Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL, 2024, Full Score Card

OUT! RUN OUT! Can you believe it? A terrible throw back at the keeper's end but Phil Salt does exceptionally well to claw the game back as Kolkata wins this nail-biter of a game by just 1 run. Mitchell Starc bowls this full and just outside off, Lockie Ferguson digs it well to deep cover and sets off for the second run. Ramandeep Singh collects the ball well but throws it wildly past the keeper at the striker's end. Despite the errant throw, Phil Salt swiftly reacts, retrieving the ball and executing a lightning-quick dive to knock the stumps down with Lockie Ferguson well short of his crease.

Lockie Ferguson is the last man in. He needs to hit a boundary to win the game. A two will tie the game and we will go to a Super Over.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Mitchell Starc has pulled off a fabulous catch to bring back Kolkata in the game! What an innings this has been from Karn Sharma but he has to walk back with Bengaluru needing 3 off the last ball. Starc steams from over the wicket and with pace on bowls the fuller delivery on middle and leg, Karn Sharma gets deceived by pace and just chops it back really low towards the right of Mitchell Starc who gets down and takes a clean catch.

SIX! Karn Sharma you beauty! Three in the over and Bengaluru fans believe! Starc misses the line and bowls it wider on off on a fuller length, Karn Sharma cuts it uppishly over point for half a dozen more.

SIX! Oh dear, Karn Sharma has titled this game back on its head and it can go anywhere from here. Mitchell Starc bowls this full and outside off again, Karn Sharma plants his front leg out and whips it over cover for a maximum.

An appeal for caught behind and the umpire turns it down. Shreyas Iyer sends it upstairs for a review. Starc bowls this full and outside off, Karn Sharma looks for the slice yet again but seems to have gotten a faint edge into the keeper's gloves. The replays roll in and the UltraEdge confirm there was a spike as the ball passed the bat. The third umpire also looks to reconfirm if it was a clean take behind the stumps and it shows that the ball brushed the grass as Phil Salt picks it up. The onfield call stays as NOT OUT!

SIX! How well has he connected that one? Mitchell Starc looks for the wide yorker and ends up bowling this right in the slot, outside off, Karn Sharma slices it over point for a maximum.

Mohammed Siraj comes out to the middle now. Mitchell Starc to bowl the last over. He has conceded 36 runs in his two overs and now needs to defend 20 runs.

OUT! CAUGHT! Is that the game for Kolkata? Dinesh Karthik holes out and Bengaluru slips further down.  Andre Russell drops the length short and angles it down leg, with no pace, Dinesh Karthik gets across the line and looks to pull it over short fine but is way too early on the shot. He ends up chopping it up and to left of the keeper who settles under it and takes a simple catch.

FOUR! That's a top shot! Another well-executed yorker on off, Dinesh Karthik stays deep and opens the bat face to steer the ball through point for four runs.

Nails the yorker yet again! Fires the fuller delivery, outside off, Dinesh Karthik digs it out to cover but doesn't take the run.

SIX! Up, up and just over the fielder for a maximum. Andre Russell bowls this one on a length and attacks the stumps, Dinesh Karthik picks the length and flicks it over the outstretched fielder at deep square leg who only gets his fingers to it tipping it over the fence for six runs.

Nails the yorker right does Andre Russell! Bowls this full and into the pads, Dinesh Karthik looks to flick but misses out.

Bangs the deck on a length and takes the pace off, Dinesh Karthik is too early on the pull and misses out. The ball clips him high on the back and rolls over to short third.

Gautam Gambhir is having a chat about something with the umpire. It looks like Sunil Narine went off the field but the umpires are saying that he will need to be on for the last couple of overs. Also, Andre Russell to bowl the penultimate over. He has conceded 15 runs in his two overs and picked up two wickets as well.

Great over this to end the spell for Harshit Rana! Gives away only 6 of it. Offers no pace and bowls this shorter of a length, outside off, Dinesh Karthik pulls it straight to deep mid-wicket for a single to retain the strike. Bengaluru need 31 more runs to win off the last two overs.

Tap and run! Hurls this on a good length and attacks the stumps, Karn Sharma just pushes it to the off side and pinches a single.

Drops the length short and over off, with no pace at it, Dinesh Karthik pulls it off the bottom half of the bat to Andre Russell at deep mid-wicket for just one.

Takes pace off and hits the deck on a length, over middle and off, Karn Sharma manages to get some bat and cut it to short third for a single to get off strike.

WIDE! Bowls this fuller and wayward on off for a wide. Karn Sharma leaves it alone.

Karn Sharma is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kolkata gets the much-needed breakthrough and it will now all depend on DK for Bengaluru! Harshit Rana takes pace off and bowls it full and on off, Suyash Prabhudessai goes for the big slog but ends up asking it high into the night sky towards long on. Angkrish Raghuvanshi in the deep settles under the ball and takes a good catch.

Lands this on a hard length, outside off, Dinesh Karthik cuts it hard and neat but straight to deep point for just a single.

Floats this one up, outside off, Suyash Prabhudessai looks for the big hoick but misses out on any connection. A dot to end the over for Varun Chakaravarthy!

FOUR! Inches short of a maximum! Varun Chakaravarthy drags down the length and drifts it down leg, Suyash Prabhudessai rocks back nd pulls it well over short fine leg for a boundary.

A loud appeal for caught behind but the umpire stays unmoved. After a lot of discussion, Shreyas Iyer does send it upstairs for a review. Varun Chakaravarthy bowls this one fuller and outside off, Suyash Prabhudessai takes a step across and looks to sweep it along the square on leg but misses out. The replays roll on and confirm that the ball brushes the thigh pad on its way back into the keeper's gloves and the onfield calls stays as NOT OUT!

Fuller and flatter into off, Suyash Prabhudessai drills it straight back to the bowler off the toe end of the bat.

Bangs the deck on a fuller length, outside off, Suyash Prabhudessai looks to reverse sweep it but gets beaten onto his pad and hits Phil Salt on the helmet.

Bowls this one fuller and into middle and off, Dinesh Karthik gets his bat forward and opens the bat face steering the ball to deep point for a single.

Strategic-Break! The game is hanging in the balance at the moment but Bengaluru will be backing themselves with DK still at the crease. They don't need to take many risks and if they avoid losing wickets, they should get this done. Kolkata knows that a wicket or two here will change the complexion of the game again and it will be interesting to see how Shreyas Iyer use his bowlers at the death. A really exciting last phase of this chase coming up.

Bowls this straighter this time on a good length and into the stumps, Dinesh Karthik covers the line and sensibly tucks it in front of long on for a single to end the over. Bengaluru now need 42 runs off the last 4 overs.

Hurls this at 144.8 kph, on a hard length, outside off, Dinesh Karthik looks to slice it over point but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Takes pace off and bowls this fuller and just outside off, Suyash Prabhudessai nudges it with soft hands towards mid on and gets to the other end.

A tad shorter and outside off, Dinesh Karthik reaches out and cuts it to backward point for a single.

FOUR! Cuts it right this time around! Rana hits the deck on a hard length again and this time a bit closer to that off-stump line, Dinesh Karthik waits back and cuts it neatly past point for four runs.

Comes from over the wicket and hurls this on a hard length, outside off, Dinesh Karthik looks to cut it away through off but misses out.

Flighted, full and on off, Suyash Prabhudessai once again tucks it through mid-wicket for a couple of more runs. 10 runs off the over without taking much risk!

Quicker one, full and around off, Suyash Prabhudessai goes for the sweep but misses.

Slows it up, short and around leg, Suyash Prabhudessai swipes it straight to short fine leg.

Shortish and on middle, Suyash Prabhudessai flicks it off the back foot through square leg for another brace.

Tosed up, full and on middle, Suyash Prabhudessai nudges it towars the vacant mid-wicket region and comes back for the second run.

FOUR! Good shot! This is flatter, full and on middle, Suyash Prabhudessai goes down and just manages to paddle it away towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Varun Chakaravarthy (2-0-21-1) comes back into the attack with Bengaluru needing 59 more runs off 36 balls.

FOUR! Fine shot! Andre Russell is on the ground as this was a great delivery. He nails the yorker this time, on off, angling in, Dinesh Karthik watches it through and opens the face at the last moment to steer it past the keeper for a boundary.

What do you call that shot now? This is one short of a length and around off, slower again, Suyash Prabhudessai winds up for the reverse scoop but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a single.

Slower one, full again and on middle, Suyash Prabhudessai tucks it with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

Fuller one and on off, Dinesh Karthik drills it towards long off for a single.

Back of a length and on off and on off, Dinesh Karthik dabs it towards covers.

On a length and on middle, shaping in, Suyash Prabhudessai tries to play at it but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball goes towards short third man, the batters set off for the leg bye and the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end where Suyash Prabhudessai puts in a dive and the ball defelcts off his body which saves him.

Dinesh Karthik walks out to bat at number 8 for Bengaluru.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! The Caribbean flair is working at the Gardens! Sunil Narine slows it up, short and on middle, Mahipal Lomror stays back to clip it away but he too closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge, Narine takes a dolly on his own bowling. There is a check for a No Ball but it is a fair delivery. Bengaluru six down now!

FOUR! Just over! He bowls this one short and around off, Mahipal Lomror tries to cut it away but slices it in the air, Harshit Rana at short third man leaps up to grab it with both hands but it just flies over him for a boundary.

Flighted, full and on middle, Mahipal Lomror looks to work it away but gets a lading edge along the ground towards covers.

Mahipal Lomror walks out to bat at number 7 for Bengaluru.

OUT! TAKEN! Sunil Narine strikes in his final over! He drags his length back this time, on middle, Cameron Green backs himself to clear the shorter side and goes for the pull but mistimes it straight into the hands of Ramandeep Singh at deep mid-wicket who takes a good catch. Green goes back and Bengaluru loses half their side now!

SIX! Goes again and connect this time! Sunil Narine floats it up, full and on middle and leg, Cameron Green goes down and miscues his heave but it still goes flat and hard over deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Swing and a miss! This is tossed up, full and on middle, turns in, Cameron Green backs away to slog it but misses it completely.

Short again and on middle, slower too this time, Suyash Prabhudessai pulls it wide of deep square leg and comes back for the second run. A better throw and he would have been in trouble there.

FOUR! Suyash Prabhudessai gets off the mark in good fashion! Andre Russell bangs this short and around off, Suyash Prabhudessai stands tall and plays a controlled pull towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

On a length but angling down the leg side, Suyash Prabhudessai tries to flick but misses. Wided.

At number 6 for Bengaluru, it will be Suyash Prabhudessai who replaces Yash Dayal as the impact substitute.

OUT! TAKEN! Dre Russ with the double blow! He brings out the slower one this time, full and around middle, Rajat Patidar looks to flick it away but closes the face of the bat early, the ball goes straight in the air off the leading edge, Harshit Rana at point settles under it and takes a crucial catch. Bengaluru loses both set batters in the same over and this game swings again.

Overpitched and outside off, Rajat Patidar squeezes it straight to point

A full toss, on middle, angling in, Cameron Green misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken.

Cameron Green walks out to bat at number 5 for Bengaluru.

OUT! TAKEN! Dre Russ strikes straightaway! The crowd has come alive again at the Eden Gardens. Andre Russell starts with a full delivery, on middle, Will Jacks goes for the slog but fails to get under it and hits it flat and in the air towards long on, Angkrish Raghuvanshi judges it well and reverse-cups it just in front of the boundary line. A much-needed wicket for Kolkata but Jacks goes after a brilliant half-century.

Andre Russell comes into the attack now.

SIX! FIFTY FOR PATIDAR! A scintillating knock from him and he is dragging this game away from Kolkata here. Sunil Narine gives it some flight, full and on middle, Rajat Patidar goes down and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Floated, short once more, on off, Will Jacks tries to play at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls in front of point. They cross.

Darts this one on middle, keeps a bit low, Rajat Patidar manages to heave it through mid-wicket for a run.

SIX! Rajat Patidar is on fire here! This is tossed up, full and on leg, Rajat Patidar backs away a bit and tonks it just over long on for a biggie.

Quicker, short again, on middle, angling in, Rajat Patidar misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

Flatter, short and on middle, Will Jacks punches it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Delicately done and Rajat Patidar has gotten himself on a roll here! Tossed up delivery outside off, Rajat Patidar with soft hands digs it out with an open face steering the ball past backward point for four more. Bengaluru at the halfway mark are cruising along at 122 runs for the loss of just two.

Goes fuller and into the stumps, Rajat Patidar miscues his heave to wide of long on for a couple of runs.

SIX! Wow, that's some shot! Suyash Sharma drags the length down over middle, Rajat Patidar waits back and plants his front leg ahead to clobber this one into the nigh sky over mid-wicket for another maximum.

Takes pace off and bowls this one flatter and fuller, just outside off, Rajat Patidar throws the kitchen sink at it but only manages to get it off the lower half off the bat straight into the bat of Will Jacks at the other end.

SIX! That's even better! Tossed up into the stumps, Rajat Patidar clears his front foot and slogs it over mid-wicket for a maximum this time.

FOUR! Bowls this fuller and into the stumps, Rajat Patidar rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for four more runs. Bengaluru switching gears at the right time now.

FOUR! Will Jacks gets to his half-century with that cracking shot! Varun Chakaravarthy drops the length a bit outside off, Will Jacks slaps it in front of the square on off for four more runs.

Bowls this one quicker and flatter into the stumps, Will Jacks punches it back to the bowler.

SIX! That one stayed up in the air for an eternity but goes well beyond the fence! Tossed up on middle and off, Will Jacks picks the length and lofts it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

Bowls this flatter and fuller, just outside off, Will Jacks looks for the reverse hit but misses out on any connection.

A tad shorter in length over middle and off, Rajat Patidar whips it to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Goes fuller and outside off, Rajat Patidar mistimes his drive straight back to the bowler.

Lands this further away off that off stump line and just withing the guideline on off, Will Jacks leaves it alone hoping for it to be called a wide.

Floats this one up again and into the stumps, Rajat Patidar miscues his heave to wide of long on for a single.

WIDE! Full and drifting down leg for a wide. Will have to re-bowl that one.

SIX! Just over Mitchell Starc in the deep. Suyash Sharma bowls the googly, on a fuller length and outside off, Rajat Patidar frees his arms and drives it beautifully lofting the ball over deep extra cover for a maximum.

Tosses this fuller and outside off, Will Jacks reaches for it and drives it to long on for one.

Bowls this one fuller and on off, Rajat Patidar looks for the big hoick but mistimes it to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Starts from over the wicket and floats a low full toss on off, Will Jacks drives it to long off for a single.

Suyash Sharma comes into the attack now.

Flatter and fuller, outside off, Rajat Patidar cuts it straight to cover.

Flights this one fuller and on off, Will Jacks works it to mid off and gets a single.

Pitches this fuller and into the pads, Rajat Patidar tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

BYES! Bowls this nicely on a fuller length and gets the ball to turn back in sharply beating Will Jacks on all ends. The ball zips past the leg stump and evades the keeper for a single.

Fuller and on off, Will Jacks cuts it straight to cover.

Goes fuller and just outside off, Rajat Patidar digs it to backward point and squeezes a quick single.

Strategic-Break! There is not much between the teams at this stage. After losing the big guns, Will Jacks has taken over and taken apart Mitchell Starc and he will need to continue like this with some support from the other end. Kolkata got the big wickets but has been expensive again in the Powerplay and will hope that their spinners can do the trick here. Also, Kolkata announce their Impact Player and it will be Suyash Sharma replacing Rinku Singh.  An exciting phase of cricket awaits us.

FOUR! Will Jacks looks to have gotten himself into the Indian T20 League now! Full and angling into the right-hander, over middle, Jacks clears his front leg and hoicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary to end the over. Bengaluru end the powerplay on a high with this over going for 22 runs!

SIX! Will Jacks is delivering just what his team requires! Starc overpitches this one outside off, Will Jacks times his loft over mid off to perfection sending it over the fence for another maximum.

Angles this in, on a good length and into middle and leg, Will Jacks looks to whip it across the line but misses out on connection.

Attempts a yorker and lands a low full toss on off, Will Jacks mistimes his drive to covers.

SIX! BOOM! Stand and deliver for a 97-meter six! Starc drops the length short over middle and off, Will Jacks waits back and pulls it handsomely over mid-wicket for another biggie!

SIX! Up, up and over! That one sounded sweet off the bat! Mitchell Starc comes from over the wicket and bowls a fuller delivery into the stumps with some pace off, Will Jacks picks up the length and lands the ball in the crowd over deep square leg for a maximum.

Another short delivery, on middle, Will Jacks forces it down to long on for one.

Short and on middle, Rajat Patidar stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Slows it up, full and on leg, turning in, Will Jacks backs away to swipe it but misses and gets hit on the pads, the ball rolls towards square and the batters take a leg bye.

FOUR! Good short! This is tossed up, full and on middle, Will Jacks goes down and this time nails his sweep shot wide of deep square leg for a boundary.

A bit short and on off, Will Jacks punches it to extra covers.

Sunil Narine begins with a flatter delivery, full and on leg, Will Jacks goes for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

It will be spin from both ends as Sunil Narine comes into the attack now.

FOUR! Easy pickings! This is a low full toss, on off, Rajat Patidar stands tall and smacks it past the bowler for a boundary.

Quicker, full and on middle, Will Jacks swipes it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! A bit unlucky for Varun Chakaravarthy! He flights this up, full and on middle, Will Jacks moves down across to sweep but gets a slight top edge over the keeper's head, teases the short fine leg fielder all the way to go for a boundary. However, the replay shows that there might not have been any bat involved and could have been an LBW.

Flatter, full and on leg, Will Jacks misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

Floated, full and on middle, Rajat Patidar clips it through square leg for a single.

Rajat Patidar walks in at number 4 for Bengaluru.

OUT! TAKEN! Varun Chakaravarthy strikes straightaway! We have seen some amazing catches in this game and Venkatesh Iyer is the latest entrant. This one is tossed up, full and on middle, Faf du Plessis tries to go over mid on but fails to get under it, hits it flat and uppishly wide of that fielder, Venkatesh Iyer dives to his left to take a stunning catch. Bengaluru loses both their openers now!

Spin is introduced as Varun Chakaravarthy replaces Mitchell Starc.

Change of pace again, touch fuller and on off, Will Jacks pushes it to short covers. 8 runs and the big wicket of Virat Kohli from the over.

Slower one, on a length and on middle, Will Jacks backs away and tries to punch it away but gets an inside edge towards short fine leg.

SIX! Will Jacks gets his first maximum in streaky fashion! Harshit Rana goes full and outside off, Will Jacks tries to slog it over mid off but gets an outside edge as the ball flies over the third man fence for six runs.

Back of a length and on off, Will Jacks punches it towards cover-point, Andre Russell lets it through and allows a couple of runs.

Pitched up and around off, Will Jacks miscues his drive to mid off.

Will Jacks walks out at number 3 for Bengaluru.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! That is the repeat of Andre Russell's first ball in this match and the decision goes against Bengaluru again. Kohli is not at all happy and is making his feelings known to the umpire. Harshit Rana loses his grip and bowls a loopy delivery, on middle, Virat Kohli gets surprised by it and just hangs his bat around, the ball loops off the leading edge and Rana takes a dolly. Now, it remains to be seen whether that was above the waist height or not. The umpires send it upstairs and the replay shows that when Kohli made contact he was outside of the crease and the ball was dipping as well. Kolkata gets a massive wicket here!

Is that out? Harshit Rana bowls a full toss and takes a simple catch on his follow-through. The umpire sends it upstairs for a review to check for the above waist height. The replay confirms that Virat Kohli was outside the crease and the ball would have dipped on him. Virat Kohli is furious but will have to walk back. Kolkata get their first break-through!

FOUR! Up and over! This one is touch fuller and around off, Faf du Plessis tries to loft it away, gets it from the toe-end of the bat but it still goes well over mid off for another boundary. 14 runs off the over!

Mitchell Starc bangs this one short again, on middle, takes off sharply, Faf du Plessis goes for the pull but fails to connect.

Short of a length and on middle, Virat Kohli pats it down to the off side for a quick single.

SIX! Into the crowd! Mitchell Starc serves this full and in the slot, on leg, Virat Kohli backs away to make a bit of room and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

On a length and around leg, Faf du Plessis misses his flick as the ball lobs off his pads wide of short fine leg. The batters crosses for a leg bye.

Halt. Mitchell Starc is seen getting some treatment for the fingers of his left hand. The physio is out and Starc is getting some wipes on his finger. Right then, he is all set to resume.

On a length and around of, Faf du Plessis wafts it over extra covers for a couple of runs.

Mitchell Starc begins with a full delivery but well down the leg side, shaping in, Faf du Plessis leaves it alone, Phil Salt dives to his left to collect it. Wided.

It will be Mitchell Starc to share the new ball from the other end.

SIX! BANG! Virat Kohli goes big now! Harshit Rana tries for the surprise bouncer, on middle, Virat Kohli is equal to it, swivels and pulls it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 12 runs off the first over then!

Short of a length and outside off, Virat Kohli cuts it straight to point. He is disappointed as this was there to be put away.

Goes back to his fuller length, on off, Faf du Plessis mistimes his drive towards long on for a run.

Harshit Rana lands this one on a good length, on off, nips back in sharply, Faf du Plessis gets cramped up as he tries to play and gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Pitched up, on middle, swinging in, Virat Kohli knocks it to mid on for a single.

FOUR! Virat Kohli and Bengaluru get underway in fine fashion! Harshit Rana starts with a full delivery, on middle, shaping in, Virat Kohli uses his wrists and times his flick to perfection through mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! Ramandeep Singh ends with a flurry! Yash Dayal continues with his off-pace short delivery, on middle, Ramandeep Singh waits for it this time, and upper cuts it over the keeper's head for another boundary. Kolkata finishes on 222/6

Another scorching yorker, on middle, angling in, Andre Russell jams it out behind the stumps for one more.

Yash Dayal goes for the slower bouncer now, on off, Andre Russell winds up for the ramp but misses it. It is given as a fair delivery but Andre Russell takes the review. The replay shows that it is just over the head of the batter. Wide called!

Another slower delivery, short and on off, Ramandeep Singh drags his pull towards deep mid-wicket for one more.

Yash Dayal nails the yorker now, on middle, angling in, Andre Russell digs it out off the inner half of the bat towards short fine leg for one.

FOUR MORE! This is the slower one, short of a length and on off, Andre Russell waits for it and swats it away wide of long on for another boundary.

FOUR! Nice shot! Yash Dayal tries the wide yorker but bowls a full toss, outside off, Andre Russell throws his bat at it and slices it over short third man for a boundary.

Mohammed Siraj sees the batter make room and serves this full, outside off, Andre Russell reaches for it and only manages to squeeze it towards deep point for one. 20 runs off the over! Bengaluru have now also been penalised an extra fielder in the 30-yard circle for their slow over rate.

Tries to bowl the bouncer but this is way down the leg side, Andre Russell leaves it alone. It is called a wide.

Pitches it up, on middle, angling in, Ramandeep Singh miscues his slog off the toe end towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Mohammed Siraj takes pace off this time, short of a length and on middle, Ramandeep Singh goes through his pull early and misses.

Goes fuller once again but angling down the leg, Ramandeep Singh swipes at it but misses. Wided.

FOUR! A bit streaky but Kolkata won't mind that! Mohammed Siraj bowls a good yorker, outside off, Ramandeep Singh throws his bat it, gets an outside edge that flies just wide of short third man for a boundary now. 200 up now!

SIX MORE! Virat Kohli is watching it sail over his head! Mohammed Siraj serves this full and around off, slower too, Ramandeep Singh crouches it low, thrashes it with the full face of the bat over long off for another maximum.

SIX! Up, up and away! Ramandeep Singh joins the party now! Mohammed Siraj bowls this on a good length and around off, Ramandeep Singh steps across a bit and whacks it way over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

FOUR! Gets it in the gap this time! Cameron Green bangs this short again, on middle, but this one sits up nicely, Andre Russell gets on top of the bounce and heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Pitches it up, on middle, Ramandeep Singh clips it through mid-wicket for one.

Short of a length and on off, Andre Russell pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller one and on middle, Ramandeep Singh nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Ramandeep Singh walks out to bat next for Kolkata.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Cameron Green gets his second wicket and it is another fantastic catch in the deep. This is full and around middle, Shreyas Iyer slogs it nicely wide of long off, but Faf du Plessis covers a lot of ground to his right, gets his body behind it and takes a brilliant catch. Iyer cannon believe it but he has to walk back after a excellent fifty.

In the blockhole, on middle, shaping in, Andre Russell misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken.

Cameron Green bangs this one short, angling into leg, Andre Russell ducks under it. It is given as wide but Bengaluru takes a review here. After a few replays, the third umpire deems that it is going over the head height and wide call remains.

Cameron Green (3-0-27-1) comes back into the attack.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR IYER! It has been a fine knock from him and he is just starting to accelerate now. This is full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer drills it hard down the pitch, Faf du Plessis from long off runs to his right, gets a hand to it but it still rolls away for a boundary.

SIX! BOOM! Shreyas Iyer goes big now! Yash Dayal takes pace off, short of a length and on off, Shreyas Iyer picks it up early, waits for and slaps it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Fullish and around off, Shreyas Iyer drives it firmly wide of extra covers, the fielder there dives to his right and makes a fine stop. A dot!

Yash Dayal is struggling with his line here, pitches it up way outside off, Shreyas Iyer offers no shot at it. Another wide!

Yash Dayal gets away with it! He bangs this short and on off, takes pace off, Andre Russell mistimes his cut in the air towards extra covers where Faf du Plessis grabs it. A single is taken.

Another full delivery but well outside off this time, Andre Russell leaves it alone. Wided again. Free Hit continues...

FIVE WIDES! Oh..no wait! The buzzer goes off and it is a No Ball! Yash Dayal loses his line completely and bowls this full and way down the leg side, no chance of Dinesh Karthik stopping that as it goes for a boundary to the fine leg fence. Free Hit coming up..

Goes wide yorker this time, outside off, Andre Russell swing wildly at it but misses it.

FOUR! Put away! Yash Dayal serves a juicy full toss, outside off, Andre Russell backs away and smacks it through extra covers for a boundary.

Strategic break! Despite the setbacks of losing wickets, Kolkata continues to maintain an impressive run rate of over 9 runs per over. As the innings enter its final phase with just four overs remaining, much hinges on this batting pair to launch an assault for a substantial finish. Bengaluru will have their sights set on snaring these two key wickets, aiming to contain Kolkata to a total below the 180-run mark.

Slower one now, full and on off, Andre Russell drills it wide of mid off, Faf du Plessis dives to his left to make a good stop and keeps down to one run. Six singles off the over then!

Short again and outside off, Shreyas Iyer cuts it on the bounce to deep backward point for one.

Short of a length and on off again, Andre Russell backs away and ramps it towards third man for another run.

On a length and on off, Shreyas Iyer punches it towards sweeper covers for a run.

In the air...safe! Lockie Ferguson bangs in a sharp bouncer, on middle, angling in, Andre Russell gets hurried onto his pull and mistimes it, the ball goes in the air but lands well in front of fine leg. They cross.

Back of a length and on off, Shreyas Iyer dabs it wide of short third man for a single. 150 up for Kolkata!

Fuller again and into the stumps, Shreyas Iyer tucks it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike over.

FOUR! That's some shot! Fuller delivery, on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer reverse sweeps it over point for a boundary.

Half and appeal from Dinesh Karthik behind the stumps for LBW! Karn Sharma bowls this nice and full on middle and leg, drifting down leg, Shreyas Iyer looks for the swing over the leg side but misses out. The ball hits him on the front pad.

Fuller and drifting into leg, Andre Russell looks for the sweep towards square of the wicket on leg but gets a thin edge onto his pads and past the keeper for a single.

Bangs this on a fuller length and gets the ball to drift and turn back in from middle, Andre Russell gets on the backfoot and stabs it back onto the deck.

Bowls this fuller and into the stumps, Shreyas Iyer gets down to the pitch of the ball and tucks it to cover for a single.

Karn Sharma to bowl out now.

A tad shorter in length over off, Shreyas Iyer makes room and flat bats it to deep point for a single to end the over.

Shorter in length, outside off, Shreyas Iyer dabs it to short third for no run.

Goes fuller and attacks the stumps, Andre Russell hops back and tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Takes pace off and bowls the good length over middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer looks to tuck it away but gets a thick outside edge over the bowler's head for a single.

Hurls this on a hard length and into middle and leg, Andre Russell is cramped for room and he only manages to clip it to mid-wicket for one run.

Oh dear, an appeal for caught behind and it looks to be above the waist height but is given out by the onfield umpire, Andre Russell sends it upstairs for a review! Lockie Ferguson steams from over the wicket and bowls a full toss outside off, Andre Russell is surprised by the ball as he looks to poke at it and gets an outside edge into the hands of Dinesh Karthik behind the stumps. The replay confirms that the height was above the waist and it will be NOT OUT! A freehit will now follow!

Dre Russ walks out to bat now with a huge roar from the crowd.

OUT! CAUGHT! Change of fortunes for Lockie Ferguson as he gets a big fish! Kolkata lose half their side now! Ferguson drops the length short and hits the deck over middle and leg, Rinku Singh gets inside the line of the ball and looks to flick it over fine leg but ends up chopping it straight down the throat of Yash Dayal at short fine leg.

FOUR! That's smart batting and ends the over well for Kolkata. Cameron Green drops the length short and over off, Shreyas Iyer waits back and ramps it over the keeper for four more runs to end the over.

Pitches this on a length and into the stumps, Rinku Singh opens the bat face and steers it to thrid man for one.

FOUR! Adding salt to the wound! Cameron Green bowls this on a length and on off, Rinku Singh shimmies down the track and lofts this over mid on for a boundary.

DROPPED! It was a tough chance but Cameron Green should have taken that! Bowls the length delivery on off, Shreyas Iyer just chips it back to the left of the bowler who was caught off guard. Green does stick his hand out but the ball pops out and rolls over to mid off region for a single.

Bowls this on a length and into the pads, Rinku Singh tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Hurls in the bouncer, over middle and off, Rinku Singh advances down the track and looks to pull but gets beaten.

Darts this fuller and flatter into the stumps, Rinku Singh steps out and looks for the heave but mistimes it to deep backward square leg for just a single.

SIX! Much needed for Kolkata! Tossed up outside off and turning away further, Rinku Singh steps out and clubs it over the bowler's head for a maximum.

Fuller in length and into the stumps, Rinku Singh drives it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

LEG BYES! Bowls this fuller and outside off, Shreyas Iyer looks for the reverse sweep but gets clipped on the front pad as the ball rolls over to the off side and the batters cross for a run.

Floats this up on middle, Rinku Singh eases it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Fuller and into the pads, Shreyas Iyer takes a step out and tucks it to mid-wicket region for a single.

A direct hit and Shreyas Iyer would have had to walk back! Green bowls this fuller and on off, Shreyas Iyer taps it in front of mid off and sets off for the run. Faf du Plessis collects the ball and has a shy at the stumps at the bowler's end but misses.

FOUR! Made it look so easy did Shreyas Iyer! Green bowls this on a length and over off, Shreyas Iyer covers the line and delicately flicks it wide of long on for four runs.

Three dots in a row! Green bowls this on a hard length, on off, Shreyas Iyer taps it to left of the bowler.

Bowls this full and outside off, Shreyas Iyer punches it to mid off for no run.

A top delivery from Cameron Green and there was a slight appeal for caught behind! Green drops the length short and hits the deck hard over off, Shreyas Iyer looks for the pull but misses out as the ball zips past the outside edge into the keeper's gloves.

Bowls this on a length and into the pads, Rinku Singh tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

WIDE! Looks for the bouncer and drops it a bit too short, over middle, Rinku Singh half ducks at it and leaves it alone for a wide.

Brilliant effort in the deep! This is looped up, full and around middle, Shreyas Iyer changes his stance completely and plays the switch-hit wide of sweeper covers, Mohammed Siraj runs to his left and grabs it on the bounce with the ball skidding through. Two runs taken. This is also the first over without a boundary in this inning.

Flighted, full and outside off, Shreyas Iyer drills it straight to point.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer strides out and blocks it out.

Quicker, short and on leg, Rinku Singh nudges it towards short fine leg for a quick run.

Floated, short and on middle, turns away, Shreyas Iyer stays back and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Rinku Singh clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Slower one, short and around leg again, Rinku Singh hooks it towards fine leg for one.

FOUR! Good shot to get off the mark! Cameron Green lands this back of a length and around leg, Rinku Singh swivels and pulls it away wide of deep square leg for a boundary. 100 up for Kolkata!

On a length and on middle, Rinku Singh blocks it out.

Another bouncer and around off, Rinku Singh leaves it alone.

Rinku Singh walks out to bat at number 6 for Kolkata.

OUT! TAKEN! Cameron Green has the last laugh here! He bangs in a quick short ball, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer goes for the pull but gets a bit hurried, the ball flies off the splice of the bat towards deep square leg where Mahipal Lomror takes a fine running catch. Venkatesh Iyer goes back after a nice little cameo but Kolkata are four down now.

FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer greets Cameron Green with a boundary! This one is pitched up and around middle, Venkatesh Iyer steps across and times his flick beautifully wide of mid on for four runs.

Cameron Green is introduced into the attack now.

Good comeback by Karn Sharma! He tosses it up, full and on off, grips and turns away sharply, Shreyas Iyer prods forward to block but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Short and punished! Karn Sharma drags his length back and around middle, Shreyas Iyer has enough time to rock back and places his pull between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for another boundary.

Flighted, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer turns it to the leg side.

FOUR! Nicely played! This is flatter, full but down the leg side, Shreyas Iyer goes down on one knee, uses the pace of the ball, and paddles it towards the fine leg fence, Mahipal Lomror runs to his right and dives but the ball wins the race to the boundary.

Floated, full and on leg, Venkatesh Iyer tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Karn Sharma starts with a loopy full toss, on middle, Shreyas Iyer flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Karn Sharma comes into the attack.

Short of a length and outside off, Shreyas Iyer cuts it to deep point for one.

Hard-length delivery, on middle, Shreyas Iyer pats it down to the right of the bowler.

FOUR! Classy from the skipper! Lockie Ferguson pitches it up, on middle, angling in, Shreyas Iyer presents the full face of the bat and drives it gloriously down the ground past mid on for a boundary.

Lockie Ferguson sees the batter advance and hits the hard length, on leg, Venkatesh Iyer gets cramped up and chips it towards mid-wicket for another run.

Back of a length and on middle, Shreyas Iyer clips it through square leg for a run and gets off the mark.

Fuller one and on off, Venkatesh Iyer pushes it through covers for a single.

Strategic break! After an explosive start led by Phil Salt, Bengaluru's bowlers showcased resilience, staging a remarkable comeback by dismissing the top three Kolkata batters. With momentum swinging in their favour, Bengaluru will now aim to maintain the pressure, preventing the new batters from finding their rhythm. Meanwhile, Kolkata will face the task of rebuilding, emphasizing the urgency to forge a partnership and capitalize on the promising foundation laid earlier in the innings. The skipper Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat next for Kolkata.

OUT! GREEN WITH A BLINDER! That is an unbelievable catch and probably the only man out there who could have taken that. Yash Dayal bowls it full once more, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi flicks it with good timing but uppishly, it looks like it will go over mid-wicket but Cameron Green backtracks a bit and plucks it out of thin air with his outstretched right hand. Bengaluru needed something special and now they have three in the Powerplay. Game on!

Back of a length and on off, Venkatesh Iyer guides it through point for a single.

FOUR! TWO IN TWO! Top shot! Another pitched-up delivery, on off, Venkatesh Iyer leans onto his drive nicely and creams it past mid off for another boundary.

FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer gets off the mark in style! Yash Dayal goes full again and around middle, Venkatesh Iyer charges down the track and thumps it over mid off for a boundary.

Venkatesh Iyer walks out to bat at number 4 for Kolkata.

OUT! TAKEN! Yash Dayal gets the big wicket! The plan has worked for Bengaluru and Sunil Narine goes back now. Dayal keep it well outside off and serves this full, takes pace off as well, Sunil Narine goes for the slog but only manages to slice it high in the air towards long off, Virat Kohli settles under it and pouches it safely. Kolkata lose both their openers in the Powerplay!

Just over! This is full and on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi mistimes his lofted shot, it teases Faf du Plessis at mid off and goes just over him. However, he chases well after it and dives to flick it back inside. Three runs taken.

LEG BYES! There was a loud appeal for LBW but it looked to be drifting down leg! Mohammed Siraj bowls a low full toss into the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi looks to flick but misses out on connection. The ball clips the front pad and goes to fine leg region for a single.

Another fuller delivery, on middle and off, Sunil Narine digs it out to cover for a single.

FOUR! Not off the centre of the bat but that will race away to the fences over the practice pitches. A fuller delivery, outside off, Sunil Narine reaches out looking for the heave and manages to toe end it past mid on for a boundary.

LEG BYES! Hurls this on a length and into the pads, Angkrish Raghuvanshi looks to tuck it on leg but misses out. The ball brushes his front pad and rolls to short fine leg while the batters cross for a run.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! A fine innings comes to an end and Bengaluru can finally breathe a sigh of relief! Mohammed Siraj has been bowling those tight lines and deserved the wicket. Bowls this on a good length and into middle and leg, Phil Salt flicks it neatly but only gets the elevation on it. The ball goes high up in the air towards Rajat Patidar at deep mid-wicket who takes a simple catch.

Steams from over the wicket and bangs the deck on a hard length, on middle and leg, Sunil Narine mistimes his heave to deep square leg for a single.

Mohammed Siraj to bowl his third over in the Powerplay.

FOUR! Oh dear, it just got hotter in the kitchen for Bengaluru! 28 runs come off it. Lockie Ferguson goes fuller and into the stumps, Phil Salt takes his front leg away and clobbers it over the bowler's head for another boundary to end the over.

FOUR! Thars's just poor bowling from Lockie Ferguson! Attempts the yorker and serves a full toss on off, Phil Salt just picks the gap and drives it through covers for four more runs.

SIX! That's the best of them all and Phil Salt is taking the attack on Lockie Ferguson! Another fuller delivery on off, Phil Salt clears his front leg and clubs it over mid off for a maximum.

FOUR! Stand and deliver! Bowls this full and outside off, Phil Salt frees his arms and drives it through extra cover for four more runs.

FOUR! Streaky and that could have crashed into the stumps. Ferguson bowls a hard length delivery, on middle and off, Phil Salt looks to whip it across the line but gets a thick inside edge past the leg stump that trickles away to fine leg fence for four more.

SIX! Easy pickings for Phil Salt! Lockie Ferguson starts from over the wicket and bowls the shorter delivery which was not short enough, outside off, Phil Salt waits on and nails the pull over square leg for a maximum.

Lockie Ferguson replaces Yash Dayal.

Finishes the over with a dot! Bangs the shorter length delivery, angling it away from middle and off, Sunil Narine looks for the ramp but misses out again.

Goes fuller and outside off again, Sunil Narine didn't seem to be anticipating this delivery as he lets this one go through to the keeper.

Hits the deck hard, and drops the length short, over middle and leg, Sunil Narine swivels across and looks for the pull but gets beaten by the lack of pace on it.

FOUR! A freebie for Sunil Narine as he gets off the mark after 8 deliveries! Mohammed Siraj attempts for a wide yorker but lands a juicy full toss outside off, Sunil Narine wacks it through covers for four runs.

And again! Two dots in a row and Sunil Narine is yet to connect one! Siraj bowls this even further outside off on a fuller length and Sunil Narine misses out again.

Comes from over the wicket and bowls this full and outside off stumps line, Sunil Narine with no foot movement looks to reach for it but misses out on any connection.

Pitches this on a good length and into the pads, Phil Salt tucks it to deep mid-wicket region and gets a couple of runs. Another productive over for Kolkata!

FOUR! This is even better. Another fuller length delivery, into middle and leg, Phil Salt takes a couple of steps down to take it on the full and drives it past mid off for another boundary.

FOUR! Top shot! Lands this full and into middle and leg, with some inward movement, Phil Salt makes room to open up the off side and cuts it through point for four runs.

LEG BYES! yet again. Bowls this full and into the pads, cramping Sunil Narine for room as he looks to flick. The ball clips his front leg and goes to the leg side and the batters scamper for a single.

Tries for another yorker, this time attacking the stumps, but lands a very low full toss. Sunil Narine toe ends it to mid on for no run.

Halt! Sunil Narine looks in some pain after getting hit right on the toe. They physio is in to check on him. He is fine to continue for now.

Starts with a perfect delivery! Sunil Narine looks in pain! Steams from over the wicket and bowls the toe-crushing yorker that swings back in late at the front boot of the left-hander. Sunil Narine misses the ball completely and gets hit flush on the boot. That will sting a bit!

Yash Dayal to share the attack.

LEG BYES! Nails the yorker into the pads, around leg, Sunil Narine looks to flick this one but misses. The ball clips his front pad and trickles to the off side and the batters cross again. A good first over for Kolkata as they rack 12 runs off it.

Continues from over the wicket and bowls a fuller delivery, outside off, Sunil Narine holds his bat up and leaves this one alone.

LEG BYES! Hurls this on a hard length and angles it into the right-hander from middle and leg, Phil Salt looks to tuck it away but gets beaten onto his pads. The ball rolls over to the off side and the batters cross for a quick run.

FOUR! In full control this time! A tad shorter in length by Siraj over off, Phil Salt picks the length perfectly whipping it over mid-wicket for four more runs.

SIX! What a way to get off the mark. Not exactly where he intended to but they all count! Mohammed Siraj bowls this on a nagging length and on off, Phil Salt looks for the flick but gets an outside edge that flies over the keeper's head for a maximum.

Starts from over the wicket and hits the deck hard, on a length, outside off, Phil Salt whips it off the inner half of the bat to short mid-wicket.

Andy Flower rings the bell at the Eden Gardens and we are all set to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle followed by the Bengaluru players who spread out to take their respective field positions. Phil Salt and Sunil Narine are the two openers for Kolkata. Virat Kohli jokingly gives the cap to the umpire and marks his run-up but it is not going to be him to bowl the first over. Mohammed Siraj has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Kolkata says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that it looks like the wicket will be a bit slow. Tells that they tried to keep things simple and it is not important how you start but how you end. Mentions that they need to assess the pitch and then bat accordingly to set up a target. Informs they are unchanged.

Faf du Plessis, the skipper of Bengaluru says they will bowl first. Adds that this has been a chasing ground and they look to bat second. Mentions that they were here the previous day at around the same time and the temperature sort of cooled down unlike in Chennai or Bengaluru. States that the teams are batting strongly and 60-70 runs in the powerplay is the new norm and the key will be to take wickets despite the teams scoring. Mentions that Green, Siraj and Karn Sharma come back into the side. Concludes that they as a team have the confidence but need the momentum which is the key.

Impact Players for Kolkata - Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Phil Salt (WK), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer (C), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana.

Impact Players for Bengaluru - Suyash Prabhudessai, Anuj Rawat, Himanshu Sharma, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Swapnil Singh.

Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green (In place of Reece Topley), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma (In place of Saurav Chauhan), Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj (In place of Vijaykumar Vyshak).

TOSS - The coin lands in favour of Faf du Plessis and Bengaluru have elected to BOWL first.

Bengaluru finds itself mired in a dismal start to the season, enduring the bitter taste of defeat in six out of seven encounters, now entrenched in a disheartening five-game losing streak. Each match from here on is akin to a potential knockout, adding immense pressure to every play. Despite Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Dinesh Karthik consistently wielding their batting prowess, the team's bowling department remains a glaring concern. The men in red are yet to strike the right balance in their bowling lineup, a deficiency that severely undermines their prospects for qualification at the season's midpoint. The burden of revival falls heavily on the experienced shoulders of overseas stars, Reece Topley and Lockie Ferguson, tasked with conjuring match-winning spells to reignite the team's dwindling spark. As they seek to break free from their losing streak, Bengaluru will undoubtedly unleash an aggressive onslaught against the hosts. With nothing to lose, they will undoubtedly approach this crucial fixture with unwavering determination, promising yet another riveting chapter in this season's narrative. Will Bengaluru muster the strength to rewrite their story? Or will Kolkata maintain their stronghold over Bengaluru, replicating their previous victory? We shall soon find out as the Toss and team news comes to you in a bit.

Kolkata, having triumphed in their first three encounters, faced setbacks in two of their subsequent three matches, yet find themselves comfortably perched on the third spot of the points table, boasting the most impressive net run rate. Despite a recent stumble, this team radiates resilience and optimism. Their batting lineup, a bastion of strength, has consistently delivered, but it's imperative they maintain their firepower. The bowling unit, experiencing its fair share of highs and lows, will have to reclaim its peak form with lots of expectations riding on the experienced Mitchell Starc going into the second half of the season. With Bengaluru boasting a strong batting order, the onus will be on the shoulders of Kolkata's bowlers to counter the challenge effectively and turn the tide in their favour once again.

Hello and a warm welcome to all the viewers for the first match of this Super Sunday, marking the exciting match number 36 in the pulsating 17th edition of the Indian T20 League! The stage is set for two cricketing titans to lock horns in a highly anticipated clash of the season as Kolkata plays host to Bengaluru at the illustrious Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

... MATCH DAY ...

After 35 games, we are halfway through the league stage of the 17th edition of the Indian T20 League. In match number 36, Kolkata face Bengaluru at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Despite both teams coming off a defeat, Kolkata are comfortably placed in the top half of the standings, whereas Bengaluru find themselves at rock bottom. In their last outing against Rajasthan, Sunil Narine's maiden T20 century powered Kolkata to a formidable total of 223. However, it wasn't enough, as Jos Buttler's heroics took Rajasthan over the line on the last ball. As Kolkata aim to bounce back from that narrow loss, the onus will be on their pace bowling group, consisting of Mitchell Stac, Harshit Rana, and Vaibhav Arora, to step up. Sunil Narine has been exceptional not only with the bat but also with the ball, keeping things reasonably tight. Other players like Phil Salt, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Andre Russell have also made valuable contributions. The Iyers, Venkatesh, and Shreyas would want to kickstart the second half of the league stage with a big score to set them up well for the remainder of the tournament. Varun Chakaravarthy may have had a slow start to the season personally, but he has managed to contain runs effectively. On the other hand, Bengaluru has endured five consecutive winless games, and another loss might extinguish their playoff hopes. In their previous encounter against Hyderabad, Bengaluru fought valiantly while chasing a near-impossible of 288, falling short by 25 runs. Despite the defeat, Faf du Plessis rediscovered his form, and Dinesh Karthik's clean ball-striking was the positive for Bengaluru. While Virat Kohli has been consistent for his team, overreliance on him has contributed to their current position in the competition. With Glenn Maxwell taking a break to focus on his mental health, Rajat Patidar and Will Jacks will need to step up with the bat. Despite changes in the bowling unit, not much improved for Faf du Plessis' side, as they conceded the highest total in Indian T20 League history. The overseas pace duo of Reece Topley and Lockie Ferguson will need to use their experience effectively, while Indian domestic pacers like Yash Dayal and Vijaykumar Vyshak must also deliver. Kolkata have had the wood over Bengaluru, winning 4 of the last 5 encounters. Will they extend their dominance? Or will it be Faf du Plessis and Co. who snap their losing streak? We will find out soon enough.