Kolkata Vs Lucknow Match 68 - Indian Premier League, 2023 - summary

Right then that is all we have from the coverage of this game. Lucknow have become the third team to qualify for the playoffs with this close win. The final spot is up for grabs when the action continues in the 16th edition of the Indian T20 League on Sunday 21st May as we have yet another doubleheader in store for us and it will be the final two games of the group stages. First, Mumbai take on Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium in the coastal city and that game will begin at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). This will be followed by a clash between Bangalore and Gujarat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). The build-up for both of these games will begin well in advance so do join us for that. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Nicholas Pooran is the Player of the Match for his brilliant knock of 58 runs from 30 balls. He says that he knew he had to take the game as deep as possible. Adds that he knew that he would get some bad balls and it is a small venue so he wanted to capitalize. Claims that he has been batting pretty decently through the tournament and feels that he needed to take his opportunity. Mentions that the team has invested heavily in him and he wanted to repay them the best way he could. Informs that Ayush Badoni and he had the same kind of partnership before and they decided to take it deep. Adds that they were looking to get to 190 but fell short. Ends by saying that it is nice to win the last two games and more importantly it is their bowlers who are standing up to the challenge.

Krunal Pandya, the captain of Lucknow, says that he is satisfied with the win and the playoffs qualification. Mentions that the team never gave up despite being put under pressure and is really proud of the boys. Shares that when Kolkata were 61-1, he felt 2-3 tight overs can change the game. Reckons that there was a lot of help for the spinners and the plan was to bowl in the right areas and bowl dots. Mentions that Rinku Singh has been special and adds that you can never take it easy against him. On choosing Yash Thakur for the final over, he says he goes with his gut instincts. Adds that in the last game, he went with Mohsin Khan because there was reverse swing on offer. Ends by saying that Yash Thakur was bowling well and it paid off.

Time for the presentations...

One of the stars of Lucknow's win, Ravi Bishnoi is in for a chat. He says that it feels good to win and such wins boost the team's morale. Adds that he is happy that they have qualified. On Rinku Singh's innings, he says that it was unbelievable and adds that he was threatening to take the game away from them. Mentions that the ball was gripping on the surface and the plan was to bowl in good areas. Shares that his plan was to bowl wicket to wicket and look for wickets or dot balls. Ends by saying that they have fought hard in the last couple of games and will look to do the same in the playoffs and try to win the trophy.

Nitish Rana the skipper of Kolkata, starts by saying that the result was not in their favour and adds that there have been many positives throughout the season. Feels that they have many areas to improve and hopes to return as a better team in the next season. Reckons that if you have to finish in the top four in the Indian T20 League, you have to do well in all 3 departments. Mentions that it is important to win back-to-back close games and feels that they had the capability to finish in the top four. On Rinku Singh, he says that he is very happy for him and knows how hard he has worked. Adds that he is very close to him and feels that if he can bat like this, he can do anything.

Time for some interviews...

Lucknow used their sixth opening pair in this edition when they were asked to bat first after losing the toss but Karan Sharma could not make much of an impact. A 41-run partnership between Quinton de Kock and Prerak Mankad gave them a good start but they lost wickets in quick succession and had 73 runs on the board with half their side back in the shed. Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran began building a partnership and put on 74 runs together in 47 deliveries with the latter reaching his half-century. Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, and Vaibhav Arora claimed two wickets each for the hosts with Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy chipping in with one but they would have liked to restrict their opponents to 10-15 runs lesser.

By the end of the Powerplay, it seemed to be like Lucknow were well-behind in the game. Their new ball bowlers could not get them an early breakthrough and it was Krishnappa Gowtham who drew first blood in the sixth over of the inning. Ravi Bishnoi sent the Kolkata skipper packing as he was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets while conceding just 23 runs in his four overs. Krunal Pandya claimed a crucial wicket on the last ball of his spell and was economical as well. Yash Thakur proved to be a good choice as an Impact Player as he claimed two important wickets but along with Naveen-ul-Haq took quite a pounding from Rinku Singh. They will want to improve their bowling in the Powerplay and the death overs if they want to go deep in the qualifying stage. 

The hosts came out all guns blazing as they looked to make a mockery of the run chase. They scored 61 runs in Powerplay with Venkatesh Iyer the only causality after getting off to a good start. Nitish Rana could not get going having promoted himself to number 3 but Jason Roy had no trouble keeping the scoreboard ticking as he made 45 in 28 balls. After the two of them were dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz struggled at the wicket as he ate up deliveries and allowed the required rate to rise again. Andre Russell’s disappointing campaign continued and Shardul Thakur could not make an impact with the bat this time. Rinku Singh had the crowd believing right till the end getting to his highest score in the Indian T20 League accumulating 67 runs in 33 balls but his efforts were in vain. 

Rinku Singh is turning out to be quite a player! The southpaw kept this game alive right till the end but once again his side left him with too much to do and he was unable to get them over the finish line by the closest of margins. Lucknow have sealed an important win that confirms their place in the playoffs in third place and there is now just one spot up for grabs on the final day of the group stages. Kolkata could not end this tournament on a high and will want to come back strong in the next season.

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, SIX, SIX! Just over! Yash Thakur bowls a low full toss and outside off, Rinku Singh walks across and powers it towards long on. Ravi Bishnoi leaps near the ropes but the ball eludes him and crosses the fence. Lucknow win by 1 run and have secured a place in the playoffs! 

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, FOUR, FOUR! That should do it for Lucknow! Keeps it full and outside off, Rinku Singh creams this one to the right of long off and collects a boundary 

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, SIX, SIX! SHOT! Yash Thakur goes with pace and honing in at the stumps, Rinku Singh gets it in his slot and slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Kolkata now need 12 runs from the last two balls. 

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, wide, 1 run, WIDE! Loses the radar and bowls a full toss, way outside off, Rinku Singh leaves the ball alone and the umpire signlas a wide. 

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, no run, Executes the yorker ot perfection, on off, Rinku Singh digs this one out to deep mid-wicket and refuses the single.

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, no run, Sharp bumper! Pace on and banged in short on off, Rinku Singh gets hurried as he tried to pull and misses.

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, wide, 1 run, WIDE! Looks to go full but beyond the tramline on off, Rinku Singh lets it go for a wide. 

Yash Thakur to Vaibhav Arora, 1 run, Goes full and at the batter, Vaibhav Arora gets bat to ball and knocks it down to long on. Brings Rinku Singh back on strike with a single. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, no run, Off cutter this time and on a short length, outside off, Rinku Singh gets decided by the slowness of the delivery as he goes for the pull. He fails to connect but wants to sneak in a single. Quinton de Kock is up to the task and denies the single. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, SIX, SIX! Rinku Singh is turning it on here! Naveen-ul-Haq tries to go full but ends up bowling it in the slot, around leg, Rinku Singh does not miss out as he swats this one over deep backward square leg for six more runs. The crowd are thrilled to bis as they start to believe now. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, 2 runs, Keeps it shorter and on middle and leg, Rinku Singh pulls this slower delivery in front of deep backward square leg. Has to hurry for the second run but makes his ground eventually. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, FOUR, FOUR! Make that three fours in a row! Slower and into the wicket, outside off, Rinku Singh waits for the ball to arrive and ramps it over short third man for yet another boundary. Kolkata are right back into the game. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, FOUR, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Rinku Singh! Goes full does Naveen-ul-Haq and outside off, Rinku Singh puts the dancing shoes on once again and creams it wide of deep cover for four more runs. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, FOUR, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! On a short length and outside off, Rinku Singh dances down the track and goes for the pull. Gets an outside edge that flies past short third man for a boundary. 

Vaibhav Arora strides out to the center. 

Yash Thakur to Sunil Narine, out, 1 run, OUT! RUN OUT! It is going from bad to worse for Kolkata! Yash Thakur keeps it full and outside off, Sunil Narine squeezes this one towards backward point. The fielder there does not manage to deny the single and performs a half stop. The batters look for a second run but there isn't any. Naveen-ul-Haq gets up quickly and fires an accurate throw at the batter's end. Quinton de Kock does the rest and catches Sunil Narine short of his crease. Kolkata slip further and Lucknow are now only 3 wickets away.  

Yash Thakur to Sunil Narine, wide, 1 run, WIDE! Sprays a full delivery, well beyond the tramline on off, Sunil Narine lets the ball pass for a wide. 

Yash Thakur to Sunil Narine, no run, Goes full and near the tramline on off, Sunil Narine thinks its a wide and lets it go. The umpire doesn't think so and it is a fair delivery. 

Sunil Narine is the new batter out in the middle.

Yash Thakur to Shardul Thakur, out, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust! Yash Thakur rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it short at the batter, Shardul Thakur hangs back and goes for the pull. The ball climbs on him and he skies this one high in the air towards deep square leg. Prerak Mankad stationed there settles under the skier and takes the catch. Yash Thakur has his second wicket of the game and Kolkata are now 6 wickets down. 

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, 1 run, Fuller and wide on off, Rinku Singh carves it to deep backward point for a single.

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, SIX, SIX! BOOM! Rinku Singh goes big! Yash Thakur goes into the wicket and outside off, Rinku Singh picks the change of pace and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 

Yash Thakur to Shardul Thakur, leg byes, 1 run, A loud shout for LBW but turned down! Comes from 'round the wicket and goes full at the stumps, Shardul Thakur misses the flick and gets trapped in front of the stumps. A confident appeal by Yash Thakur but the umpire is unmoved. Krunal Pandya goes for the review and the UltraEdge shows no bat but Ball Tracking shows that the ball is pitching outside leg. The on-field decision stands and Lucknow lose their review. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, 2 runs, Drifts onto the pads on a fuller length, Rinku Singh places this slower delivery in the vacant mid-wicket region and collects a couple of runs. A great over by Naveen-ul-Haq, only 5 runs off it. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, no run, Nicely bowled! Pace off again and short, outside off, Rinku Singh waits to cut but does not connect this time.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Shardul Thakur, 1 run, Keeps it slower and short, near the tramline on off, Shardul Thakur has to reach out and pushes this one towards extra cover for one more run. Lucknow won't mind these singles. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, 1 run, Slower and shorter, on middle and leg, Rinku Singh swats this one to deep square leg for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Shardul Thakur, 1 run, On a good length and outside off, Shardul Thakur goes for the drive away from the body. Gets a thickish outside edge and the ball drops just short of the diving Ravi Bishnoi at short third man. They cross for a single. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Shardul Thakur, no run, Back of a length and outside off, Shardul Thakur reaches out and goes for a cut. Gets an under edge and the ball goes on the bounce towards the keeper. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Shardul Thakur, 1 run, Floated, full and on off, Shardul Thakur gets forward and drives it towards extra cover. Scampers across for a quick single to open his account. Ravi Bishnoi ends with figures of 2 for 23 from his four overs. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Shardul Thakur, no run, Tosses this one up, full and around off, Shardul Thakur takes a big stride forward and watchfully keeps this one ou. 

Strategic break! Kolkata looked to be cruising to a win at one stage but their inning has completely collapsed as they have now lost half their side. All their hopes will now be pinned on Rinku Singh who has shown in the past that is capable of pulling off the impossible. Lucknow have clawed back into this tie and will need to keep their composure to get over the finish line and qualify for the playoffs. Shardul Thakur makes his way out to the crease. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Andre Russell, out, OUT! CASTLED! Ravi Bishnoi has the last laugh! Six and Out for Andre Russell! Pulls his length back a touch and bowls a googly, on off stump, Andre Russell gets down on one knee and has a mighty heave across the line. He connects with thin air and sees the ball knock back the off stump. Ravi Bishnoi is pumped and so are his teammates. Russell trudges off and Kolkata are now 5 wickets down. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Andre Russell, SIX, SIX! BANG! Ravi Bishnoi misses his length and bowls it in the slot, around off, Andre Russell frees his arms and smokes it back over the bowler's head for a maximum. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Andre Russell, no run, Googly, short and turning in on leg, Andre Russell clears his front leg to heave this one away but misses. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Andre Russell, no run, Bowls it short and on off, Andre Russell looks to cut this one but gets cramped for room. Can only push this one to the left of the bowler for a dot. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, FOUR, FOUR! Cut away! Slightly shorter and on off, Rinku Singh gets the width he needs and latches onto the cut shot. Hits it wide of deep point for a much-needed boundary. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, no run, Rolls his fingers over the ball and bangs it in short, outside off, Rinku Singh waits for the ball to arrive and tries to upper cut but misses. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andre Russell, 1 run, Touch fuller and on off, Andre Russell clears his front leg and hoicks it to wide long on for a single. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andre Russell, no run, Goes short and outside off, Andre Russell slashes hard at the delivery but connects with thin air.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andre Russell, no run, Pace on this time and on a good length, around off, Andre Russell pushes this one straight to cover-point. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, 1 run, Bowls a cutter on a length, outside off, Rinku Singh dabs this one to backward point and takes a quick single. 

Yash Thakur to Andre Russell, no run, Bangs this in short as well and in line with the stumps. Andre Russell opts to duck under this one and let it go through to the keeper. 

Yash Thakur to Andre Russell, no run, Bowls this short and outside the off stump. Andre Russell pulls this towards the mid on fielder. 

Andre Russell walks out to bat. 

Yash Thakur to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, out, OUT! CAUGHT! Some juggling act from Ravi Bishnoi but eventually holds onto the ball and Rahmanullah Gurbaz's stay at the wicket comes to an end! Yash Thakur has an uncanny habit of taking crucial wickets and this could be just as important. He bowls this slightly full and outside the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to go big but ends up slicing this towards deep point. Ravi Bishnoi comes running in from the deep and gets low to take the catch. The ball pops out but he manages to keep his composure and hold on to the cherry. Kolkata lose their fourth wicket and now it is on their finishers to get them over the line. 

Yash Thakur to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2 runs, Bangs this in short and going down leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to pull this away and somehow gets it over the short fine leg fielder. They take a couple of runs as the ball is pulled back in front of the ropes. 

Yash Thakur to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, leg byes, 2 runs, Yash Thakur bowls this on a good length and just outside the off pole. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets well outside the line of the stumps and looks to play this leg side but misses. The ball rolls into the off side off the pads and they look for a leg bye. Another over throw gives them an extra run. 

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, 1 run, Yash Thakur starts from 'round the wicket to the left-hander and bowls this short, just outside off. Rinku Singh pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Lucknow's Impact Player Yash Thakur comes into the attack now. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, 1 run, DROPPED! Ravi Bishnoi misses a big chance! Rinku Singh gets a lifeline and how costly will this prove for Lucknow? Ravi Bishnoi tosses this full and in line with the stumps. Rinku Singh drills this back towards the bowler. Ravi Bishnoi gets down low but is unable to hold on and the batters take a run as the ball goes towards the mid-wicket region. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, 2 runs, Goes full once again and outside off. Rinku Singh pushes this to cover and sets off for one. Krunal Pandya takes aim at the non-striker's end and concedes an extra run on the overthrow. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 1 run, Bowls this short and into the pads. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hits this aerially towards long on for a run. Brings up the 100 for Kolkata.

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, 1 run, A fraction short this time and outside off. Rinku Singh cuts this towards deep point for a single. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, FOUR, FOUR! Rinku Singh releases some pressure here! Ravi Bishnoi flights this full and just outside the off pole. Rinku Singh drills this towards straightish long off for four runs. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, no run, Ravi Bishnoi fires this full and outside the off stump. Rinku Singh knocks this straight to the cover fielder. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Rinku Singh, 1 run, Goes back to bowling short and into the pads. Rinku Singh flicks this towards deep square leg for one and will keep strike. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Rinku Singh, no run, Flights this full and on an off-stump line. Rinku Singh dabs this towards point and looks for a single but is sent back by his partner. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Rinku Singh, no run, Bowls this short and going down leg. Rinku Singh looks to whip this away but misses and gets hit on the pads. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 1 run, Tosses this full and onto the pads. Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks this through backward square leg for single. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, wide, 1 run, WIDE! Fires this one down leg on a fuller length. Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses his flick and the umpire calls this wide. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Rinku Singh, 1 run, Continues to bowl short and outside the off stump. Rinku Singh slaps this towards deep point for a run. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Rinku Singh, 2 runs, Krishnappa Gowtham bowls this short and outside the off pole. Rinku Singh rocks back and cuts this towards deep cover for a couple of runs. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, 1 run, A googly this time outside the off pole. Rinku Singh pushes at it and gets the ball off the outside part of his bat towards short third man. They rush for a run and that will be six singles in the over. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 1 run, Loops this one full and outside the off pole. Rahmanullah Gurbaz tonks this towards the wide long off fielder and they take yet another single. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, 1 run, A low full toss bowled in line with the stumps. Rinku Singh clips this towards deep mid-wicket for another run. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 1 run, Bowls this short and on a leg stump line. Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks this uppishly towards deep square leg for a single. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rinku Singh, 1 run, Loops this one full and onto the pads. Rinku Singh eases this down to long on and takes one to get off the mark.

Ravi Bishnoi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 1 run, Ravi Bishnoi bowls this short and outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz cuts this towards deep cover-point for one. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, out, OUT! TIMBER! Krunal Pandya gets a wicket on the last ball of his spell! It is the big wicket of Jason Roy and he is fuming! This is bowled a tad bit short and in line with the stumps. Jason Roy looks to work this leg side but misses and sees his middle stump pegged back. Krunal Pandya looks absolutely thrilled as he gets Lucknow the third wicket. Jason Roy keeps mumbling as he leaves the field and Kolkata are stumbling a bit after a quick start. Rinku Singh is the new man in. 

Krunal Pandya to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 1 run, Slightly short this time and just outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a run. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, leg byes, 1 run, Bowls this full and going down leg. Jason Roy looks to make room and sweep this but misses. The ball rolls off the pads towards short third man for a leg bye. 

Krunal Pandya to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 1 run, Loops this one full and in line with the stumps. Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks this towards deep square leg for a run. 

Krunal Pandya to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, no run, Tosses this one full and outside the off pole. Rahmanullah Gurbaz dabs this towards cover. 

Krunal Pandya to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, no run, Krunal Pandya bowls this really full and at the pads. Rahmanullah Gurbaz digs this out back to the bowler's right. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 1 run, Shortens his length and bowls it on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz rocks back and punches it to long on. Opens his account with a single. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, no run, Goes with the googly, full on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz reads it well and solidly keeps this one out. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, no run, Fuller this time and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets on the front foot and defends it down the wicket. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz finally walks out to the crease. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Nitish Rana, out, OUT! TAKEN! Ravi Bishnoi comes into the attack and strikes in his very first over! Bowls a googly, short and outside off, Nitish Rana goes back in his crease and tries to drag this one from outside off. The ball grips in the surface and Rana ends up closing the bat face early. Gets a leading edge and the ball lobs to cover where Krunal Pandya completes an easy catch. Ravi Bishnoi now has 100 T20 wickets. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Nitish Rana, no run, Another googly, outside off, Nitish Rana shapes to cut but the ball keeps low and mishits it to extra cover. 

Ravi Bishnoi to Nitish Rana, no run, Starts with a googly, short and outside off, Nitish Rana goes for the cut but misses. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Jason Roy, FOUR, FOUR! Sweeps and sweeps well does Jason Roy! Bowls a full delivery, on middle and leg, Jason Roy gets down in a flash and sweeps it wide of deep square leg for a boundary. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Nitish Rana, 1 run, Full and on middle, Nitish Rana works this one to mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Krishnappa Gowtham to Nitish Rana, no run, Nicely bowled! Floats this one up, full and turning away, on off, Nitish Rana looks to push this one down the ground but gets beaten by the away turn. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Jason Roy, 1 run, Goes full on leg, Jason Roy gets down and sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a run. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Jason Roy, 2 runs, Bowls it short around leg, Jason Roy crouches and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. Nicholas Pooran there sprints to his right and keeps it to two with a diving stop. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Nitish Rana, 1 run, Angled in around off, on a fuller length, Nitish Rana pushes this one to deep cover and takes a single. 

Krunal Pandya to Nitish Rana, 1 run, Another one on the pads on a short length, Nitish Rana turns this one to short fine leg and keeps the strike with one. 

Krunal Pandya to Nitish Rana, FOUR, FOUR! Easy pickings! Krunal Pandya misses his line and drifts down leg, Nitish Rana gets inside the line and helps this short delivery to the fine leg fence for his first boundary. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, 1 run, Slower and shorter, turning away, on off, Jason Roy waits and runs it down to short third man for a single. 

Krunal Pandya to Nitish Rana, 1 run, Keeps it fuller and outside off, Nitish Rana drives this one to deep cover for one more run.

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, 1 run, Bowls it slightly fuller, on off, Jason Roy reverse paddles it to short third man for a single.

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, no run, Flatter and on middle and leg, Jason Roy looks to whip this one on the leg side but misses and gets rapped on the back leg. 

Strategic break! Kolkata are off to a flier as they looked to go after the Lucknow bowlers from the word go. They did lose a wicket before the Powerplay ended but are well in front of the required rate. Lucknow need to take a few more quick wickets to wrench back some control or this game could go out of their hands very quickly. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Nitish Rana, no run, Floats this one, full on off, Nitish Rana gets forward and keeps this one out on the off side.

Nitish Rana, the skipper of Kolkata walks out to the middle at number 3.

Krishnappa Gowtham to Venkatesh Iyer, out, OUT! CAUGHT! Krishnappa Gowtham strikes and removes Venkatesh Iyer! Persists with short length and bowls it around off, Venkatesh Iyer goes on the back foot and looks to punch it on the off side. The ball stops in the surface and Iyer gets deceived by the slowness of the delivery. Ends up playing his shot early and chips a low catch to extra cover. Ravi Bishnoi stationed there does the rest and Lucknow have a much-needed breakthrough. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Jason Roy, 1 run, Keeps it short and on middle and leg, Jason Roy goes back in his crease and pulls it to deep square leg for one more run.

Krishnappa Gowtham to Jason Roy, no run, Drifts onto the pads on a short length, Jason Roy gets down and paddles it straight to short fine leg for a dot.

Krishnappa Gowtham to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run, Slower and shorter, on off, Venkatesh Iyer opens the bat face and guides it to point for a single.

Krishnappa Gowtham to Venkatesh Iyer, no run, Short and just outside off, Venkatesh Iyer goes for the pull but mistimes it to square leg for a dot. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, no run, Bowls this on a shortish length and at the pads. Jason Roy knocks this to the fielder at mid on. 

Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run, Floats this one onto the pads on a fuller length. Venkatesh Iyer flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, 1 run, Goes back to bowling short and in line with the stumps. Jason Roy pushes this to long off for a single. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, FOUR, Four! Lucky boundary but the Kolkata batters are swinging at everything! Krunal Pandya tosses this full and outside the off pole. Jason Roy goes for the slog sweep but gets an outside edge that trickles towards third man for yet another boundary. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, FOUR, FOUR! More runs for Kolkata and this has been a rollicking start by the hosts! This is short and at the stumps. Jason Roy backs away and cuts this towards deep cover-point for four more runs. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, FOUR, FOUR! Jason Roy with a bit of innovation here! Krunal Pandya bowls this full and at the pads. Jason Roy reverse sweeps this to deep point for four runs. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Jason Roy, 1 run, Short and outside the off pole. Jason Roy goes for the pull shot and skies this towards deep square leg. The fielder does not judge this at all and they get a single. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Jason Roy, wide, 1 run, WIDE! Bowls this full and well down leg side. Jason Roy goes for the sweep but misses and the umpire calls this wide. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run, Continues to bowl short and at the stumps. Venkatesh Iyer shuffled down the wicket and pushes this down to long on for one more. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Venkatesh Iyer, 2 runs, Short this time and angled into the stumps. Venkatesh Iyer goes on the back foot and knocks this towards wide long off for a couple of runs. 

Halt! Seems like Venkatesh Iyer has pulled his back and is in some pain. Iyer is back on his feet after receiving the treatment and we are good to go now. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Venkatesh Iyer, no run, Full and outside the off pole this time. Venkatesh Iyer goes for the sweep shit again but misses. Seems to have done something to his bat while playing the shot as he has gone down on the floor. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR, FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer gets this one away to the fence! Krishnappa Gowtham tosses this full and at the pads. Venkatesh Iyer sweeps this to deep backward square leg for four runs. 

Krishnappa Gowtham to Venkatesh Iyer, no run, Krishnappa Gowtham bowls this short and outside off. Venkatesh Iyer goes deep in the crease and punches this to the cover fielder. 

Krishnappa Gowtham is introduced into the attack. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, no run, Flights this one full and just outside the off pole. Jason Roy looks to slog sweep this and swings his blade hard but does no connect. The ball just misses the stumps.

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, no run, Attacks the stumps on a fuller length. Jason Roy blocks this back towards the bowler. 

Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, 1 run, Short this time and outside the off pole. Venkatesh Iyer pulls this towards deep square leg for a run. 

Krunal Pandya to Venkatesh Iyer, no run, Loops this one full and in line with the stumps. Venkatesh Iyer looks to heave this into the leg side but mistimes this to mid-wicket. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, 1 run, Short this time and angled into the batter. Jason Roy makes room and knocks this towards long off for one. 

Krunal Pandya to Jason Roy, FOUR, FOUR! Krunal Pandya gets the same treatment the other bowlers have been getting! This is tossed up full and outside off. Jason Roy sweeps this towards deep backward square leg for four runs. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Jason Roy, 1 run, Naveen-ul-Haq bowls this full and angles this into the stumps. Jason Roy flicks this towards long on for an easy run and will keep strike. 

Halt! Naveen-ul-Haq has taken a blow to his left hand and needs medical attention. We are all set for the game to resume now.  

Naveen-ul-Haq to Jason Roy, no run, Continues to bowl on a good length and outside off. Jason Roy drills this towards cover but finds the fielder this time. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Jason Roy, FOUR, FOUR! Naveen-ul-Haq bowls this on a good length and in line with the stumps. Jason Roy shuffles down the wicket as he makes room and slaps this to deep cover point for four more runs. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Jason Roy, SIX, SIX! Jason Roy has made that look so easy! Naveen-ul-Haq bowls full and just outside off. Jason Roy clears his front foot out of the way and creams this straight back past the bowler for six runs. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Jason Roy, FOUR, FOUR! Jason Roy joins the party and gets his first boundary! This is back of a length and outside off. Jason Roy pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for four runs. 

Naveen-ul-Haq to Jason Roy, no run, Naveen-ul-Haq bowls this on a good length and wide outside off. Jason Roy leans into the shot and punches this to the point fielder. 

Mohsin Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR, FOUR! Kolkata are off to a flier! Mohsin Khan bowls this onto the pads on a good length. Easy pickings for Venkatesh Iyer as he flicks this to the right of short fine leg for four runs to deep backward square leg. 15 runs in the first over. 

Mohsin Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX, SIX! Varun Chakaravarthy is making is intent clear early to the Lucknow bowlers! Mohsin Khan bowls this short and outside off. Venkatesh Iyer charges down the wicket and pulls this over deep square leg for six runs. 

Mohsin Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, no run, Goes full this time and at the pads. Venkatesh Iyer clips this towards the mid on fielder. 

Mohsin Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR, FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer opens his account with a cracking boundary! Mohsin Khan bowls this slightly short and outside off. Venkatesh Iyer stands tall and punches this towards deep point for four runs. 

Mohsin Khan to Jason Roy, 1 run, On a good length this time and outside the off pole, Jason Roy guides this down to third man for a single. 

Mohsin Khan to Jason Roy, no run, Mohsin Khan begins with a back-of-a-length delivery bowled in line with the stumps. Jason Roy looks to pull this away but misses.