Right then, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be the happier of the two sides, and with the firepower in their ranks, they will back themselves to chase this down. Last season, three out of five night games in Kolkata were won by the chasing side, so there isnât a clear advantage either way. However, with dew setting in, even with the option to change the ball, defending this total wonât be easy for KKR. That said, they do have two top-quality spinners, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy,
Angkrish Raghuvanshi is in for a chat. He says RCB bowled pretty well in the second half of the first innings. On being asked about the ball gripping for the spinners, he mentions that it was doing much more when the pacers were rolling their fingers on the ball and taking pace off. Believes KKR have got a good bowling attack and is hopeful they will restrict them.
Krunal Pandya led RCB's fightback, with the bowlers chipping away at wickets. However, KKR kept finding boundaries, and the run rate stayed around 10 until the 14th over. It was in the final six overs that RCB truly reaped the rewards, tightening the screws and pulling things back. Only 33 runs were scored off the last 6 overs and KKR have fallen well short of where they would have wanted to be, given their strong start.
What did hurt the bowling side, however, was the latter half of the Powerplay. From 9/1 after three overs, Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine went on the attack and helped KKR finish the Powerplay on a high with 51 runs coming off the next three overs. Their onslaught didnât stop there, as both batters went on to score fifties and stitched together a century stand.
A strong fightback from RCB! The first innings saw momentum swing both ways. KKR raced to 107/2 in the first 10 overs, but RCB turned the tide, conceding just 67 runs and taking 6 wickets in the last 10 overs. As he has done so often in his career, Josh Hazlewood set the tone for RCB with a wicket in his very first over. Quinton de Kock was given a reprieve just a couple of balls earlier, but it didnât prove costly.
Spencer Johnson comes out to bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Spencer Johnson, On a back of a length, just around middle and leg, Spencer mishits the pull shot from the splice of his blade as the ball rolls into the off side. Only a single to end the innings. Kolkata Knight Riders finish at 174/8.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, ! c Jitesh Sharma b Josh Hazlewood.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, TOP EDGE AND ! A boundary after 11 balls for KKR! Back of a length, skidding through quickly on the batter, on top of off, Harshit Rana tries to pull aerially, but the top edge is found and it flies over the keeper's head for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, Make that three dots on the trot! Bangs hard on the surface, on the stumps, with some extra bounce, Harshit Rana again opts for a pull shot, swings and misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, Another dot! Again, an effort ball, short in length, just outside off, Harshit Rana fails to connect again.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, A dot to start the final over! Hoff hits the deck very hard, on the middle and leg stump line, Harshit Rana swings across but misses to connect.
Yash Dayal to Harshit Rana, Aims the pegs, on a fullish length, Harshit Rana stays leg side, and slaps it through covers for just a single. What a penultimate over from Yash Dayal. A wicket and just four singles off it.
Who walks in?
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Yash Dayal gets his first wicket and it makes a better over, much more better for him. Takes the pace off from the leather, does Yash Dayal, on a good length, angling across off, with a bit of an extra bounce off the surface. Angkrish Raghuvanshi weighs on the back foot to pull over the leg side, but is through his shot marginally early and the outside edge is found. The ball carries to the keeper and Jitesh Sharma takes a safe cat
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Fuller on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi hits it on the bounce to mid off.
Yash Dayal to Ramandeep Singh, 1 run.
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Short and on the stumps, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Yash Dayal to Ramandeep Singh, Slower one, on a good length, across off, Ramandeep Singh mistimes his back foot punch. Hits it a bit aerially to the cover region. Rajat Patidar dives to his left and half stops it on the bounce. The ball is parried to the deep and the batters cross for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Ramandeep Singh, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Outside off, on a length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi miscues the heave, in the air, and to the left of long on for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Oh, that is effortless!
Josh Hazlewood to Ramandeep Singh, Leg bye.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slows it down on a length, outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi shuffles across the off stump, and tries to pull it to the deep fine leg region, but mistimes it and the ball rolls between square leg and short fine leg. Angkrish Raghuvanshi scoots off for a single at the other end and has to put in a dive to reach home before the throw. A quick single taken.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Hits the deck hard, does Hoff, on a length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi swings to pull but misses. Some extra bounce on it.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Another quiet over for KKR! Just four off it. Shortish and outside off, Ramandeep Singh cuts it off the back foot but finds Devdutt Padikkal at backward point.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sliding on the pads, on a fullish length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi closes his bat face early, and the ball goes off the leading edge to cover.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Flat and on a length, on off, Ramandeep Singh rocks back and punches it in the cover region for one more.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Fuller and on middle and leg, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays close to the body and tucks it to the square leg region for a single.
Devdutt Padikkal comes in as the Impact Player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He will have a job to do later on with the bat. Suyash Sharma has been subbed out.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Liam fires it on a good length, on top of off, Ramandeep Singh hangs back and drags it to widish deep mid-wicket for a single.
Suyash Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, One more wrong'un, full and on the pads, Ramandeep Singh clips it to the square leg region for a single to end the over. An excellent over from Suyash Sharma. Just six runs off it and a wicket of the explosive Dre Russ. Suyash ends his spell with figures of 4-0-47-1.
Suyash Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, Another googly, full and on off, Ramandeep Singh leans on and works it to short mid-wicket.
STRATEGIC BREAK!
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, ! OUTFOXED, OUTCLASSED! A big, big wicket for RCB as Suyash Sharma has the last laugh!
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, ! Dre Russ gets off the mark with a boundary! Marginally outside off, on a good length, Andre Russell is quick to rock back and cuts it away past backward point for a boundary.
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, Floated up, fuller at 90.9 kph, on middle, Andre Russell leans on and pushes it to the leg side.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Dishes it on a good length, spinning away from off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi rocks back and cuts it away to deep cover for a single.
Andre Russell walks out now at number 7.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, ! CLEANED HIM UP!
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Short and on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi whips it off the back foot to long on for a run.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, No run.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Drops it short, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi jabs it to deep square leg for one more.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Too straight, slanting into the pads, Rinku nudges it to deep square leg for a single. An over that started well for RCB with 3 singles ends up going for 10 runs.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Fuller and slanting into the pads, Rinku clips it to the right of Yash Dayal at deep square leg for a couple of runs.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, ! Short and punished! Not all that short from Liam, on off, Rinku presses on the back foot and firms the pull to the left of long on for a boundary.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Short and on middle, Rinku knocks it down to long on with a straight bat for one.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, A leg-break first up to the right-hander, on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi dabs it down in front of backward point for a single.
Change? Yup. More spin. RCB with their sixth bowler. Liam Livingstone is introduced into the attack for the first time.Â
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, On a nagging length, on middle, AR gets down and sweeps it through square leg for one.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Continues to keep the length short and the trajectory flat, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays it off the back foot to the right of long on for a brace.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Angling into the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi whips it through mid-wicket for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, Tossed up, fuller and on off, Singh pushes it down to long off for a single.
Out walks Rinku Singh at number 6.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, ! DRAGGED ON! Wickets off successive overs for Krunal Pandya and he is thrilled to bits!
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide! A surprise delivery from Krunal. Digs it in short but this sails over the batter's head for a wide. Venkatesh Iyer quickly calls for a helmet.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Back-to-back boundaries for the young man! Pushed through quicker and on the shorter side, Angkrish waits on the back foot and cuts it well to the right of backward point for four more.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Top class! Tossed up, on off, a bit too full, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plants his front foot ahead and lifts it to the left of long off for a boundary.
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter and shorter, on off, Iyer jabs at the delivery. Gets an outside edge that travels quickly to short third but Yash Dayal is up to the task there. Puts a dive to his left and keeps it to a single.
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Four!
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Another googly and this leaves the left-hander, on off, Iyer cuts but can't get it past backward point.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slips in the googly, full and attacking the front pad, Angkrish Raghuvanshi works it with the turn to deep square leg for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Floated up, on the pads, on a length, Iyer wrists it to mid-wicket. Back-to-back successful overs for RCB.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Slightly slower and fuller too, on middle and leg, Iyer steps out and turns it to mid-wicket. Angkrish wants to sneak in a quick single but Rajat Patidar gets to the ball and quickly releases the throw.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Darted in again, on the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi clips it towards mid-wicket and opens his account with a single.
Who walks out now?
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! TAKEN! Krunal Pandya strikes on his return to the attack! A double whammy for RCB. A wonderful innings comes to an end from the KKR skipper. Krunal spears it into the right-hander from around the wicket, on a nagging length, Rahane crouches a bit to get under the ball and pull it away. The ball gets a bit too close to him and he neither gets the distance nor the elevation.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Pushed through again, on middle, Iyer gets on his toes and whips this short ball away to deep mid-wicket. Gets off the mark with a single.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! EDGED AND CAUGHT BEHIND! Finally, RCB get a breakthrough! Rasikh stays around the stumps and pitches it on the good length, just around off. It just bounces a bit more off the surface as Sunil Narine tries to clear the in-field on the off side, but due to that excessive bounce, the ball gets heavy on the batter and the outside edge is found. It lobs straight into the safe gloves of Jitesh Sharma who completes a regulation catch. An entertaining inning f
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, Rahane punches it down to long on for a single.
Ajinkya Rahane is joined by his deputy, Venkatesh Iyer.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! Audacious! The 100-run stand comes up between Narine and Rahane - including 11 sixes! Short of a good length angling on off, Sunil Narine hangs back and pulls it behind deep mid-wicket for a huge biggie.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, Short of good length, pitching outside off stump, Sunil tries to play an aggressive cut shot and is beaten.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! 100 up for KKR! And this has really been a runaway train so far!
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Short in length, on the top of middle, Ajinkya Rahane stands tall and pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, A slower ball from Rasikh, good length, around off and middle, nipping back in. Ajinkya Rahane tries to pull it away to the leg side, but is early in the shot, and inside edges onto the pads.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! Bludgeouned away! Flat and full from Suyash, on the stumps, Sunil Narine clears his front foot, gets his bat right under the ball and smashes it over the bowler for a boundary. The partnership grows to 92 off just 52 deliveries.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! Just wow! A googly, on a fullish length, outside off, Sunil Narine gets low and smashes it over covers for a cracking six.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, 2 runs.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Slowish, fuller and on off, Ajinkya Rahane drives it through covers for a single.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Length ball, outside off, Ajinkya chips it over the covers and collects a couple of quick runs.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, ! In the arc, and out of the park! FIFTY FOR RAHANE! His 31st IPL fifty, including 2 centuries!
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, WIDE! Sliding down leg. Rahane misses to sweep. Wide given.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, Outside off on a good length, slower at 106.1 kph, Sunil Narine frees his arms and punches it to the off side, but Virat Kohli, stationed at the cover region cuts it off.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! Carved away smartly! Overpitched outside off, Sunil Narine opens the bat face and shovels it behind square on the off side, gets a boundary at widish deep third.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, This one stays low! Slower one at 107.2 kph, full and outside off, Sunil Narine swings but misses.Â
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, WIDE! This one just lifts off the deck wildly, angling into the batter, but over the head. Sunil lets it pass. Wide called.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Back of a length and angling into the batter, Rahane backs away and pulls it to long on for a single.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, A low full toss, outside off, Sunil Narine throws his bat at it, and the ball takes the thick bottom edge of the bat, and goes back to the left of the keeper, who dives full-stretched and half stops it. It is parried to the short third region, and the batters cross over for one.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, WIDE! From around the stumps, outside the tramline on the off side, Sunil Narine offers no shot at it.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Straying on the pads, on a fuller length, Ajinkya Rahane misses to flick it away and the ball thuds the front pad, before rolling into the leg side. They cross for a leg bye. A mild appeal for LBW by the bowler, but clearly going way down leg.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Shortens the length, does Sharma, on off, Ajinkya Rahane punches it uppishly through mid off for a single. A quiet over this, just 5 off it.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Even quicker now, at 98.5 kph, good length, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane gets beaten on the outside edge as he tries to cut it square.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Floated up, at 97.2 kph, full on off, Ajinkya Rahane gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Suyash Sharma appears to be having some trouble with the landing area and has called for sawdust to be applied. A brief pause in play as the ground staff tends to the issue. We are all good to go.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Gracefully placed! Short again from Suyash, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane stands tall and punches it through covers for a boundary. The fielder, Phil Salt, runs across to his left in the deep, but the ball has got enough wheels on it to get to the fence. Stand and deliver from the KKR skipper!
STRATEGIC BREAK! A Powerplay of two contrasting halves! Royal Challengers Bengaluru had the upper hand in the first three overs, reducing KKR to 9/1. But the tide quickly turned as the next three overs went for a blistering 51 runs, shifting momentum firmly in the Knight Riders' favour. This pitch is an absolute belter for batting, and whatever movement was on offer early on seems to have vanished. Ajinkya Rahane is off to a flying start for the home side, and RCB will be hoping this break help
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Begins from over the stumps, a drag downer to start with, on a length, outside off, Rahane lets it be.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, Switches to around the stumps, on a length, angling on off, Ajinkya Rahane waits for the ball to arrive and opens the bat face, and glides it to deep third for a single. Kolkata Knight Riders end their Powerplay at 60/1.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Poor and got the treatment! A slower full toss, across off, Ajinkya Rahane crouches a bit and places it wonderfully between cover and point for a boundary. This is a breezy start for KKR, barring those first three overs.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, ! 50 UP FOR KKR! What a pick-up shot this is! Offered right into the wheelhouse, on the fuller side on the legs, Ajinkya Rahane just picks it up nicely and deposits it behind square for a six at deep backward square leg.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, EDGED AND ! Streaky, but doesn't matter! Runs flowing for KKR! Speared in fuller in length, angling back in. Ajinkya Rahane shapes up to whip it across to the leg side, but the top edge is found and the ball flies over short third for a boundary.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, In the air...on the bounce in the deep! Fuller, shaping a bit away, Sunil Narine slices it over the inner ring, over point for a single.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, ! Pierced away! Full in length from Dayal, angling on the pads, Sunil Narine flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.
Yash Dayal is back on.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Two in two for Rahane and the KKR skipper is up and running! Slanting in from around the wicket, on a length, Rahane gets under the ball and pumps it over mid on for four more. An expensive first over from Krunal, 15 runs off it. 31 runs off the last 2 overs for the Knight Riders.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Good shot! The same cannot be said about the ball though. With square leg and fine leg inside the circle, this is full and on the pads, Rahane gets down on a knee and sweeps it over square leg for a boundary.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, Spots the batter backing away does KP and he follows him. This skids through, on a nagging length, tucked to square leg by Rahane.
Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, Fired in full and into the pads by Krunal, Narine knocks it to the left of long on for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, ! Krunal Pandya is greeted into the attack with a monstrous hit! 3 sixes in the last 5 balls for KKR. Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, on off, Narine swings across the line and thumps it over deep mid-wicket for a six.
Hoff to get another? Double change then. The first sights of spin. Krunal Pandya introduced into the attack, replacing Josh Hazlewood.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Hurls it on a good length and this goes away off the seam, on the off stump, Ajinkya looks to keep it out with a straight bat. Gets an outside edge that rolls towards short third where Josh Hazlewood dives to his right and cuts it off.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! This is even better than the previous one! Came right off the screws for the KKR skipper.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, In the channel on off, on a length, Rahane leans into the shot and sweetly drives it but straight to Krunal Pandya at cover-point.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Nicely picked up! Ajinkya Rahane with the first six of the 2025 IPL! With an upright seam, on a short of a good length, on middle, Rahane picks it up quickly and whips it over deep backward square leg for a six.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Easy pickings! Sliding down leg, on the fuller side, Rahane helps it well wide of deep fine leg to his right for a boundary.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Good start from Salam! Jagging back into the right-hander and a bit of lift off the deck, on off, Rahane stands tall to punch it away but the ball comes off the splice of the bat and dribbles in front of cover.
Will Dayal continue? He won't. The first change in the bowling from RCB. Here's Rasikh Salam into the attack.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, At the stumps, on a good length, Sunil Narine stays leg side of the ball and mows it on the bounce to mid on without much timing.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, ! Streaky! A well-directed bumper by Josh at the left shoulder of the batter, Sunil gets into a bit of a tangle. Tries to take the short ball on and gets a top edge that flies over the keeper for his first boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, At 139 kph, leaving the left-hander, on a short of a good length, Sunil Narine has a heave across the line but misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, Beaten again! This kicks up a bit, on a hard length, on off, Narine looks to flay at it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, Swing and a miss! On a back of a length, over middle, Sunil Narine backs away to go big on the leg side but connects with thin air.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, An optimistic shout for LBW! Swinging back into the right-hander, fuller in length, Ajinkya Rahane swings at it to swipe it away on the leg side but misses. Gets rapped on the front pad but the ball seemed to have pitched outside leg from the over-the-wicket angle.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, The length is pulled back now, angling into the left-hander, Narine backs away and goes deep in the crease. Jabs it to the left of mid on for a single to get off the mark.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, No run.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, Shaping away, near the tramline on off, on a short of a good length, Sunil Narine leaves the ball alone.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, On the fuller side, on off, Narine pats it back to the bowler.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, Has Narine been strangled down leg on the very first ball? There was a noise as the ball went past the batter and the appeal was quite confident from the keeper and the bowler.
What an action-packed opening over! Just up to the hype. Here's Yash Dayal to operate from the far end.
Josh Hazlewood to Ajinkya Rahane, Angling into the right-hander, on a good length, on middle, Ajinkya Rahane defends it solidly with a straight bat.
Who walks out now?
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! EDGED AND GONE! Quinton de Kock is gone this time! Suyash Sharma will be the most relieved man in all of Kolkata.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! Would you believe it? Suyash Sharma has shelled a dolly!
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, Going across the left-hander, on a length, Quinton de Kock lets it be.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! Quinton de Kock and Kolkata Knight Riders are underway! Josh Hazlewood pushes it across the left-hander but ends up offering a bit of width and it is on the shorter side. Quinton de Kock frees his arms and slaps it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, Josh is right on the money! Lands it on a good length, on top of off, at 139.6 kph, Quinton de Kock hangs back and stabs it beside the pitch on the off side.
Here we go then! The bell has rung at the iconic Eden Gardens and it is time for the action to get underway in this curtain raiser! A full house in this 'City of Joy', no surprises at all. The decibel levels are high as the two umpires walk out to the middle. The players of Royal Challengers Bengaluru spread out to the park and take their fielding positions. Now then, the fresh opening pair for the Kolkata Knight Riders walk out. It is Sunil Narine accompanied by Quinton de Kock as the two w
The skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane says that they would have bowled first as well but toss is something which is not in your control. Adds that it is important to play good cricket throughout the 40 overs and he hopes that they can bat well as a unit. Mentions that it is an honour to lead the side. Shares that they have managed to retain the core group from the previous season. States that everyone in the team has settled well and they have an experienced group. Informs that t
The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Patidar says it looks like a decent surface. Observes that it is a hard deck and aims that they will restrict KKR as early as possible. Feels amazing to lead RCB for the first time and mentions there are some great players in the squad, and he has learnt a lot from them. Says the preparations have been really good coming into this game, and the boys are looking confident. Says they are going with three fast bowlers and two spinners.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (WK), Rajat Patidar (C), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Impact players nominated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru -Â Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinandan Singh, Manoj Bhandage, Romario Shepherd and Swapnil Singh.
Impact players nominated by Kolkata Knight Riders - Anrich Nortje, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy and Luvnith Sisodia.
TOSS - Rajat Patidar calls it correctly and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have opted to BOWL first.
We are back for RCB's reply.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
Right then, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be the happier of the two sides, and with the firepower in their ranks, they will back themselves to chase this down. Last season, three out of five night games in Kolkata were won by the chasing side, so there isnât a clear advantage either way. However, with dew setting in, even with the option to change the ball, defending this total wonât be easy for KKR. That said, they do have two top-quality spinners, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy,
Angkrish Raghuvanshi is in for a chat. He says RCB bowled pretty well in the second half of the first innings. On being asked about the ball gripping for the spinners, he mentions that it was doing much more when the pacers were rolling their fingers on the ball and taking pace off. Believes KKR have got a good bowling attack and is hopeful they will restrict them.
Krunal Pandya led RCB's fightback, with the bowlers chipping away at wickets. However, KKR kept finding boundaries, and the run rate stayed around 10 until the 14th over. It was in the final six overs that RCB truly reaped the rewards, tightening the screws and pulling things back. Only 33 runs were scored off the last 6 overs and KKR have fallen well short of where they would have wanted to be, given their strong start.
What did hurt the bowling side, however, was the latter half of the Powerplay. From 9/1 after three overs, Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine went on the attack and helped KKR finish the Powerplay on a high with 51 runs coming off the next three overs. Their onslaught didnât stop there, as both batters went on to score fifties and stitched together a century stand.
A strong fightback from RCB! The first innings saw momentum swing both ways. KKR raced to 107/2 in the first 10 overs, but RCB turned the tide, conceding just 67 runs and taking 6 wickets in the last 10 overs. As he has done so often in his career, Josh Hazlewood set the tone for RCB with a wicket in his very first over. Quinton de Kock was given a reprieve just a couple of balls earlier, but it didnât prove costly.
Spencer Johnson comes out to bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Spencer Johnson, On a back of a length, just around middle and leg, Spencer mishits the pull shot from the splice of his blade as the ball rolls into the off side. Only a single to end the innings. Kolkata Knight Riders finish at 174/8.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, ! c Jitesh Sharma b Josh Hazlewood.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, TOP EDGE AND ! A boundary after 11 balls for KKR! Back of a length, skidding through quickly on the batter, on top of off, Harshit Rana tries to pull aerially, but the top edge is found and it flies over the keeper's head for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, Make that three dots on the trot! Bangs hard on the surface, on the stumps, with some extra bounce, Harshit Rana again opts for a pull shot, swings and misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, Another dot! Again, an effort ball, short in length, just outside off, Harshit Rana fails to connect again.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, A dot to start the final over! Hoff hits the deck very hard, on the middle and leg stump line, Harshit Rana swings across but misses to connect.
Yash Dayal to Harshit Rana, Aims the pegs, on a fullish length, Harshit Rana stays leg side, and slaps it through covers for just a single. What a penultimate over from Yash Dayal. A wicket and just four singles off it.
Who walks in?
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Yash Dayal gets his first wicket and it makes a better over, much more better for him. Takes the pace off from the leather, does Yash Dayal, on a good length, angling across off, with a bit of an extra bounce off the surface. Angkrish Raghuvanshi weighs on the back foot to pull over the leg side, but is through his shot marginally early and the outside edge is found. The ball carries to the keeper and Jitesh Sharma takes a safe cat
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Fuller on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi hits it on the bounce to mid off.
Yash Dayal to Ramandeep Singh, 1 run.
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Short and on the stumps, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Yash Dayal to Ramandeep Singh, Slower one, on a good length, across off, Ramandeep Singh mistimes his back foot punch. Hits it a bit aerially to the cover region. Rajat Patidar dives to his left and half stops it on the bounce. The ball is parried to the deep and the batters cross for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Ramandeep Singh, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Outside off, on a length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi miscues the heave, in the air, and to the left of long on for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Oh, that is effortless!
Josh Hazlewood to Ramandeep Singh, Leg bye.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slows it down on a length, outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi shuffles across the off stump, and tries to pull it to the deep fine leg region, but mistimes it and the ball rolls between square leg and short fine leg. Angkrish Raghuvanshi scoots off for a single at the other end and has to put in a dive to reach home before the throw. A quick single taken.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Hits the deck hard, does Hoff, on a length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi swings to pull but misses. Some extra bounce on it.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Another quiet over for KKR! Just four off it. Shortish and outside off, Ramandeep Singh cuts it off the back foot but finds Devdutt Padikkal at backward point.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sliding on the pads, on a fullish length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi closes his bat face early, and the ball goes off the leading edge to cover.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Flat and on a length, on off, Ramandeep Singh rocks back and punches it in the cover region for one more.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Fuller and on middle and leg, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays close to the body and tucks it to the square leg region for a single.
Devdutt Padikkal comes in as the Impact Player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He will have a job to do later on with the bat. Suyash Sharma has been subbed out.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Liam fires it on a good length, on top of off, Ramandeep Singh hangs back and drags it to widish deep mid-wicket for a single.
Suyash Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, One more wrong'un, full and on the pads, Ramandeep Singh clips it to the square leg region for a single to end the over. An excellent over from Suyash Sharma. Just six runs off it and a wicket of the explosive Dre Russ. Suyash ends his spell with figures of 4-0-47-1.
Suyash Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, Another googly, full and on off, Ramandeep Singh leans on and works it to short mid-wicket.
STRATEGIC BREAK!
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, ! OUTFOXED, OUTCLASSED! A big, big wicket for RCB as Suyash Sharma has the last laugh!
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, ! Dre Russ gets off the mark with a boundary! Marginally outside off, on a good length, Andre Russell is quick to rock back and cuts it away past backward point for a boundary.
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, Floated up, fuller at 90.9 kph, on middle, Andre Russell leans on and pushes it to the leg side.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Dishes it on a good length, spinning away from off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi rocks back and cuts it away to deep cover for a single.
Andre Russell walks out now at number 7.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, ! CLEANED HIM UP!
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Short and on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi whips it off the back foot to long on for a run.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, No run.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Drops it short, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi jabs it to deep square leg for one more.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Too straight, slanting into the pads, Rinku nudges it to deep square leg for a single. An over that started well for RCB with 3 singles ends up going for 10 runs.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Fuller and slanting into the pads, Rinku clips it to the right of Yash Dayal at deep square leg for a couple of runs.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, ! Short and punished! Not all that short from Liam, on off, Rinku presses on the back foot and firms the pull to the left of long on for a boundary.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Short and on middle, Rinku knocks it down to long on with a straight bat for one.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, A leg-break first up to the right-hander, on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi dabs it down in front of backward point for a single.
Change? Yup. More spin. RCB with their sixth bowler. Liam Livingstone is introduced into the attack for the first time.Â
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, On a nagging length, on middle, AR gets down and sweeps it through square leg for one.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Continues to keep the length short and the trajectory flat, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays it off the back foot to the right of long on for a brace.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Angling into the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi whips it through mid-wicket for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, Tossed up, fuller and on off, Singh pushes it down to long off for a single.
Out walks Rinku Singh at number 6.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, ! DRAGGED ON! Wickets off successive overs for Krunal Pandya and he is thrilled to bits!
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide! A surprise delivery from Krunal. Digs it in short but this sails over the batter's head for a wide. Venkatesh Iyer quickly calls for a helmet.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Back-to-back boundaries for the young man! Pushed through quicker and on the shorter side, Angkrish waits on the back foot and cuts it well to the right of backward point for four more.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Top class! Tossed up, on off, a bit too full, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plants his front foot ahead and lifts it to the left of long off for a boundary.
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter and shorter, on off, Iyer jabs at the delivery. Gets an outside edge that travels quickly to short third but Yash Dayal is up to the task there. Puts a dive to his left and keeps it to a single.
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Four!
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Another googly and this leaves the left-hander, on off, Iyer cuts but can't get it past backward point.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slips in the googly, full and attacking the front pad, Angkrish Raghuvanshi works it with the turn to deep square leg for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Floated up, on the pads, on a length, Iyer wrists it to mid-wicket. Back-to-back successful overs for RCB.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Slightly slower and fuller too, on middle and leg, Iyer steps out and turns it to mid-wicket. Angkrish wants to sneak in a quick single but Rajat Patidar gets to the ball and quickly releases the throw.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Darted in again, on the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi clips it towards mid-wicket and opens his account with a single.
Who walks out now?
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! TAKEN! Krunal Pandya strikes on his return to the attack! A double whammy for RCB. A wonderful innings comes to an end from the KKR skipper. Krunal spears it into the right-hander from around the wicket, on a nagging length, Rahane crouches a bit to get under the ball and pull it away. The ball gets a bit too close to him and he neither gets the distance nor the elevation.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Pushed through again, on middle, Iyer gets on his toes and whips this short ball away to deep mid-wicket. Gets off the mark with a single.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! EDGED AND CAUGHT BEHIND! Finally, RCB get a breakthrough! Rasikh stays around the stumps and pitches it on the good length, just around off. It just bounces a bit more off the surface as Sunil Narine tries to clear the in-field on the off side, but due to that excessive bounce, the ball gets heavy on the batter and the outside edge is found. It lobs straight into the safe gloves of Jitesh Sharma who completes a regulation catch. An entertaining inning f
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, Rahane punches it down to long on for a single.
Ajinkya Rahane is joined by his deputy, Venkatesh Iyer.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! Audacious! The 100-run stand comes up between Narine and Rahane - including 11 sixes! Short of a good length angling on off, Sunil Narine hangs back and pulls it behind deep mid-wicket for a huge biggie.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, Short of good length, pitching outside off stump, Sunil tries to play an aggressive cut shot and is beaten.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! 100 up for KKR! And this has really been a runaway train so far!
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Short in length, on the top of middle, Ajinkya Rahane stands tall and pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, A slower ball from Rasikh, good length, around off and middle, nipping back in. Ajinkya Rahane tries to pull it away to the leg side, but is early in the shot, and inside edges onto the pads.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! Bludgeouned away! Flat and full from Suyash, on the stumps, Sunil Narine clears his front foot, gets his bat right under the ball and smashes it over the bowler for a boundary. The partnership grows to 92 off just 52 deliveries.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! Just wow! A googly, on a fullish length, outside off, Sunil Narine gets low and smashes it over covers for a cracking six.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, 2 runs.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Slowish, fuller and on off, Ajinkya Rahane drives it through covers for a single.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Length ball, outside off, Ajinkya chips it over the covers and collects a couple of quick runs.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, ! In the arc, and out of the park! FIFTY FOR RAHANE! His 31st IPL fifty, including 2 centuries!
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, WIDE! Sliding down leg. Rahane misses to sweep. Wide given.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, Outside off on a good length, slower at 106.1 kph, Sunil Narine frees his arms and punches it to the off side, but Virat Kohli, stationed at the cover region cuts it off.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! Carved away smartly! Overpitched outside off, Sunil Narine opens the bat face and shovels it behind square on the off side, gets a boundary at widish deep third.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, This one stays low! Slower one at 107.2 kph, full and outside off, Sunil Narine swings but misses.Â
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, WIDE! This one just lifts off the deck wildly, angling into the batter, but over the head. Sunil lets it pass. Wide called.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Back of a length and angling into the batter, Rahane backs away and pulls it to long on for a single.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, A low full toss, outside off, Sunil Narine throws his bat at it, and the ball takes the thick bottom edge of the bat, and goes back to the left of the keeper, who dives full-stretched and half stops it. It is parried to the short third region, and the batters cross over for one.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, WIDE! From around the stumps, outside the tramline on the off side, Sunil Narine offers no shot at it.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Straying on the pads, on a fuller length, Ajinkya Rahane misses to flick it away and the ball thuds the front pad, before rolling into the leg side. They cross for a leg bye. A mild appeal for LBW by the bowler, but clearly going way down leg.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Shortens the length, does Sharma, on off, Ajinkya Rahane punches it uppishly through mid off for a single. A quiet over this, just 5 off it.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Even quicker now, at 98.5 kph, good length, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane gets beaten on the outside edge as he tries to cut it square.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Floated up, at 97.2 kph, full on off, Ajinkya Rahane gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Suyash Sharma appears to be having some trouble with the landing area and has called for sawdust to be applied. A brief pause in play as the ground staff tends to the issue. We are all good to go.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Gracefully placed! Short again from Suyash, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane stands tall and punches it through covers for a boundary. The fielder, Phil Salt, runs across to his left in the deep, but the ball has got enough wheels on it to get to the fence. Stand and deliver from the KKR skipper!
STRATEGIC BREAK! A Powerplay of two contrasting halves! Royal Challengers Bengaluru had the upper hand in the first three overs, reducing KKR to 9/1. But the tide quickly turned as the next three overs went for a blistering 51 runs, shifting momentum firmly in the Knight Riders' favour. This pitch is an absolute belter for batting, and whatever movement was on offer early on seems to have vanished. Ajinkya Rahane is off to a flying start for the home side, and RCB will be hoping this break help
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Begins from over the stumps, a drag downer to start with, on a length, outside off, Rahane lets it be.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, Switches to around the stumps, on a length, angling on off, Ajinkya Rahane waits for the ball to arrive and opens the bat face, and glides it to deep third for a single. Kolkata Knight Riders end their Powerplay at 60/1.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Poor and got the treatment! A slower full toss, across off, Ajinkya Rahane crouches a bit and places it wonderfully between cover and point for a boundary. This is a breezy start for KKR, barring those first three overs.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, ! 50 UP FOR KKR! What a pick-up shot this is! Offered right into the wheelhouse, on the fuller side on the legs, Ajinkya Rahane just picks it up nicely and deposits it behind square for a six at deep backward square leg.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, EDGED AND ! Streaky, but doesn't matter! Runs flowing for KKR! Speared in fuller in length, angling back in. Ajinkya Rahane shapes up to whip it across to the leg side, but the top edge is found and the ball flies over short third for a boundary.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, In the air...on the bounce in the deep! Fuller, shaping a bit away, Sunil Narine slices it over the inner ring, over point for a single.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, ! Pierced away! Full in length from Dayal, angling on the pads, Sunil Narine flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.
Yash Dayal is back on.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Two in two for Rahane and the KKR skipper is up and running! Slanting in from around the wicket, on a length, Rahane gets under the ball and pumps it over mid on for four more. An expensive first over from Krunal, 15 runs off it. 31 runs off the last 2 overs for the Knight Riders.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Good shot! The same cannot be said about the ball though. With square leg and fine leg inside the circle, this is full and on the pads, Rahane gets down on a knee and sweeps it over square leg for a boundary.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, Spots the batter backing away does KP and he follows him. This skids through, on a nagging length, tucked to square leg by Rahane.
Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, Fired in full and into the pads by Krunal, Narine knocks it to the left of long on for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, ! Krunal Pandya is greeted into the attack with a monstrous hit! 3 sixes in the last 5 balls for KKR. Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, on off, Narine swings across the line and thumps it over deep mid-wicket for a six.
Hoff to get another? Double change then. The first sights of spin. Krunal Pandya introduced into the attack, replacing Josh Hazlewood.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Hurls it on a good length and this goes away off the seam, on the off stump, Ajinkya looks to keep it out with a straight bat. Gets an outside edge that rolls towards short third where Josh Hazlewood dives to his right and cuts it off.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! This is even better than the previous one! Came right off the screws for the KKR skipper.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, In the channel on off, on a length, Rahane leans into the shot and sweetly drives it but straight to Krunal Pandya at cover-point.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Nicely picked up! Ajinkya Rahane with the first six of the 2025 IPL! With an upright seam, on a short of a good length, on middle, Rahane picks it up quickly and whips it over deep backward square leg for a six.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Easy pickings! Sliding down leg, on the fuller side, Rahane helps it well wide of deep fine leg to his right for a boundary.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Good start from Salam! Jagging back into the right-hander and a bit of lift off the deck, on off, Rahane stands tall to punch it away but the ball comes off the splice of the bat and dribbles in front of cover.
Will Dayal continue? He won't. The first change in the bowling from RCB. Here's Rasikh Salam into the attack.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, At the stumps, on a good length, Sunil Narine stays leg side of the ball and mows it on the bounce to mid on without much timing.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, ! Streaky! A well-directed bumper by Josh at the left shoulder of the batter, Sunil gets into a bit of a tangle. Tries to take the short ball on and gets a top edge that flies over the keeper for his first boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, At 139 kph, leaving the left-hander, on a short of a good length, Sunil Narine has a heave across the line but misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, Beaten again! This kicks up a bit, on a hard length, on off, Narine looks to flay at it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, Swing and a miss! On a back of a length, over middle, Sunil Narine backs away to go big on the leg side but connects with thin air.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, An optimistic shout for LBW! Swinging back into the right-hander, fuller in length, Ajinkya Rahane swings at it to swipe it away on the leg side but misses. Gets rapped on the front pad but the ball seemed to have pitched outside leg from the over-the-wicket angle.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, The length is pulled back now, angling into the left-hander, Narine backs away and goes deep in the crease. Jabs it to the left of mid on for a single to get off the mark.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, No run.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, Shaping away, near the tramline on off, on a short of a good length, Sunil Narine leaves the ball alone.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, On the fuller side, on off, Narine pats it back to the bowler.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, Has Narine been strangled down leg on the very first ball? There was a noise as the ball went past the batter and the appeal was quite confident from the keeper and the bowler.
What an action-packed opening over! Just up to the hype. Here's Yash Dayal to operate from the far end.
Josh Hazlewood to Ajinkya Rahane, Angling into the right-hander, on a good length, on middle, Ajinkya Rahane defends it solidly with a straight bat.
Who walks out now?
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! EDGED AND GONE! Quinton de Kock is gone this time! Suyash Sharma will be the most relieved man in all of Kolkata.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! Would you believe it? Suyash Sharma has shelled a dolly!
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, Going across the left-hander, on a length, Quinton de Kock lets it be.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! Quinton de Kock and Kolkata Knight Riders are underway! Josh Hazlewood pushes it across the left-hander but ends up offering a bit of width and it is on the shorter side. Quinton de Kock frees his arms and slaps it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, Josh is right on the money! Lands it on a good length, on top of off, at 139.6 kph, Quinton de Kock hangs back and stabs it beside the pitch on the off side.
Here we go then! The bell has rung at the iconic Eden Gardens and it is time for the action to get underway in this curtain raiser! A full house in this 'City of Joy', no surprises at all. The decibel levels are high as the two umpires walk out to the middle. The players of Royal Challengers Bengaluru spread out to the park and take their fielding positions. Now then, the fresh opening pair for the Kolkata Knight Riders walk out. It is Sunil Narine accompanied by Quinton de Kock as the two w
The skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane says that they would have bowled first as well but toss is something which is not in your control. Adds that it is important to play good cricket throughout the 40 overs and he hopes that they can bat well as a unit. Mentions that it is an honour to lead the side. Shares that they have managed to retain the core group from the previous season. States that everyone in the team has settled well and they have an experienced group. Informs that t
The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Patidar says it looks like a decent surface. Observes that it is a hard deck and aims that they will restrict KKR as early as possible. Feels amazing to lead RCB for the first time and mentions there are some great players in the squad, and he has learnt a lot from them. Says the preparations have been really good coming into this game, and the boys are looking confident. Says they are going with three fast bowlers and two spinners.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (WK), Rajat Patidar (C), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Impact players nominated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru -Â Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinandan Singh, Manoj Bhandage, Romario Shepherd and Swapnil Singh.
Impact players nominated by Kolkata Knight Riders - Anrich Nortje, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy and Luvnith Sisodia.
TOSS - Rajat Patidar calls it correctly and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have opted to BOWL first.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru
177/3(16.2 Overs)
We are back for RCB's reply.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
Right then, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be the happier of the two sides, and with the firepower in their ranks, they will back themselves to chase this down. Last season, three out of five night games in Kolkata were won by the chasing side, so there isnât a clear advantage either way. However, with dew setting in, even with the option to change the ball, defending this total wonât be easy for KKR. That said, they do have two top-quality spinners, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy,
Angkrish Raghuvanshi is in for a chat. He says RCB bowled pretty well in the second half of the first innings. On being asked about the ball gripping for the spinners, he mentions that it was doing much more when the pacers were rolling their fingers on the ball and taking pace off. Believes KKR have got a good bowling attack and is hopeful they will restrict them.
Krunal Pandya led RCB's fightback, with the bowlers chipping away at wickets. However, KKR kept finding boundaries, and the run rate stayed around 10 until the 14th over. It was in the final six overs that RCB truly reaped the rewards, tightening the screws and pulling things back. Only 33 runs were scored off the last 6 overs and KKR have fallen well short of where they would have wanted to be, given their strong start.
What did hurt the bowling side, however, was the latter half of the Powerplay. From 9/1 after three overs, Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine went on the attack and helped KKR finish the Powerplay on a high with 51 runs coming off the next three overs. Their onslaught didnât stop there, as both batters went on to score fifties and stitched together a century stand.
A strong fightback from RCB! The first innings saw momentum swing both ways. KKR raced to 107/2 in the first 10 overs, but RCB turned the tide, conceding just 67 runs and taking 6 wickets in the last 10 overs. As he has done so often in his career, Josh Hazlewood set the tone for RCB with a wicket in his very first over. Quinton de Kock was given a reprieve just a couple of balls earlier, but it didnât prove costly.
Spencer Johnson comes out to bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Spencer Johnson, On a back of a length, just around middle and leg, Spencer mishits the pull shot from the splice of his blade as the ball rolls into the off side. Only a single to end the innings. Kolkata Knight Riders finish at 174/8.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, ! c Jitesh Sharma b Josh Hazlewood.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, TOP EDGE AND ! A boundary after 11 balls for KKR! Back of a length, skidding through quickly on the batter, on top of off, Harshit Rana tries to pull aerially, but the top edge is found and it flies over the keeper's head for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, Make that three dots on the trot! Bangs hard on the surface, on the stumps, with some extra bounce, Harshit Rana again opts for a pull shot, swings and misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, Another dot! Again, an effort ball, short in length, just outside off, Harshit Rana fails to connect again.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, A dot to start the final over! Hoff hits the deck very hard, on the middle and leg stump line, Harshit Rana swings across but misses to connect.
Yash Dayal to Harshit Rana, Aims the pegs, on a fullish length, Harshit Rana stays leg side, and slaps it through covers for just a single. What a penultimate over from Yash Dayal. A wicket and just four singles off it.
Who walks in?
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Yash Dayal gets his first wicket and it makes a better over, much more better for him. Takes the pace off from the leather, does Yash Dayal, on a good length, angling across off, with a bit of an extra bounce off the surface. Angkrish Raghuvanshi weighs on the back foot to pull over the leg side, but is through his shot marginally early and the outside edge is found. The ball carries to the keeper and Jitesh Sharma takes a safe cat
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Fuller on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi hits it on the bounce to mid off.
Yash Dayal to Ramandeep Singh, 1 run.
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Short and on the stumps, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Yash Dayal to Ramandeep Singh, Slower one, on a good length, across off, Ramandeep Singh mistimes his back foot punch. Hits it a bit aerially to the cover region. Rajat Patidar dives to his left and half stops it on the bounce. The ball is parried to the deep and the batters cross for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Ramandeep Singh, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Outside off, on a length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi miscues the heave, in the air, and to the left of long on for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Oh, that is effortless!
Josh Hazlewood to Ramandeep Singh, Leg bye.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slows it down on a length, outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi shuffles across the off stump, and tries to pull it to the deep fine leg region, but mistimes it and the ball rolls between square leg and short fine leg. Angkrish Raghuvanshi scoots off for a single at the other end and has to put in a dive to reach home before the throw. A quick single taken.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Hits the deck hard, does Hoff, on a length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi swings to pull but misses. Some extra bounce on it.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Another quiet over for KKR! Just four off it. Shortish and outside off, Ramandeep Singh cuts it off the back foot but finds Devdutt Padikkal at backward point.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sliding on the pads, on a fullish length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi closes his bat face early, and the ball goes off the leading edge to cover.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Flat and on a length, on off, Ramandeep Singh rocks back and punches it in the cover region for one more.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Fuller and on middle and leg, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays close to the body and tucks it to the square leg region for a single.
Devdutt Padikkal comes in as the Impact Player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He will have a job to do later on with the bat. Suyash Sharma has been subbed out.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Liam fires it on a good length, on top of off, Ramandeep Singh hangs back and drags it to widish deep mid-wicket for a single.
Suyash Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, One more wrong'un, full and on the pads, Ramandeep Singh clips it to the square leg region for a single to end the over. An excellent over from Suyash Sharma. Just six runs off it and a wicket of the explosive Dre Russ. Suyash ends his spell with figures of 4-0-47-1.
Suyash Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, Another googly, full and on off, Ramandeep Singh leans on and works it to short mid-wicket.
STRATEGIC BREAK!
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, ! OUTFOXED, OUTCLASSED! A big, big wicket for RCB as Suyash Sharma has the last laugh!
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, ! Dre Russ gets off the mark with a boundary! Marginally outside off, on a good length, Andre Russell is quick to rock back and cuts it away past backward point for a boundary.
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, Floated up, fuller at 90.9 kph, on middle, Andre Russell leans on and pushes it to the leg side.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Dishes it on a good length, spinning away from off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi rocks back and cuts it away to deep cover for a single.
Andre Russell walks out now at number 7.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, ! CLEANED HIM UP!
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Short and on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi whips it off the back foot to long on for a run.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, No run.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Drops it short, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi jabs it to deep square leg for one more.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Too straight, slanting into the pads, Rinku nudges it to deep square leg for a single. An over that started well for RCB with 3 singles ends up going for 10 runs.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Fuller and slanting into the pads, Rinku clips it to the right of Yash Dayal at deep square leg for a couple of runs.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, ! Short and punished! Not all that short from Liam, on off, Rinku presses on the back foot and firms the pull to the left of long on for a boundary.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Short and on middle, Rinku knocks it down to long on with a straight bat for one.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, A leg-break first up to the right-hander, on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi dabs it down in front of backward point for a single.
Change? Yup. More spin. RCB with their sixth bowler. Liam Livingstone is introduced into the attack for the first time.Â
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, On a nagging length, on middle, AR gets down and sweeps it through square leg for one.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Continues to keep the length short and the trajectory flat, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays it off the back foot to the right of long on for a brace.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Angling into the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi whips it through mid-wicket for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, Tossed up, fuller and on off, Singh pushes it down to long off for a single.
Out walks Rinku Singh at number 6.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, ! DRAGGED ON! Wickets off successive overs for Krunal Pandya and he is thrilled to bits!
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide! A surprise delivery from Krunal. Digs it in short but this sails over the batter's head for a wide. Venkatesh Iyer quickly calls for a helmet.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Back-to-back boundaries for the young man! Pushed through quicker and on the shorter side, Angkrish waits on the back foot and cuts it well to the right of backward point for four more.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Top class! Tossed up, on off, a bit too full, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plants his front foot ahead and lifts it to the left of long off for a boundary.
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter and shorter, on off, Iyer jabs at the delivery. Gets an outside edge that travels quickly to short third but Yash Dayal is up to the task there. Puts a dive to his left and keeps it to a single.
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Four!
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Another googly and this leaves the left-hander, on off, Iyer cuts but can't get it past backward point.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slips in the googly, full and attacking the front pad, Angkrish Raghuvanshi works it with the turn to deep square leg for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Floated up, on the pads, on a length, Iyer wrists it to mid-wicket. Back-to-back successful overs for RCB.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Slightly slower and fuller too, on middle and leg, Iyer steps out and turns it to mid-wicket. Angkrish wants to sneak in a quick single but Rajat Patidar gets to the ball and quickly releases the throw.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Darted in again, on the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi clips it towards mid-wicket and opens his account with a single.
Who walks out now?
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! TAKEN! Krunal Pandya strikes on his return to the attack! A double whammy for RCB. A wonderful innings comes to an end from the KKR skipper. Krunal spears it into the right-hander from around the wicket, on a nagging length, Rahane crouches a bit to get under the ball and pull it away. The ball gets a bit too close to him and he neither gets the distance nor the elevation.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Pushed through again, on middle, Iyer gets on his toes and whips this short ball away to deep mid-wicket. Gets off the mark with a single.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! EDGED AND CAUGHT BEHIND! Finally, RCB get a breakthrough! Rasikh stays around the stumps and pitches it on the good length, just around off. It just bounces a bit more off the surface as Sunil Narine tries to clear the in-field on the off side, but due to that excessive bounce, the ball gets heavy on the batter and the outside edge is found. It lobs straight into the safe gloves of Jitesh Sharma who completes a regulation catch. An entertaining inning f
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, Rahane punches it down to long on for a single.
Ajinkya Rahane is joined by his deputy, Venkatesh Iyer.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! Audacious! The 100-run stand comes up between Narine and Rahane - including 11 sixes! Short of a good length angling on off, Sunil Narine hangs back and pulls it behind deep mid-wicket for a huge biggie.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, Short of good length, pitching outside off stump, Sunil tries to play an aggressive cut shot and is beaten.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! 100 up for KKR! And this has really been a runaway train so far!
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Short in length, on the top of middle, Ajinkya Rahane stands tall and pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, A slower ball from Rasikh, good length, around off and middle, nipping back in. Ajinkya Rahane tries to pull it away to the leg side, but is early in the shot, and inside edges onto the pads.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! Bludgeouned away! Flat and full from Suyash, on the stumps, Sunil Narine clears his front foot, gets his bat right under the ball and smashes it over the bowler for a boundary. The partnership grows to 92 off just 52 deliveries.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! Just wow! A googly, on a fullish length, outside off, Sunil Narine gets low and smashes it over covers for a cracking six.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, 2 runs.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Slowish, fuller and on off, Ajinkya Rahane drives it through covers for a single.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Length ball, outside off, Ajinkya chips it over the covers and collects a couple of quick runs.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, ! In the arc, and out of the park! FIFTY FOR RAHANE! His 31st IPL fifty, including 2 centuries!
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, WIDE! Sliding down leg. Rahane misses to sweep. Wide given.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, Outside off on a good length, slower at 106.1 kph, Sunil Narine frees his arms and punches it to the off side, but Virat Kohli, stationed at the cover region cuts it off.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! Carved away smartly! Overpitched outside off, Sunil Narine opens the bat face and shovels it behind square on the off side, gets a boundary at widish deep third.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, This one stays low! Slower one at 107.2 kph, full and outside off, Sunil Narine swings but misses.Â
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, WIDE! This one just lifts off the deck wildly, angling into the batter, but over the head. Sunil lets it pass. Wide called.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Back of a length and angling into the batter, Rahane backs away and pulls it to long on for a single.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, A low full toss, outside off, Sunil Narine throws his bat at it, and the ball takes the thick bottom edge of the bat, and goes back to the left of the keeper, who dives full-stretched and half stops it. It is parried to the short third region, and the batters cross over for one.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, WIDE! From around the stumps, outside the tramline on the off side, Sunil Narine offers no shot at it.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Straying on the pads, on a fuller length, Ajinkya Rahane misses to flick it away and the ball thuds the front pad, before rolling into the leg side. They cross for a leg bye. A mild appeal for LBW by the bowler, but clearly going way down leg.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Shortens the length, does Sharma, on off, Ajinkya Rahane punches it uppishly through mid off for a single. A quiet over this, just 5 off it.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Even quicker now, at 98.5 kph, good length, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane gets beaten on the outside edge as he tries to cut it square.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Floated up, at 97.2 kph, full on off, Ajinkya Rahane gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Suyash Sharma appears to be having some trouble with the landing area and has called for sawdust to be applied. A brief pause in play as the ground staff tends to the issue. We are all good to go.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Gracefully placed! Short again from Suyash, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane stands tall and punches it through covers for a boundary. The fielder, Phil Salt, runs across to his left in the deep, but the ball has got enough wheels on it to get to the fence. Stand and deliver from the KKR skipper!
STRATEGIC BREAK! A Powerplay of two contrasting halves! Royal Challengers Bengaluru had the upper hand in the first three overs, reducing KKR to 9/1. But the tide quickly turned as the next three overs went for a blistering 51 runs, shifting momentum firmly in the Knight Riders' favour. This pitch is an absolute belter for batting, and whatever movement was on offer early on seems to have vanished. Ajinkya Rahane is off to a flying start for the home side, and RCB will be hoping this break help
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Begins from over the stumps, a drag downer to start with, on a length, outside off, Rahane lets it be.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, Switches to around the stumps, on a length, angling on off, Ajinkya Rahane waits for the ball to arrive and opens the bat face, and glides it to deep third for a single. Kolkata Knight Riders end their Powerplay at 60/1.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Poor and got the treatment! A slower full toss, across off, Ajinkya Rahane crouches a bit and places it wonderfully between cover and point for a boundary. This is a breezy start for KKR, barring those first three overs.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, ! 50 UP FOR KKR! What a pick-up shot this is! Offered right into the wheelhouse, on the fuller side on the legs, Ajinkya Rahane just picks it up nicely and deposits it behind square for a six at deep backward square leg.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, EDGED AND ! Streaky, but doesn't matter! Runs flowing for KKR! Speared in fuller in length, angling back in. Ajinkya Rahane shapes up to whip it across to the leg side, but the top edge is found and the ball flies over short third for a boundary.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, In the air...on the bounce in the deep! Fuller, shaping a bit away, Sunil Narine slices it over the inner ring, over point for a single.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, ! Pierced away! Full in length from Dayal, angling on the pads, Sunil Narine flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.
Yash Dayal is back on.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Two in two for Rahane and the KKR skipper is up and running! Slanting in from around the wicket, on a length, Rahane gets under the ball and pumps it over mid on for four more. An expensive first over from Krunal, 15 runs off it. 31 runs off the last 2 overs for the Knight Riders.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Good shot! The same cannot be said about the ball though. With square leg and fine leg inside the circle, this is full and on the pads, Rahane gets down on a knee and sweeps it over square leg for a boundary.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, Spots the batter backing away does KP and he follows him. This skids through, on a nagging length, tucked to square leg by Rahane.
Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, Fired in full and into the pads by Krunal, Narine knocks it to the left of long on for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, ! Krunal Pandya is greeted into the attack with a monstrous hit! 3 sixes in the last 5 balls for KKR. Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, on off, Narine swings across the line and thumps it over deep mid-wicket for a six.
Hoff to get another? Double change then. The first sights of spin. Krunal Pandya introduced into the attack, replacing Josh Hazlewood.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Hurls it on a good length and this goes away off the seam, on the off stump, Ajinkya looks to keep it out with a straight bat. Gets an outside edge that rolls towards short third where Josh Hazlewood dives to his right and cuts it off.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! This is even better than the previous one! Came right off the screws for the KKR skipper.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, In the channel on off, on a length, Rahane leans into the shot and sweetly drives it but straight to Krunal Pandya at cover-point.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Nicely picked up! Ajinkya Rahane with the first six of the 2025 IPL! With an upright seam, on a short of a good length, on middle, Rahane picks it up quickly and whips it over deep backward square leg for a six.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Easy pickings! Sliding down leg, on the fuller side, Rahane helps it well wide of deep fine leg to his right for a boundary.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Good start from Salam! Jagging back into the right-hander and a bit of lift off the deck, on off, Rahane stands tall to punch it away but the ball comes off the splice of the bat and dribbles in front of cover.
Will Dayal continue? He won't. The first change in the bowling from RCB. Here's Rasikh Salam into the attack.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, At the stumps, on a good length, Sunil Narine stays leg side of the ball and mows it on the bounce to mid on without much timing.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, ! Streaky! A well-directed bumper by Josh at the left shoulder of the batter, Sunil gets into a bit of a tangle. Tries to take the short ball on and gets a top edge that flies over the keeper for his first boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, At 139 kph, leaving the left-hander, on a short of a good length, Sunil Narine has a heave across the line but misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, Beaten again! This kicks up a bit, on a hard length, on off, Narine looks to flay at it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, Swing and a miss! On a back of a length, over middle, Sunil Narine backs away to go big on the leg side but connects with thin air.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, An optimistic shout for LBW! Swinging back into the right-hander, fuller in length, Ajinkya Rahane swings at it to swipe it away on the leg side but misses. Gets rapped on the front pad but the ball seemed to have pitched outside leg from the over-the-wicket angle.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, The length is pulled back now, angling into the left-hander, Narine backs away and goes deep in the crease. Jabs it to the left of mid on for a single to get off the mark.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, No run.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, Shaping away, near the tramline on off, on a short of a good length, Sunil Narine leaves the ball alone.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, On the fuller side, on off, Narine pats it back to the bowler.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, Has Narine been strangled down leg on the very first ball? There was a noise as the ball went past the batter and the appeal was quite confident from the keeper and the bowler.
What an action-packed opening over! Just up to the hype. Here's Yash Dayal to operate from the far end.
Josh Hazlewood to Ajinkya Rahane, Angling into the right-hander, on a good length, on middle, Ajinkya Rahane defends it solidly with a straight bat.
Who walks out now?
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! EDGED AND GONE! Quinton de Kock is gone this time! Suyash Sharma will be the most relieved man in all of Kolkata.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! Would you believe it? Suyash Sharma has shelled a dolly!
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, Going across the left-hander, on a length, Quinton de Kock lets it be.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! Quinton de Kock and Kolkata Knight Riders are underway! Josh Hazlewood pushes it across the left-hander but ends up offering a bit of width and it is on the shorter side. Quinton de Kock frees his arms and slaps it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, Josh is right on the money! Lands it on a good length, on top of off, at 139.6 kph, Quinton de Kock hangs back and stabs it beside the pitch on the off side.
Here we go then! The bell has rung at the iconic Eden Gardens and it is time for the action to get underway in this curtain raiser! A full house in this 'City of Joy', no surprises at all. The decibel levels are high as the two umpires walk out to the middle. The players of Royal Challengers Bengaluru spread out to the park and take their fielding positions. Now then, the fresh opening pair for the Kolkata Knight Riders walk out. It is Sunil Narine accompanied by Quinton de Kock as the two w
The skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane says that they would have bowled first as well but toss is something which is not in your control. Adds that it is important to play good cricket throughout the 40 overs and he hopes that they can bat well as a unit. Mentions that it is an honour to lead the side. Shares that they have managed to retain the core group from the previous season. States that everyone in the team has settled well and they have an experienced group. Informs that t
The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Patidar says it looks like a decent surface. Observes that it is a hard deck and aims that they will restrict KKR as early as possible. Feels amazing to lead RCB for the first time and mentions there are some great players in the squad, and he has learnt a lot from them. Says the preparations have been really good coming into this game, and the boys are looking confident. Says they are going with three fast bowlers and two spinners.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (WK), Rajat Patidar (C), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.Â
Impact players nominated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru -Â Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinandan Singh, Manoj Bhandage, Romario Shepherd and Swapnil Singh.
Impact players nominated by Kolkata Knight Riders - Anrich Nortje, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy and Luvnith Sisodia.
TOSS - Rajat Patidar calls it correctly and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have opted to BOWL first.
We are back for RCB's reply.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
Right then, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be the happier of the two sides, and with the firepower in their ranks, they will back themselves to chase this down. Last season, three out of five night games in Kolkata were won by the chasing side, so there isnât a clear advantage either way. However, with dew setting in, even with the option to change the ball, defending this total wonât be easy for KKR. That said, they do have two top-quality spinners, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy,
Angkrish Raghuvanshi is in for a chat. He says RCB bowled pretty well in the second half of the first innings. On being asked about the ball gripping for the spinners, he mentions that it was doing much more when the pacers were rolling their fingers on the ball and taking pace off. Believes KKR have got a good bowling attack and is hopeful they will restrict them.
Krunal Pandya led RCB's fightback, with the bowlers chipping away at wickets. However, KKR kept finding boundaries, and the run rate stayed around 10 until the 14th over. It was in the final six overs that RCB truly reaped the rewards, tightening the screws and pulling things back. Only 33 runs were scored off the last 6 overs and KKR have fallen well short of where they would have wanted to be, given their strong start.
What did hurt the bowling side, however, was the latter half of the Powerplay. From 9/1 after three overs, Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine went on the attack and helped KKR finish the Powerplay on a high with 51 runs coming off the next three overs. Their onslaught didnât stop there, as both batters went on to score fifties and stitched together a century stand.
A strong fightback from RCB! The first innings saw momentum swing both ways. KKR raced to 107/2 in the first 10 overs, but RCB turned the tide, conceding just 67 runs and taking 6 wickets in the last 10 overs. As he has done so often in his career, Josh Hazlewood set the tone for RCB with a wicket in his very first over. Quinton de Kock was given a reprieve just a couple of balls earlier, but it didnât prove costly.
Spencer Johnson comes out to bat.
Josh Hazlewood to Spencer Johnson, On a back of a length, just around middle and leg, Spencer mishits the pull shot from the splice of his blade as the ball rolls into the off side. Only a single to end the innings. Kolkata Knight Riders finish at 174/8.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, ! c Jitesh Sharma b Josh Hazlewood.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, TOP EDGE AND ! A boundary after 11 balls for KKR! Back of a length, skidding through quickly on the batter, on top of off, Harshit Rana tries to pull aerially, but the top edge is found and it flies over the keeper's head for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, Make that three dots on the trot! Bangs hard on the surface, on the stumps, with some extra bounce, Harshit Rana again opts for a pull shot, swings and misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, Another dot! Again, an effort ball, short in length, just outside off, Harshit Rana fails to connect again.
Josh Hazlewood to Harshit Rana, A dot to start the final over! Hoff hits the deck very hard, on the middle and leg stump line, Harshit Rana swings across but misses to connect.
Yash Dayal to Harshit Rana, Aims the pegs, on a fullish length, Harshit Rana stays leg side, and slaps it through covers for just a single. What a penultimate over from Yash Dayal. A wicket and just four singles off it.
Who walks in?
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Yash Dayal gets his first wicket and it makes a better over, much more better for him. Takes the pace off from the leather, does Yash Dayal, on a good length, angling across off, with a bit of an extra bounce off the surface. Angkrish Raghuvanshi weighs on the back foot to pull over the leg side, but is through his shot marginally early and the outside edge is found. The ball carries to the keeper and Jitesh Sharma takes a safe cat
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Fuller on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi hits it on the bounce to mid off.
Yash Dayal to Ramandeep Singh, 1 run.
Yash Dayal to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Short and on the stumps, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Yash Dayal to Ramandeep Singh, Slower one, on a good length, across off, Ramandeep Singh mistimes his back foot punch. Hits it a bit aerially to the cover region. Rajat Patidar dives to his left and half stops it on the bounce. The ball is parried to the deep and the batters cross for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Ramandeep Singh, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Outside off, on a length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi miscues the heave, in the air, and to the left of long on for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Oh, that is effortless!
Josh Hazlewood to Ramandeep Singh, Leg bye.
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slows it down on a length, outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi shuffles across the off stump, and tries to pull it to the deep fine leg region, but mistimes it and the ball rolls between square leg and short fine leg. Angkrish Raghuvanshi scoots off for a single at the other end and has to put in a dive to reach home before the throw. A quick single taken.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Hits the deck hard, does Hoff, on a length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi swings to pull but misses. Some extra bounce on it.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Another quiet over for KKR! Just four off it. Shortish and outside off, Ramandeep Singh cuts it off the back foot but finds Devdutt Padikkal at backward point.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sliding on the pads, on a fullish length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi closes his bat face early, and the ball goes off the leading edge to cover.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Flat and on a length, on off, Ramandeep Singh rocks back and punches it in the cover region for one more.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Fuller and on middle and leg, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays close to the body and tucks it to the square leg region for a single.
Devdutt Padikkal comes in as the Impact Player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He will have a job to do later on with the bat. Suyash Sharma has been subbed out.
Liam Livingstone to Ramandeep Singh, Liam fires it on a good length, on top of off, Ramandeep Singh hangs back and drags it to widish deep mid-wicket for a single.
Suyash Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, One more wrong'un, full and on the pads, Ramandeep Singh clips it to the square leg region for a single to end the over. An excellent over from Suyash Sharma. Just six runs off it and a wicket of the explosive Dre Russ. Suyash ends his spell with figures of 4-0-47-1.
Suyash Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, Another googly, full and on off, Ramandeep Singh leans on and works it to short mid-wicket.
STRATEGIC BREAK!
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, ! OUTFOXED, OUTCLASSED! A big, big wicket for RCB as Suyash Sharma has the last laugh!
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, ! Dre Russ gets off the mark with a boundary! Marginally outside off, on a good length, Andre Russell is quick to rock back and cuts it away past backward point for a boundary.
Suyash Sharma to Andre Russell, Floated up, fuller at 90.9 kph, on middle, Andre Russell leans on and pushes it to the leg side.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Dishes it on a good length, spinning away from off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi rocks back and cuts it away to deep cover for a single.
Andre Russell walks out now at number 7.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, ! CLEANED HIM UP!
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Short and on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi whips it off the back foot to long on for a run.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, No run.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Drops it short, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi jabs it to deep square leg for one more.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Too straight, slanting into the pads, Rinku nudges it to deep square leg for a single. An over that started well for RCB with 3 singles ends up going for 10 runs.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Fuller and slanting into the pads, Rinku clips it to the right of Yash Dayal at deep square leg for a couple of runs.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, ! Short and punished! Not all that short from Liam, on off, Rinku presses on the back foot and firms the pull to the left of long on for a boundary.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.
Liam Livingstone to Rinku Singh, Short and on middle, Rinku knocks it down to long on with a straight bat for one.
Liam Livingstone to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, A leg-break first up to the right-hander, on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi dabs it down in front of backward point for a single.
Change? Yup. More spin. RCB with their sixth bowler. Liam Livingstone is introduced into the attack for the first time.Â
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, On a nagging length, on middle, AR gets down and sweeps it through square leg for one.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Continues to keep the length short and the trajectory flat, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays it off the back foot to the right of long on for a brace.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, 1 run.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Angling into the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi whips it through mid-wicket for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Rinku Singh, Tossed up, fuller and on off, Singh pushes it down to long off for a single.
Out walks Rinku Singh at number 6.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, ! DRAGGED ON! Wickets off successive overs for Krunal Pandya and he is thrilled to bits!
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide! A surprise delivery from Krunal. Digs it in short but this sails over the batter's head for a wide. Venkatesh Iyer quickly calls for a helmet.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Back-to-back boundaries for the young man! Pushed through quicker and on the shorter side, Angkrish waits on the back foot and cuts it well to the right of backward point for four more.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Top class! Tossed up, on off, a bit too full, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plants his front foot ahead and lifts it to the left of long off for a boundary.
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter and shorter, on off, Iyer jabs at the delivery. Gets an outside edge that travels quickly to short third but Yash Dayal is up to the task there. Puts a dive to his left and keeps it to a single.
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Four!
Suyash Sharma to Venkatesh Iyer, Another googly and this leaves the left-hander, on off, Iyer cuts but can't get it past backward point.
Suyash Sharma to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slips in the googly, full and attacking the front pad, Angkrish Raghuvanshi works it with the turn to deep square leg for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Floated up, on the pads, on a length, Iyer wrists it to mid-wicket. Back-to-back successful overs for RCB.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Slightly slower and fuller too, on middle and leg, Iyer steps out and turns it to mid-wicket. Angkrish wants to sneak in a quick single but Rajat Patidar gets to the ball and quickly releases the throw.
Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Darted in again, on the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi clips it towards mid-wicket and opens his account with a single.
Who walks out now?
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! TAKEN! Krunal Pandya strikes on his return to the attack! A double whammy for RCB. A wonderful innings comes to an end from the KKR skipper. Krunal spears it into the right-hander from around the wicket, on a nagging length, Rahane crouches a bit to get under the ball and pull it away. The ball gets a bit too close to him and he neither gets the distance nor the elevation.
Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, Pushed through again, on middle, Iyer gets on his toes and whips this short ball away to deep mid-wicket. Gets off the mark with a single.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! EDGED AND CAUGHT BEHIND! Finally, RCB get a breakthrough! Rasikh stays around the stumps and pitches it on the good length, just around off. It just bounces a bit more off the surface as Sunil Narine tries to clear the in-field on the off side, but due to that excessive bounce, the ball gets heavy on the batter and the outside edge is found. It lobs straight into the safe gloves of Jitesh Sharma who completes a regulation catch. An entertaining inning f
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, Rahane punches it down to long on for a single.
Ajinkya Rahane is joined by his deputy, Venkatesh Iyer.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! Audacious! The 100-run stand comes up between Narine and Rahane - including 11 sixes! Short of a good length angling on off, Sunil Narine hangs back and pulls it behind deep mid-wicket for a huge biggie.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, Short of good length, pitching outside off stump, Sunil tries to play an aggressive cut shot and is beaten.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! 100 up for KKR! And this has really been a runaway train so far!
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Short in length, on the top of middle, Ajinkya Rahane stands tall and pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, A slower ball from Rasikh, good length, around off and middle, nipping back in. Ajinkya Rahane tries to pull it away to the leg side, but is early in the shot, and inside edges onto the pads.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! Bludgeouned away! Flat and full from Suyash, on the stumps, Sunil Narine clears his front foot, gets his bat right under the ball and smashes it over the bowler for a boundary. The partnership grows to 92 off just 52 deliveries.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, ! Just wow! A googly, on a fullish length, outside off, Sunil Narine gets low and smashes it over covers for a cracking six.
Suyash Sharma to Sunil Narine, 2 runs.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Slowish, fuller and on off, Ajinkya Rahane drives it through covers for a single.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Length ball, outside off, Ajinkya chips it over the covers and collects a couple of quick runs.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, ! In the arc, and out of the park! FIFTY FOR RAHANE! His 31st IPL fifty, including 2 centuries!
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, WIDE! Sliding down leg. Rahane misses to sweep. Wide given.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, Outside off on a good length, slower at 106.1 kph, Sunil Narine frees his arms and punches it to the off side, but Virat Kohli, stationed at the cover region cuts it off.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, ! Carved away smartly! Overpitched outside off, Sunil Narine opens the bat face and shovels it behind square on the off side, gets a boundary at widish deep third.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, This one stays low! Slower one at 107.2 kph, full and outside off, Sunil Narine swings but misses.Â
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, WIDE! This one just lifts off the deck wildly, angling into the batter, but over the head. Sunil lets it pass. Wide called.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Back of a length and angling into the batter, Rahane backs away and pulls it to long on for a single.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, A low full toss, outside off, Sunil Narine throws his bat at it, and the ball takes the thick bottom edge of the bat, and goes back to the left of the keeper, who dives full-stretched and half stops it. It is parried to the short third region, and the batters cross over for one.
Rasikh Salam to Sunil Narine, WIDE! From around the stumps, outside the tramline on the off side, Sunil Narine offers no shot at it.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Straying on the pads, on a fuller length, Ajinkya Rahane misses to flick it away and the ball thuds the front pad, before rolling into the leg side. They cross for a leg bye. A mild appeal for LBW by the bowler, but clearly going way down leg.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Shortens the length, does Sharma, on off, Ajinkya Rahane punches it uppishly through mid off for a single. A quiet over this, just 5 off it.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Even quicker now, at 98.5 kph, good length, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane gets beaten on the outside edge as he tries to cut it square.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Floated up, at 97.2 kph, full on off, Ajinkya Rahane gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Suyash Sharma appears to be having some trouble with the landing area and has called for sawdust to be applied. A brief pause in play as the ground staff tends to the issue. We are all good to go.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Gracefully placed! Short again from Suyash, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane stands tall and punches it through covers for a boundary. The fielder, Phil Salt, runs across to his left in the deep, but the ball has got enough wheels on it to get to the fence. Stand and deliver from the KKR skipper!
STRATEGIC BREAK! A Powerplay of two contrasting halves! Royal Challengers Bengaluru had the upper hand in the first three overs, reducing KKR to 9/1. But the tide quickly turned as the next three overs went for a blistering 51 runs, shifting momentum firmly in the Knight Riders' favour. This pitch is an absolute belter for batting, and whatever movement was on offer early on seems to have vanished. Ajinkya Rahane is off to a flying start for the home side, and RCB will be hoping this break help
Suyash Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane, Begins from over the stumps, a drag downer to start with, on a length, outside off, Rahane lets it be.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, Switches to around the stumps, on a length, angling on off, Ajinkya Rahane waits for the ball to arrive and opens the bat face, and glides it to deep third for a single. Kolkata Knight Riders end their Powerplay at 60/1.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Poor and got the treatment! A slower full toss, across off, Ajinkya Rahane crouches a bit and places it wonderfully between cover and point for a boundary. This is a breezy start for KKR, barring those first three overs.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, ! 50 UP FOR KKR! What a pick-up shot this is! Offered right into the wheelhouse, on the fuller side on the legs, Ajinkya Rahane just picks it up nicely and deposits it behind square for a six at deep backward square leg.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, EDGED AND ! Streaky, but doesn't matter! Runs flowing for KKR! Speared in fuller in length, angling back in. Ajinkya Rahane shapes up to whip it across to the leg side, but the top edge is found and the ball flies over short third for a boundary.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, In the air...on the bounce in the deep! Fuller, shaping a bit away, Sunil Narine slices it over the inner ring, over point for a single.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, ! Pierced away! Full in length from Dayal, angling on the pads, Sunil Narine flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.
Yash Dayal is back on.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Two in two for Rahane and the KKR skipper is up and running! Slanting in from around the wicket, on a length, Rahane gets under the ball and pumps it over mid on for four more. An expensive first over from Krunal, 15 runs off it. 31 runs off the last 2 overs for the Knight Riders.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Good shot! The same cannot be said about the ball though. With square leg and fine leg inside the circle, this is full and on the pads, Rahane gets down on a knee and sweeps it over square leg for a boundary.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, No run.
Krunal Pandya to Ajinkya Rahane, Spots the batter backing away does KP and he follows him. This skids through, on a nagging length, tucked to square leg by Rahane.
Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, Fired in full and into the pads by Krunal, Narine knocks it to the left of long on for a single.
Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, ! Krunal Pandya is greeted into the attack with a monstrous hit! 3 sixes in the last 5 balls for KKR. Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, on off, Narine swings across the line and thumps it over deep mid-wicket for a six.
Hoff to get another? Double change then. The first sights of spin. Krunal Pandya introduced into the attack, replacing Josh Hazlewood.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Hurls it on a good length and this goes away off the seam, on the off stump, Ajinkya looks to keep it out with a straight bat. Gets an outside edge that rolls towards short third where Josh Hazlewood dives to his right and cuts it off.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! This is even better than the previous one! Came right off the screws for the KKR skipper.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, In the channel on off, on a length, Rahane leans into the shot and sweetly drives it but straight to Krunal Pandya at cover-point.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Nicely picked up! Ajinkya Rahane with the first six of the 2025 IPL! With an upright seam, on a short of a good length, on middle, Rahane picks it up quickly and whips it over deep backward square leg for a six.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, ! Easy pickings! Sliding down leg, on the fuller side, Rahane helps it well wide of deep fine leg to his right for a boundary.
Rasikh Salam to Ajinkya Rahane, Good start from Salam! Jagging back into the right-hander and a bit of lift off the deck, on off, Rahane stands tall to punch it away but the ball comes off the splice of the bat and dribbles in front of cover.
Will Dayal continue? He won't. The first change in the bowling from RCB. Here's Rasikh Salam into the attack.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, At the stumps, on a good length, Sunil Narine stays leg side of the ball and mows it on the bounce to mid on without much timing.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, ! Streaky! A well-directed bumper by Josh at the left shoulder of the batter, Sunil gets into a bit of a tangle. Tries to take the short ball on and gets a top edge that flies over the keeper for his first boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, At 139 kph, leaving the left-hander, on a short of a good length, Sunil Narine has a heave across the line but misses.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, Beaten again! This kicks up a bit, on a hard length, on off, Narine looks to flay at it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Josh Hazlewood to Sunil Narine, Swing and a miss! On a back of a length, over middle, Sunil Narine backs away to go big on the leg side but connects with thin air.
Yash Dayal to Ajinkya Rahane, An optimistic shout for LBW! Swinging back into the right-hander, fuller in length, Ajinkya Rahane swings at it to swipe it away on the leg side but misses. Gets rapped on the front pad but the ball seemed to have pitched outside leg from the over-the-wicket angle.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, The length is pulled back now, angling into the left-hander, Narine backs away and goes deep in the crease. Jabs it to the left of mid on for a single to get off the mark.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, No run.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, Shaping away, near the tramline on off, on a short of a good length, Sunil Narine leaves the ball alone.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, On the fuller side, on off, Narine pats it back to the bowler.
Yash Dayal to Sunil Narine, Has Narine been strangled down leg on the very first ball? There was a noise as the ball went past the batter and the appeal was quite confident from the keeper and the bowler.
What an action-packed opening over! Just up to the hype. Here's Yash Dayal to operate from the far end.
Josh Hazlewood to Ajinkya Rahane, Angling into the right-hander, on a good length, on middle, Ajinkya Rahane defends it solidly with a straight bat.
Who walks out now?
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! EDGED AND GONE! Quinton de Kock is gone this time! Suyash Sharma will be the most relieved man in all of Kolkata.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! Would you believe it? Suyash Sharma has shelled a dolly!
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, Going across the left-hander, on a length, Quinton de Kock lets it be.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, ! Quinton de Kock and Kolkata Knight Riders are underway! Josh Hazlewood pushes it across the left-hander but ends up offering a bit of width and it is on the shorter side. Quinton de Kock frees his arms and slaps it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary.
Josh Hazlewood to Quinton de Kock, Josh is right on the money! Lands it on a good length, on top of off, at 139.6 kph, Quinton de Kock hangs back and stabs it beside the pitch on the off side.
Here we go then! The bell has rung at the iconic Eden Gardens and it is time for the action to get underway in this curtain raiser! A full house in this 'City of Joy', no surprises at all. The decibel levels are high as the two umpires walk out to the middle. The players of Royal Challengers Bengaluru spread out to the park and take their fielding positions. Now then, the fresh opening pair for the Kolkata Knight Riders walk out. It is Sunil Narine accompanied by Quinton de Kock as the two w
The skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane says that they would have bowled first as well but toss is something which is not in your control. Adds that it is important to play good cricket throughout the 40 overs and he hopes that they can bat well as a unit. Mentions that it is an honour to lead the side. Shares that they have managed to retain the core group from the previous season. States that everyone in the team has settled well and they have an experienced group. Informs that t
The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajat Patidar says it looks like a decent surface. Observes that it is a hard deck and aims that they will restrict KKR as early as possible. Feels amazing to lead RCB for the first time and mentions there are some great players in the squad, and he has learnt a lot from them. Says the preparations have been really good coming into this game, and the boys are looking confident. Says they are going with three fast bowlers and two spinners.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (WK), Rajat Patidar (C), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Salam, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.Â
Impact players nominated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru -Â Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinandan Singh, Manoj Bhandage, Romario Shepherd and Swapnil Singh.
Impact players nominated by Kolkata Knight Riders - Anrich Nortje, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy and Luvnith Sisodia.
TOSS - Rajat Patidar calls it correctly and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have opted to BOWL first.