line but ends up slicing it towards point where Nitish Rana takes a simple catch. 

Harshal Patel is the new batsman.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Slightly short, on off. Baby taps it back to the bowler.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Quicker ball now, flatter and on off. Baby punches it off the back foot to point.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Full and slanting outside off, slapped to extra cover.

Strategic Time-Out! Bangalore are in tatters. They have lost their top order and have not touched even the 100-run mark. It's been a fantastic performance from Kolkata thus far and they would look to close the Bangalore innings quickly. Can Kyle Jamieson justify his big price tag and bail Bangalore out?

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Caught in the deep off a Free Hit. A high full toss on middle, Bharat does well to pull it across the line and it goes aerially to deep backward square leg. It's caught in the deep and the fielder immediately releases the ball. They cross. And it's another no ball for height. Free Hit loading...

Lockie Ferguson to Sachin Baby, NO BALL! A high full toss, on middle. Baby hangs back and pulls it to square leg for a single. No ball called for a waist-high full toss. Free Hit coming up.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Floated ball, on off. Kyle Jamieson defends it back to the bowler again. Runs have dried up for Bangalore. 

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Flatter and cramping Jamieson for room. He works it back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, A full ball, on off. Kyle Jamieson goes over covers, does it off the outer half of his bat and collects two runs. 

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Full and on off. Kept out.

Sunil Narine to Kyle Jamieson, Touch shorter, on middle. Kyle Jamieson gets an inside edge back on the pads as he looks to work it away.

Sunil Narine to Sachin Baby, Angles it on the pads. Baby flicks it to square leg for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy to Kyle Jamieson, Huge shout for an lbw! Not given. Varun Chakravarthy was begging for a review but Morgan is not interested at all. A tossed up ball, full and angling around off. Kyle Jamieson looks to defend but seems to have defended it off the inner edge. He is struck on the pads after that, Varun Chakravarthy appeals but it's not given. The replay shows there was an inside edge. Good decision from Morgan.

DRS time! Has Varun Chakravarthy got a hat-trick?

Varun Chakravarthy to Wanindu Hasaranga, ! LBW! Golden duck for Wanindu Hasaranga! What an over this is from Varun Chakravarthy. A flatter ball, on middle and leg. Wanindu Hasaranga takes a big stride forward and looks to defend but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW and up goes for the finger. Wanindu Hasaranga does not review it and continues his walk back. Hat-trick ball coming up.

Kyle Jamieson walks in next and he will face the hat-trick ball.

Wanindu Hasaranga, on debut, is the next batsman. A slip is in place. 

Varun Chakravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, ! TIMBER! The frustration and pressure were building on Maxwell and he had to go for a big shot! Chakravarthy tosses this one, on middle, gives some flight to it. The ball hits the deck and spins into the batsman. Glenn Maxwell clears his front leg and looks to heave but fails to connect. The ball goes through the gate and rattles the stumps. An uncharacteristic 17-ball 10 from Glenn Maxwell. Bangalore staring down the barrel.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Full ball, on middle. Baby gets low to flick but closes the face of the bat too early. Gets a soft leading edge to covers for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy is back on. He bowled the first over of the match and went for only 4 runs. Can he pick up a wicket or two in this spell?

Varun Chakravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, Tossed up, angling on middle. Maxwell gets inside the line and tucks it to mid-wicket for one run.

Varun Chakravarthy to Sachin Baby, Darted on the pads, flicked to mid-wicket for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, A near-yorker around off. Maxwell gets low and looks to go big across the line but only manages an under-edge onto his boot.

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, Around off, on a length, pushed to covers for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Sachin Baby, A length ball, on off, Baby slaps it uppishly and towards mid on and crosses for a hesitant single. The fielder has a shy at the keeper's end but misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Sachin Baby, Almost had him there! A yorker-length ball, angling on middle. Baby gets an inside edge as he looks to dig it out. The ball deflects off the pads and rolls to the left of the keeper who has a shy at his end but misses. A single taken. 

Lockie Ferguson is back on. 2-0-14-1 are his figures so far.

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, Short and outside off, Maxwell dabs it off the outer part of his bat to third man for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Sachin Baby, PLAY AND A MISS! A length ball, way outside off. Baby tries to chase it but fails to get any bat on it. 

Prasidh Krishna to Sachin Baby, Full and on the pads, this is flicked to deep square leg for a single. Another tidy over from Kolkata, just two runs coming off it. 

Prasidh Krishna to Sachin Baby, Three dots in a row. On a length, angling across outside off, Baby stays back and plays it out from the inner half to the leg side.

Prasidh Krishna to Sachin Baby, A full ball, on the pads. Baby looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. It goes to square leg, Baby wants a run but Maxwell sends him back.

Prasidh Krishna to Sachin Baby, A length ball, on middle. Baby tucks it on the leg side.

Prasidh Krishna to Glenn Maxwell, A gentle push to point from Maxwell for a single.

Prasidh Krishna to Glenn Maxwell, Around off, on a length. Maxwell plays it back to the bowler. Unusual scenario for Maxwell now, he has to bat till the deep and take Bangalore to a respectable total. 

Andre Russell to Sachin Baby, Another one outside off, on a length. Baby sways away from it. Top over from Russell, two wickets and just a single from it. 

Andre Russell to Sachin Baby, Length and outside off. Baby shoulders arms to it.

Sachin Baby is the new batsman.

Andre Russell to AB de Villiers, ! SOUND OF TIMBER! A golden duck is handed to Mr 360. That's a body blow to Bangalore and Kolkata are going crazy. Andre Russell charges and serves a pacy yorker around leg, angling on the pads. AB de Villiers is surprised as he is too late to dig it out. The ball hits his left foot and ricochets onto the stumps. A stunning delivery to a new batsman.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, A length ball, on off. Maxwell stays back and pushes it wide of covers for a quick single. 

Andre Russell to Srikar Bharat, ! Andre Russell strikes and Bangalore are in a spot of bother. Not a dream debut for the youngster. Andre Russell steams and hurls a short ball, on middle. Bharat rocks back and goes for the pull shot but does not middle it. Hits it high in the air and towards deep mid-wicket. Shubman Gill there charges in and takes a very good running catch. 

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, On a length, on off. Maxwell hops and punches it to covers.

Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, ! Kohli falls early! Prasidh dishes out a delivery on a fuller length, close to off and gets it to shape back in sharply, Kohli tries to flick it across the line but misses. He is hit on the pads, they appeal and the finger has gone up. Kohli takes the DRS and the UltraEdge detects no bat. Time for the Ball Tracker - It's hitting the stumps. Kohli departs. Massive breakthrough for Kolkata.

Strategic Time-Out! Three wickets inside 9 overs and Kolkata will be immensely pleased with their work in the field so far. But now is the dangerous time. Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers played scintillating knocks in the reverse fixture to power Bangalore above 200. Can Kolkata stop their charge?

Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, ! King Kohli shows his class! Timing and placement, top class. Prasidh Krishna lands it on a length around off, Kohli drives it on the up and crunches it through covers.

Prasidh Krishna to Virat Kohli, Wide! Loses his line. Prasidh delivers it down the leg side, Kohli tries to get some bat behind it but misses.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, A touch short and around off, angling away, Devdutt Padikkal stays back and runs it down to third man for a single.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna begins his spell with a delivery on a fuller length, around middle and off, Padikkal defends it off the front foot.

Varun Chakravarthy to Virat Kohli, Serves it full and flighted on off, Kohli presses forward and pushes it defensively to covers. 4 from the first over!

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Devdutt Padikkal opens his account. Fires it in, a bit short and around off, Devdutt stands back and punches it through point. A good sliding stop in the deep by Andre Russell as he gives the chase. Three runs taken.

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Flatter and quicker, around off, Padikkal gets back and pushes it with an angled bat to backward point.

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Tossed up around off, Devdutt Padikkal gets forward and defends it from the outer portion of his bat to the off side.

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Floated one, full and around off, from 'round the wicket, Padikkal pushes it off his front foot to covers.

Varun Chakravarthy to Virat Kohli, A touch flatter around off, on the shorter side, Kohli gets back and works it gently towards mid-wicket for a single. Bangalore are away!

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Goes for the reverse sweep now but does not middle it as Maxwell walks way across the stumps. The ball lobs back on the deck. 

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish and on middle, Glenn Maxwell makes room and looks to pull but gets an under-edge and the ball rolls back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Srikar Bharat, A tossed up ball, on middle. Bharat tucks it to deep mid-wicket. A single taken. 

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Full and on middle, drilled down to long on for a single.

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Short and way outside off. Glenn Maxwell gets back to cut but ends up slicing it in the air. The backward point fielder dives across to his right but it falls well short. They collect a couple.

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, A flatter, quicker delivery, on the leg pole. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and looks to pull but fails to connect. He is hit on the thigh pad.

Sunil Narine is back on.

Andre Russell to Srikar Bharat, Russell goes short, around off, it's heaved over mid-wicket, not much timing. The ball drops in no man's land and they take two.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish and on off, pulled to deep square leg for a single.

Glenn Maxwell is the new man in. Also, Andre Russell is into the attack.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, Slightly shorter and angling on the pads. Maxwell looks to glance but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Andre Russell to Srikar Bharat, Short of a length, outside off. Bharat slaps it to backward point who half-stops it and allows a single.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, Short in length and on middle. Glenn Maxwell hangs back and tucks it to fine leg for one more.

Andre Russell to Srikar Bharat, Angles a length ball, on the pads. Bharat flicks it on the leg side for a single.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Caught by DK! Lockie Ferguson has a wicket on the last ball of the Powerplay. He hurls across a sharp delivery, short and in the line of the stumps, Devdutt Padikkal tries to be too cute here, attempts to ramp it over the keeper but it's too close to his body. The ball brushes the outside edge or maybe his gloves and flies to Dinesh Karthik who takes a simple catch. A good little knock from Padikkal is over and Bangalore are 41/2 at the end of th

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, A near-yorker just outside off, Padikkal tries to dig it out but misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Delivers it on a length, around off, Bharat sticks on the back foot and works it wide of mid on for a quick run.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Swing and a miss! Extra pace there. On a length around leg, Bharat steps back and tries to smash it over covers but misses. That goes over the leg pole to Karthik.

Change of ends for Lockie Ferguson as he is back on.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Smart batting. Gets a boundary and now gently plays a length ball down to third man to rotate the strike.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Slapped away! Short in length and around off, leaving the batsman with the angle, Devdutt Padikkal rocks back, uses the pace of the bowler and cracks it through point.

Sunil Narine to Srikar Bharat, ! Handsomely played! Tossed up delivery, full and around off, Srikar Bharat opts for the inside-out shot and lofts it cleanly over extra cover for a boundary.

Sunil Narine to Devdutt Padikkal, Fires a quicker one down the leg side, Padikkal helps it behind square leg for a run.

Sunil Narine to Devdutt Padikkal, The batsman has just watchfully blocked this out.

Sunil Narine to Srikar Bharat, Flatter and on the pads, it's eased in front of square leg for one.

Sunil Narine to Devdutt Padikkal, A quick run. Full and around off, Devdutt Padikkal pushes it with soft hands to covers and steals a single. The fielder comes up with a direct hit at the striker's end but Srikar Bharat is safely in.

Sunil Narine is brought into the attack.

Sunil Narine to Devdutt Padikkal, Starts with a floated delivery, around off and a bit on the shorter side, Devdutt Padikkal gets back and plays it down to point.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, On a length around leg, Devdutt Padikkal clips it to mid-wicket and collects a run. End of a long over, Bangalore are 28/1.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, The batsman has just blocked that from his crease.

Prasidh Krishna to Devdutt Padikkal, ! Devdutt Padikkal makes full use of the Free Hit. A juicy full toss on the pads, Padikkal picks it up and whips it behind square leg for a boundary. One hand comes off the handle but that doesn't matter.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Short and around off, Bharat steps back and slaps it through the line. Finds the point fielder. Called a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit time!

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Top delivery! On a length and outside off, holding its line, Bharat tries to force it through the line but misses.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, SAFE! Full in length and outside off, Bharat bunts it down to mid off and scampers across to the other end. There is a direct hit at the bowler's end and it's referred upstairs. Srikar Bharat is found to be safe in the replays.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Spears it full and around off, Bharat defends it back. The bowler lets it go and the mid off fielder collects the ball.

An umpire review for run out! Just a quick check for the third umpire as the batter was well inside the crease.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Full and outside off, Bharat drives through the line, good timing but his shot finds the cover fielder.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Sharp one, short and on middle, Bharat is hurried up into his pull shot and misses. He is thudded on the thigh pad and the ball falls near the surface. Srikar wants to take a run but is sent back.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Slightly short and around off, Devdutt Padikkal gets back and gently turns it in the gap at mid-wicket. He runs the first run hard but that's all he will get.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, ! A lovely extension of his arms and Devdutt has put it away in style. Fuller and around off, angling in from 'round the wicket, Padikkal shows the full face of the bat and lofts it behind the bowler's head.

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Angling in around middle, Srikar Bharat uses his wrists and flicks it through square leg for a run.

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Starts with a heavy delivery, short and close to off, Devdutt Padikkal stands back and guides it to third man for a single.

Lockie Ferguson is into the attack.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, The line is a bit too straight, Srikar works it in the gap at mid-wicket gets off the mark with a couple of runs.

Srikar Bharat walks out at number 3, he is on his debut.

Prasidh Krishna to Srikar Bharat, Pitches it up and around off, Bharat pushes it off his front foot to mid off.

Review time! Virat Kohli has taken a review for LBW. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracker shows three reds and Krishna gets the Bangalore captain for just 5 runs. Bangalore lose their review.

Who will bowl from the other end? It is Prasidh Krishna.

Time to get underway! The players are on the field along with the two umpires. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal march out to the centre to open the batting for Bangalore. Kolkata are beginning with the spin of Varun Chakravarthy. Here we go... 

Eoin Morgan, the skipper of Kolkata, says that the surface looks really good, it has a great covering of grass and should stay true for the entire duration of the game. Adds that they were struggling in terms of results before the break and hopes to turn things around and gather some momentum in the second half. 

Virat Kohli, the captain of Bangalore, says that the pitch has a good covering of grass but it's to hold the surface and it will slow down as the game progresses. Regarding their blue jersey, Kohli replies that this one is special and they are playing a game for the Covid warriors, and these jerseys will go for auction. Informs that there are two debutants for them, Srikar Bharat and Wanindu Hasaranga are playing their first game.

Bangalore (Playing XI) - Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (C), Srikar Bharat (WK) (On debut), AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga (On debut), Sachin Baby, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.

AB de Villiers catches up for a quick word. Mr 360 starts by saying that the humidity is right up there but the good thing is that the sun is about to set. Tells that the top five really enjoy batting together and feels that there is quality in abundance in the squad. Shares that there is some hard work behind closed doors and it's more about getting mentally prepared as he is now not playing international cricket.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer (On debut), Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna.

Toss - Both the captains are in the middle. Virat Kohli is sporting a blue jersey as Bangalore pay tribute to the frontline Covid warriors. Up goes the coin and wow, it has come down in favour of Kohli. BANGALORE ELECT TO BAT FIRST!

... MATCH DAY ...

A warm welcome to everyone for Match 31 of this season's Indian T20 League between Kolkata and Bangalore. If you look at the squad of these two groups, they will come across as evenly matched teams but a simple glance at the points table will tell you the real story. Bangalore are in the top four with 5 wins whereas Kolkata are near the foot of the table with 5 defeats. It's clear now that the form is with the Red Army but the momentum could have been lost due to the forced break. Keeping that b

Kohli vs Morgan, Gill vs Padikkal, ABD vs Dre Russ, Shakib vs Maxwell, Narine vs Chahal - The star value of this match is sky-high. As mentioned earlier, they are very evenly matched on paper. But the matches are won on the ground and let's wait and watch which team flexes its muscle more.

The last meeting - In the reverse fixture earlier this season, the insane batting from Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers powered Bangalore to 204 runs and then the Bangalore bowlers defended it clinically to register a thumping 38-run win. Can Kolkata take revenge? 

Milestone for King Kohli! Amidst all the breaking news about him stepping down as the captain of Bangalore, there is a record waiting for Kohli. He's all set to become the first player to feature in 200 matches in a single T20 tournament. His fans would love a big knock from his unusually silent bat to celebrate this moment.

Double century for Kolkata! 200 is turning out to be quite a significant number this evening. Kolkata will be playing their 200th Indian T20 League game. It's a rare feat, only Mumbai (211), Bangalore (204*) and Delhi (202) have achieved it.

Andre Russell is up for a chat. He says that they need to win the remaining matches to qualify but they are not stressing themselves and taking it one game at a time. Adds that he does not take too much pressure as you can do whatever is in your control. The West Indian feels that it is all about team effort in the end. Mentions that as an all-rounder, he would like to contribute as much as he can. Ends by saying that it is really hot and they are trying to acclimatize to the conditions.

Pitch report - Nick Knight and Matthew Hayden are down to inspect the pitch. They inform that it is really hot out there. Regarding the surface, there is a good covering of grass, evenly spread. There could be a tennis-ball bounce and the pacers will get something early on. The spinners could also play a role in the middle overs.