Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL, 2024, Full Score Card

SIX! THAT'S IT! KOLKATA ARE THROUGH TO THE FINAL! Shreyas Iyer finishes it in a hurry and takes Kolkata to their fourth Indian T20 League final. Travis Head continues to give the ball air but the line is around off, Shreyas Iyer picks it up cleanly and stays low to make the connection. Smashes it over long on and the fielder on the boundary can only watch it sailing over his head. Kolkata cruise home with 6.2 overs to spare and it is all smiles in their camp!

SIX! BOOM! Shreyas Iyer gets to his FIFTY now! The skipper clears the fence effortlessly to get to his half-century. Travis Head lobs it up, a hit-me delivery, full and on the pads, Shreyas Iyer leaves nothing in the tank and tonks it over deep mid-wicket for six more runs. Just 2 runs away now.

13.2: Travis Head to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! That has rocketed to the fence! Floats it up, full and on the pads, Shreyas Iyer presses forward and whips it wide of long on for a boundary. 150 comes up for Kolkata.

SIX! In the arc and out of the park! Loopy delivery, full and right in the arc for the right-hander, Shreyas Iyer needs no second invitation. Springs on the front foot and swipes it with ease over deep square leg for a maximum.

SIX! That is a shot and a half and Venkatesh Iyer brings up another FIFTY in the Indian T20 League. This is bowled a bit short and at the body of the batter, Venky stays deep and backs away before smashing it well over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Kolkata inching closer to the Final now.

Venkatesh Iyer is early to back away, Nitish Kumar Reddy sees this and trakes pace off, bowling it slow and full at the stumps. Venky doesn't get under it and plays it straight to the bowler.

On a good length and angling it into middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer flicks it away wide of deep square leg for one and looks for two but won't get it.

FOUR! Top shot and Shreyas Iyer looks so much in control out there. Banged in way too short and without any sting on it, Shreyas swivels and pulls it behind backward square leg for a boundary.

Comes from around the wicket to the left-hander and floats it up full on the stumps, Venkatesh Iyer clears the front leg to go big but gets it along the ground to long on for a single.

Starts with a slower one from over the stumps, bowling it back of a length and around off, Shreyas Iyer steers it down with soft hands to third man and picks up a single.

Full and around off stump, driven off the toe end of the bat towards mid off.

Flatter on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer works it off the pads and around the corner for a run.

FOUR! That's gone through! Full and just down the leg side, Shreyas Iyer sweeps it fine and T Natarajan dives to his right at short fine leg but the ball sneaks under him and into the fence. Kolkata are cruising to victory here.

Pushed through quicker and flatter on off stump, Venkatesh Iyer goes for the reverse sweep but gets an inside edge into the back leg and the ball goes to the off side. They get a single.

Nicely bowled! Flighted delivery, throws it full and outside off, allowing it to turn, Venkatesh Iyer looks to go over covers but is well beaten.

FOUR! Starts off from around the stumps, bowling it a tad short and wide, Venkatesh Iyer rocks back and cuts it hard behind point for a lovely boundary.

FOUR! Nicely done! Short of a length, banged in around off, Shreyas Iyer leans back and just guides it off the face of the bat down to third man for a boundary.

A direct hit at the keeper's end but Shreyas Iyer is well in. Full and straight from over the stumps, Venkatesh Iyer jams it out to the left of the bowler who gets a hand on it on the follow-through. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth attacks it from mid on and fires in a throw at the keeper's end and the bowler does well to quickly duck under it but the batters get a single.

Bowled into the pitch and angling it across the left-hander from middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer gets a bit cramped and hits it to mid-wicket.

Back of a length, bowled from around the stumps now, Shreyas Iyer dabs it away down to third man and collects a single.

SIX! Adding salt into the wounds and that is a fine shot from Shreyas Iyer. Good length around off and pushed across, Iyer goes to an open stance, staying deep in the crease and he lofts it cleanly over long off for a maximum.

DROPPED! Would you believe it? Travis Head has put down a sitter! Back of a length in the channel around off and angling away, Shreyas Iyer punches it off the back foot and straight into the bread basket of Head at point but he spills an easy chance and it is just not happening for Hyderabad tonight.

SIX! Dispatched with disdain! A hit-me delivery by Viyaskanth as this is way too short, over middle, Venkatesh Iyer rocks on the back foot in a flash and hammers the pull over deep mid-wicket. It goes sailing into the stands for another biggie.

Floats it up, full and around off, Shreyas Iyer leans on it and eases it wide of cover for a single.

Too straight from Viyaskanth, short and sliding on the pads, Shreyas Iyer gets inside the line and tucks it away fine towards fine leg. T Natarajan runs around to his right and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

On the shorter side, Venkatesh Iyer walks down the pitch and eases it to long on for one more.

Tossed up full and on the stumps, Shreyas Iyer stays back in the crease and drills it down to long off for a single.

Oh, dear! Was that off the bat? Definitely! Floated up around off stump, Shreyas Iyer shuffles across to get inside the line and lap it away but the ball goes off the face of the bat and off the keeper's shoulder. The ball lobs away towards square leg but Heinrich Klaasen is alive to the situation and goes after it. Rahul Tripathi also comes in from mid-wicket and both dive in. Klaasen gets to it but the players almost collide and eventually, the ball spills out. A big chance goes begging there.

In the air...but it lands safely! Shreyas Iyer tries to take on the short ball again. This is around middle, Iyer miscues the pull aerially but wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Neatly done! Cummins persists with bowling the heavy ball but ends up offering width this time, Shreyas Iyer waits on it and opens the bat face to glide it to the right of deep third for a boundary.

Digs it in short again does Cummins, Venkatesh Iyer gets tucked up for room but still manages to help it away to fine leg for one.

On a yorker length, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer backs away and squeezes it out to cover.

FOUR! Gap picked to perfection! Cummins rolls his fingers over the ball and goes short, on middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer backs away and loses his shape a bit in the process. Gets it off the bottom part of the bat but gets enough bat to beat deep mid-wicket to his right for a boundary.

Cummins bangs it into the surface, around off, Shreyas Iyer extends his arms and steers it down to deep third for a single.

Short and flat, skidding through, whipped down to wide long on for one by Shreyas Iyer. A maximum followed by four easy singles. 11 runs off Vijayakanth Viyaskanth's first over.

Quicker and shorter, on off, Venkatesh Iyer eases it down to long off for one more run.

Drops it short, on off, Shreyas Iyer gets on the back foot and pushes it wide of cover for a single.

Drags the length back and bowls it around middle, Venkatesh Iyer pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

SIX! MONSTROUS HIT! Vijayakanth Viyaskanth floats it up and dishes it out right in the arc, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer gets down on one knee and picks the bones out of that. Nails the slog sweep way over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Gets away with it! A real rank-hop by Vijayakanth Viyaskanth first up, on middle, Shreyas Iyer gets into the pull shot early and mistimes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Length delivery now, on off, Venkatesh Iyer stays leg side of the ball and dabs it in front of point for a dot.

SIX! Launched down the ground! This is on a good length, on off, Venkatesh Iyer skips down the track and leaves nothing in the tank. Swings through the line and smokes it over long off for half a dozen.

Half a shout for caught behind but turned down! There was a little sound but Hyderabad do not have any reviews remaining even if they wish to send it upstairs. Delivers it a good bumper, over middle, Venkatesh Iyer arches back to ramp it over the keeper but misses and it goes through to the keeper.

Serves it on a shortish length, on off, Shreyas Iyer hops back and dabs it down to deep third for a single to get off the mark.

Skipper, Shreyas Iyer is in at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! A plan comes to fruition for Pat Cummins! Three fielders in the deep on the leg side and Sunil Narine picks out one of them. Cummins digs it in short, over middle, Sunil Narine gets cramped for room slightly but still goes through with the pull shot. Does not get the desired connection and hits it straight down the throat of Vijayakanth Viyaskanth at deep mid-wicket who takes his second catch of the night. Hyderabad will be hoping that one brings two for them here.

EDGED AND FOUR! Just over! Almost a wicket just after the break. Angling across the left-hander, on a good length, wide on off, Sunil Narine throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge that flies over the leaping Heinrich Klaasen and beats a very fine third man to his left for a boundary.

Strategic Break! Well then, Kolkata have got off to a stellar start and now need just 97 runs off 84 deliveries. Hyderabad have picked up a wicket in the Powerplay but would have liked to stem the flow of runs more. A lot will ride on the middle phase and on whether Hyderabad can pick up wickets in a heap or not. Kolkata have a lot of batting to come but would want to not lose momentum by going into their shell. Let's see how the next phase pans out.

Serves it on a fullish length, angling in, on middle, Sunil Narine takes it on the full and drives it down to long on for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Kolkata are 63/1. 9th time this season that Kolkata have gone past 60 in the Powerplay.

FOUR! Not short enough and Narine climbs all over it! This is on a back of a length, over middle, Sunil Narine stays put and splits the gap in front of square on the leg side. Swipes it right in the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.

WIDE! Varies his length again as this is banged into the deck, over middle. However, this sails over the batter's head. Narine ducks and lets it go for a wide.

Nails the yorker this time does Natarajan, on off and middle, Sunil Narine stays leg side of the ball and digs it out to mid off. Four dots on the trot.

Looks to get the yorker in but slips in a low full toss, on the pads, Sunil Narine fails to flick it away and the ball dribbles off his pads on the off side.

Another halt! This time the short ball has hit Sunil Narine on the grill of the helmet and the umpire calls for a mandatory concussion check. Narine looks fine but the physio is out to have a look. All looks fine and we are good to go again.

Ouch, that has come off the helmet! T Natarajan bends his back and directs a sharp and quick bumper, at the batter, Sunil Narine takes his eyes off the ball as swings to get the pull shot away. The ball zips through and pings him on the helmet before it rolls down to short third. Narine gestures to the umpire that he is fine but a mandatory concussion check will follow now.

Halt! It seems like Sunil Narine has an issue with his bat and wants to get it changed. The umpire has a word with Narine and there will be just a slight delay here. The 12th comes out and Narine picks out a new willow and now, the game can continue.

Natarajan pitches it up from over the wicket, on off, too full for Sunil Narine to get underneath it. He squeezes it out to cover for a dot. It seems to have damaged the toe-end of the bat and Narine has asked for a replacement.

Hard length, pushed across from the leg stump line, Venkatesh Iyer is taken aback a bit but manages to jam it down on the off side.

A spicy bumper to follow it up, over leg stump and attacking the batter's body. Venkatesh Iyer ducks under it well.

Top delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Nagging length on off and middle, this one nips away late and zips past the outside edge of Venkatesh Iyer's bat who has a poke at it.

FOUR! Up and over! Full and pushed outside off stump, Venkatesh Iyer comes down the pitch and lofts it over mid off for a boundary. Kolkata seem to be in a hurry here.

FOUR! Nice and full on the pads, another gift and Venkatesh Iyer makes sure to get it fine enough of fine leg to pick up another boundary.

Good length on off stump and slanting across, Venkatesh Iyer gets on the front foot and plays it elegantly towards cover.

Nice and full, aimed in at the toes, Sunil Narine tries to clear the front leg and flick but plays over it and gets it on the pads.

A good short ball, bowled at pace and banged in outside off at a good height. The ball goes away after pitching and Sunil Narine is beaten all ends up while looking to pull.

Leg bye! Hard length around middle and angled in, Venkatesh Iyer gets cramped up and the ball smashes into the front pad before rolling in front of square leg. They pick up a leg bye.

FOUR! What a gift to get first ball and Venkatesh Iyer is off the mark. Too full and angled down the leg side, Iyer flicks it away fine and the ball races away to the fine leg fence.

Venkatesh Iyer is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to cover and Rahmanullah Gurbaz right away grunted 'No' as the ball came off his bat. T Natarajan bowls this one into the pitch and angles it across the right-hander again. Gurbaz charges down the track, staying leg side of the ball and looks to smash it through covers. However, he ends up slicing it flat off the toe end and straight to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth at covers who takes a sharp catch around his face and Hyderabad have their first wicket.

Starts from over the wicket and angles it right across the right-hander on a good length, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away to cut but is beaten past the outside edge.

T Natarajan comes into the attack as the first change.

Full and aimed at the toes, Sunil Narine clears the front leg and drills it wide of long on for a couple of more runs. 18 off that over and Kolkata are off to a flier.

Slower delivery, full and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away and taps it behind point for a single.

FOUR! Fractionally short and over the stumps, Rahmanullah Gurbaz just gets across a bit and swats it away without great timing but more than enough to clear wide mid on and pick up another boundary.

SIX! It's like Phil Salt never left and Rahmanullah Gurbaz is making full use of this opportunity. This is the knuckle-ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a bit into the pitch and Gurbaz just charges down the track and whacks it a long way over wide long on for a biggie.

Full and straight, right in the blockhole, jammed down to long on for a single.

NOT OUT! Wow, Hyderabad have burned out both their reviews inside the first three overs and are a bit unlucky to have conceded four leg byes off both those balls too. Very full and around leg stump, shaping back into the left-hander, Sunil Narine clears the front leg to swing across the line but misses and the ball goes off the pads and past off stump into the third man fence. Bhuvneshwar Kumar reckons this is out and takes the review but Ball Tracking shows that the ball was pitching outside leg stump.

Back of a length and around off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dabs it down to backward point. 20 off the over!

Another shout for LBW and the third umpire is called into action again by Hyderabad. Sunil Narine seems to have been trapped right in front of the stumps but what looks to have saved him there is the ball's pitching. Bhuvneshwar Kumar looks confident but the Ball Tracking has rolled in and it shows the ball to pitching just outside leg. Hyderabad have lost both their reviews inside the first three overs.

WIDE! Short of a length and angled down the leg side for a wide.

SIX! Off the edge but goes all the way and Pat Cummins is going the distance here with the new ball. Good length outside off, quicker too, Rahmanullah Gurbaz comes down the pitch to whack it down the ground but the ball flies off the outside edge and goes over the third man fence.

NOT OUT! Risky business from Rahmanullah Gurbaz but he gets away with it. Pat Cummins comes from slightly wider of the crease and angles it in a long way from around off and middle stump, Gurbaz walks right across the off stump and misses the flick. The ball goes off the pads and past the diving keeper for a boundary. Half an appeal for LBW and eventually, Cummins does review it. No spike on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows that it would have missed leg stump, so, just four leg byes.

Is that out? An appeal for LBW has been sent upstairs by Hyderabad. Rahmanullah Gurbaz had walked right across his stumps to glance it away fine but missed and got hit near the thigh pad. The angle seemed to be taking it down leg. And yes, it is indeed missing leg on Ball Tracking.

Much better length from Pat Cummins as this is dug in short and right around the rib cage. Sunil Narine gets cramped for room and miscues the pull off the top edge but the ball lands safely over square leg. They get a single.

FOUR! Two in a row from Sunil Narine and he is in 6th gear already. Too full again, this time on the leg peg, Narine clears the front leg again and hammers it through mid-wicket for another boundary.

FOUR! Just over! Overpitched from Pat Cummins, around off and angling back in, Sunil Narine just clears the front leg and swats it flat over mid off for a boundary to get off the mark.

Who will operate from the other end? It will be the Hyderabad skipper, Pat Cummins.

Top shot for no run! Full and swinging away from the off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays a stylish cover drive off the front foot and nails it but hits it straight to covers.

Hard length again and around off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays it away into the gap at cover-point and gets back for the second run.

Straight off the keeper's gloves and into the hands of Abdul Samad at first slip. Pitched up outside off, seaming away, Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses the cover drive and the ball flicks the outside off Heinrich Klaasen's gloves who is standing up to the stumps.

Hard length around the off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays on the front foot and taps it back to the bowler.

FOUR! A beauty of a shot to get going from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Full again and outside off stump, Gurbaz just leans into the drive and creams it through covers for a boundary. Kolkata are up and running!

Good start from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Nice and full around off stump, a bit of shape on the one as well, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to come forward and negate the swing but has to jam it out on the leg side.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's it, Hyderabad have been bowled out inside their 20 overs! Andre Russell strides in and bowls a heavy ball, into the pitch and pushes it slightly wide of the off stump. Pat Cummins stays put and just goes after it and has to really reach for it. The ball goes up in the air off the toe end of the bat and comes just around the silly point region. The keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz calls for it and pouches it safely. Cummins departs after a fine cameo and Hyderabad are all out for 159 runs.

Full and in the blockhole outside off, Pat Cummins jams it out on the off side for a dot.

Wow, that is cheeky from Pat Cummins but the throw from the deep was sloppy too. Banged in short and wide, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth hops and slaps it away over the point region. Harshit Rana gets across from third man and sees the batters settling for two and just under-arms the throw. Cummins sees this and just goes for the third run, getting it with ease as well.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Andre Russell (1-0-12-0).

FOUR! No luck involved there and that is brilliant from Pat Cummins. Full and quick, looking for the blockhole outside off, Cummins stays deep in the crease and opens the bat face late before slashing it away between backward point and short third for a boundary.

SIX! Not in control but the result is positive for Pat Cummins and that brings up the 150 for Hyderabad. Short of a length, banged in towards the body and Pat just looks to go after it but the ball flies off the top edge and goes all the way over the keeper's head for a maximum.

Full and outside off at almost 141 clicks, Pat Cummins backs away and gives it the big wind up only to almost chop it back onto the stumps but luckily for him, the ball rolls past the stumps and behind to the keeper.

Well negotiated! A short ball aimed right at the chest, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth does well to hop and fend it down to third man for a single.

Bowled back of a length and into the pitch over off stump, Pat Cummins mistimes the pull towards wide long on and picks up a single.

Almost the hat-trick but Pat Cummins survives! Mitchell Starc comes from around the stumps and hurls across a very full ball at the off stump, Pat backs away to squeeze it out but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Mitchell Starc (3-0-22-3) comes back into the attack. Remember, he is on a hat-trick.

Floated up full and outside off, Pat Cummins leans on and strokes it through covers for one more. 11 off the over, a much-needed one for Hyderabad.

Half an appeal for LBW from the keeper and nothing more. Drifting in from outside off stump, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth nudges it away off the inside edge and the ball goes off the pads behind square leg for a single.

Goes on the bounce! Floated up around off, Pat Cummins gets across the off stump and sweeps it hard and flat to deep backward square leg for one more.

Tossed up around off stump, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth gets on the front foot and shows the full face of the bat before just pushing it down to long off for a run.

Flighted up on the stumps, slogged away off the inner half of the bat to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! Oh, hello! Just a fraction short around off stump, Pat Cummins is caught in two minds at first but clears his head and brings out the reverse flick and sends the ball over the third man fence for a maximum.

Slower one, pitched up on off stump, Pat Cummins backs away again and just bunts it wide of short third for a single.

FOUR! Excellent placement! Back of a length and outside off stump, Pat Cummins backs away a bit and just uses the pace to guide the ball off the face of the bat behind backward point for a boundary.

Full and outside off stump, pace on too, hit away off the outer half of the bat wide of third man for a single by Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.

Another slower delivery, bowled fuller and around off, Pat Cummins shapes up for the big hit but adjusts well to just dab it towards short third for a single.

Another swing and a miss! Another slower delivery, this is bowled on middle and on a fuller length again. Pat Cummins swings across the line and misses and the ball loops over the stumps.

Oh, that was almost it! Slower one, pitched up around middle and angling in, Pat Cummins backs away to go across the line but is comprehensively beaten and the ball just misses the leg stump.

Vijayakanth Viyaskanth is the last man in.

OUT! LBW! Looks dead straight and the finger goes up! This seemed like the slider that is bowled straight and on a tad fuller length. The ball comes back in with the angle and Bhuvneshwar Kumar completely plays over it and gets hit in front of the stumps. Bhuvi does review it but there's no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows the wickets as umpire's call and the onfield call will stand. Varun Chakaravarthy gets his second wicket and Hyderabad are on the verge of being bowled out here.

Half an appeal for LBW but the impact seems outside off. Floated up full and outside off, turning back in, Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets his front foot across to block but misses and gets hit flush on the pads.

Just short! Flatter one on the stumps, Pat Cummins slogs it away flat towards long on where Venkatesh Iyer doesn't quite pick it up and tries to take it on the bounce. The ball hits him in the groin region as the batters get a run.

Bowled quick and flat outside off stump, Pat Cummins leaves it alone.

Nagging length around off stump, Pat Cummins dabs it down to first slip.

A big heave across the line but it comes to nothing. Flighted delivery, drifted into the stumps, Pat Cummins clears the front leg to go big but gets a big inside edge onto the back leg.

Lands it on a back of a length, on middle, Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets on his toes and stabs it down the deck. End of a wicket-taking over from Rana.

At pace and this is on a hard length, outside off, Bhuvneshwar Kumar pokes at the delivery and connects with thin air.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the new man in.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Another one bites the dust! Harshit Rana strikes on his return to the attack and Hyderabad slip further. Rana takes pace off and bowls it on a good length, around off, Abdul Samad walks down the track but gives himself a bit too much room. He has to reach out and does not manage to pick the change of pace. Ends up hitting it flat and straight down the throat of long off where Shreyas Iyer takes it to his right in front of the Hyderabad dugout.

Sees the batter back away and follows him with a back-of-a-length delivery, Pat Cummins nudges it down to long on for a single.

Rolls his fingers over the ball, on a good length, around off, Abdul Samad drives it on the up towards deep cover for a single.

Play and a miss! Harshit hits the deck hard and bowls it in the channel on off, Abdul Samad frees his arms to go hard on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Bowls it flat and short, quick as well, Pat Cummins tries to dab it away on the off side but misses.

This is on a nagging length, on off, Pat Cummins covers the line of the ball and blocks it out with a straight bat.

Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Pat Cummins presses forward to get his bat out in front of the pads. Gets an inside edge that rolls wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Skipper, Pat Cummins walks in with his team in a spot of real bother.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! The Impact Player departs for a golden duck! Kolkata are all over Hyderabad here! Narine tosses it up and bowls it on a good length, on off, Sanvir Singh tries to get on the front foot but the ball is not that full for him to be able to smother the spin of the ball turning into him. Sanvir leaves a big gap between bat and pad and it sneaks past the inside edge to crash into the stumps.

Sanvir Singh is the next batter in for Hyderabad and he comes in as the Impact Player. Sanvir replaces Abhishek Sharma in the lineup.

OUT! RUN OUT! No no no, an absolute disaster for Hyderabad! Brilliant piece of fielding by Andre Russell and it had to take something special to get rid of Rahul Tripathi. Narine shortens his length and fires it in as well, outside off, Abdul Samad reaches out and cuts it fiercely towards backward point. Andre Russell dives to his left quickly and turns around in one motion while being on the floor. Releases an accurate throw towards the keeper and at that stage, Abdul Samad has set off for the run as has Rahul Tripathi. Tripathi is running towards the danger end and he does not make it. The batters stutter in the middle and that has caught Tripathi way short of his crease as Rahmanullah Gurbaz collects the throw and does the rest.

SIX! Abdul Samad goes big again and this has gone many a mile! Turning into the right-hander, on a length, Abdul Samad puts the dancing shoes on and hits it with the turn. It goes way beyond the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Strategic Break! Well, this has been a brilliant recovery from Hyderabad or at least it was till Rahul Tripathi and Heinrich Klaasen were batting together but now that Varun Chakaravarthy has seen the back of Klaasen, Hyderabad need to be a bit cautious. There are still 7 overs to go which is about one-third of the innings and Kolkata will feel a couple of more wickets will get the job done for them in order to restrict the opposition to under 180. Let's see if Hyderabad can conjure up a miraculous recovery or not.

'Catch it' is the call but Mitchell Starc opts to save the boundary rather than going for the catch. Varun offers flight and tempts the batter into a big shot. Full and on off, Abdul Samad has a hack across the line. It comes off the inner half of the bat and it goes flat towards long on. Mitchell Starc sprints across to his right and collects it on the bounce. They cross.

Gives the ball air but bowls it full, on off, Rahul Tripathi walks down the track and knocks it down to long off for one.

Quicker but the length stays short, on off, Rahul Tripathi dabs it off the back foot to backward point.

Drags the length back and bowls it around middle, Abdul Samad works it with the turn as he goes on the back foot and plays it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Almost ran past him! Abdul Samad premeditates as he skips down the track but it comes out as a low full toss, on off, Abdul Samad reaches out to go through the off side. Gets an outside edge that rolls to short third.

Angling in, short and on middle, Rahul Tripathi works it from the crease to deep mid-wicket for one.

WIDE! Drifts down leg does Varun Chakaravarthy, Rahul Tripathi gets inside the line and lets it go for a wide.

This is a bit short and around middle, Rahul Tripathi gets on top of the bounce and whips it through mid-wicket to keep strike with a single.

Strays on the pads, on a length, Abdul Samad clips it in front of square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

Turning into the batter, on a nagging length again, Abdul Samad does not have much room to work it and can only defend it back to the bowler.

A bit quicker this time, at the stumps, on a nagging length, Abdul Samad covers the line of the ball and stabs it down the deck.

SIX! BANG! Abdul Samad needs no sighters! This is right in the slot, on off, Abdul Samad swings through the line and tonks it over wide long on for a biggie.

Full and sliding on with the angle, on middle, Rahul Tripathi nudges it to the right of the bowler and Narine seems to have it covered but fumbles and concedes a single.

Abdul Samad is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Instant impact for Varun Chakaravarthy! Strikes in his first over and it is the big wicket of Heinrich Klaasen just when he was starting to change gears. Loops it up nicely and keeps the length full, around middle and leg, it is there in the arc for Heinrich Klaasen and he goes for a swipe across the line. He gets more height on it than the distance and it goes only as far as deep mid-wicket where Rinku Singh runs to his right and takes a safe catch.

Tosses it up, full and on middle, Rahul Tripathi flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Expertly played and that brings up FIFTY for Rahul Tripathi! Intent has been on Tripathi's mind right from ball one and he is playing an invaluable knock here to dig Hyderabad out of a hole. Pushes it through, on a good length, on off, Rahul Tripathi pulls out the reverse sweep and hits it to the left of backward point for a boundary.

Pulls his length back slightly and bowls it on off, Heinrich Klaasen rocks on the back foot and punches it to deep cover for one.

Slower through the air and bowls it a bit fuller, on off, Rahul Tripathi drives it square to deep point for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy nails the yorker and gives away nothing on the Free Hit. This is around middle and leg, Rahul Tripathi gets his bat dow and can only jam it out to the right of the bowler.

NO BALL! Oops! A false start for Varun Chakaravarthy! Pushes it through first up, at 94.6 kph, on a length, on middle, Heinrich Klaasen tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. Free Hit coming up.

Back of a length and over the stumps, played away off the back foot down to long on for one.

In the air but lands in a vast vacant region. Short again but this is a much heavier delivery and bowled at the batter, Rahul Tripathi gets rushed into the pull and miscues it around mid on for one more.

FOUR! Too short again and Rahul Tripathi is a master craftsman. Banged in well short and around off, Tripathi gets on his toes and just ramps it easily over the first slip region and into the fence.

Short again and around off, hit away off the back foot square through covers for a single.

FOUR! Heinrich Klaasen has really taken matters into his own hands here. Banged in short and wide, Klaasen is waiting for it and he slashes it up and over backward point for a one-bounce boundary.

Full and straight to begin with, Rahul Tripathi stays in the crease and whips the shot along the turf to long on for a run.

FOUR! 18 off the over and Hyderabad's innings has started to get out of second gear. Quick and flat around off, enough room for Heinrich Klaasen to rock back and smash the ball wide of long off for another boundary.

SIX! Straight up and over the ropes! For a while, it seemed to be going straight to Andre Russell at long off but eventually, it sailed over. Good length on off stump, Heinrich Klaasen stands tall and just nonchalantly lofts it over long off for a maximum.

Fractionally short and quick at 100 KPH around off, Heinrich Klaasen backs away and hits it wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Quite full and straight, swept away nicely to deep square leg for a single by Tripathi.

FOUR! Another calculated risk taken by Rahul Tripathi and again, it comes off. Slightly fuller and around middle, Tripathi gets across and inside the line of the ball before lapping it over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Bowled a touch shorter and angled into the leg stump, Heinrich Klaasen stays back and tucks it down through mid-wicket for a single.

Strategic break! It has been just the start Kolkata would have hoped for, with Mitchell Starc being the wrecker-in-chief with three scalps. As they have done all season, we might soon see spin introduced from both ends in this middle phase as Kolkata continue their hunt for more wickets. Not only does Hyderabad need a partnership here, but they also need to ensure that the scorecard keeps ticking, and the onus will be on Rahul Tripathi, who is looking good and has batted with intent so far.

Slower one, bowled full and at the stumps, Heinrich Klaasen gets on the front foot and firms it down to long on for a single.

Hard length in and around off stump, played away on the off side for an easy single.

SIX! Nicely done and that has gone all the way! Too short again and around off stump, Rahul Tripathi picks the length early and waits for it before ramping it back over the keeper's head for a maximum.

WIDE! Banged in way too short and outside off, this one moves away as well but is called a wide for height.

Back of a length and outside off stump, cut away in front of point for another single by Heinrich Klaasen.

Rahul Tripathi trying to toy with the bowler's mind but just the single comes off it. Tripathi shuffles around to the off side before backing away and Harshit Rana bowls it slower outside the off stump. Tripathi reaches it and slices the ball wide of third man for a run.

Short of a length and dug in over middle stump, Heinrich Klaasen stays compact and just clubs the ball flat down to long on for a single.

Tidy start from Sunil Narine, just 5 singles off it. Flighted up a bit on a nagging length and at the stumps, Heinrich Klaasen stays in the crease and punches it firmly back past the bowler for a run.

Short around middle and angling in, Rahul Tripathi works it away off the back foot and in front of square leg for one more.

Slightly fuller on middle and going the other way, Heinrich Klaasen watches it well and just pats it through mid off for a single.

Keeps the length a bit short and bowls it around off, the ball doesn't quite come on and Heinrich Klaasen punches it back to the bowler.

On a dragged length and outside off, Rahul Tripathi waits well on the back foot and just dabs it away to short third for one.

Flatter to begin with and bowls it on the pads first up, Heinrich Klaasen nudges it around the corner for a single.

Rana hits the deck hard and bowls it around off, Heinrich Klaasen hops back and rides the bounce to steer it down to deep third for a single.

Oh, that was a steepler! Banged in halfway down the track and around off stump, the ball shoots off the deck and Heinrich Klaasen does well to get out of the way.

Good length, trying to angle it in from outside off, Heinrich Klaasen gets on the front foot and punches it straight to covers.

FOUR! Slashes and slashes hard! Back of a length again and outside off, no foot movement from Heinrich Klaasen and he just throws his hands at it. The ball flies off the outside edge and goes fine of third man for a boundary.

Slightly back of a length and outside off, Rahul Tripathi waits back and taps it away past point for a single.

Starts from over the wicket and gets it right on the money! Good length around the top of off and middle, Rahul Tripathi watchfully defends it out.

Heinrich Klaasen is the new man in. Also, Harshit Rana comes into the attack.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! TWO IN TWO FOR STARC! Kolkata just could not have asked for a better start. Third wicket of the night for Starc and Hyderabad are in all sorts of trouble here. No foot movement whatsoever from Shahbaz Ahmed and he pays the ultimate price. This is on a back of a length, in the channel on off, Shahbaz Ahmed has a loose poke at the delivery away from his body. He looks to play it with an angled bat and the ball catches the inside edge and goes on to disturb the woodwork. Starc will be on a hat-trick at the start of his next over.

Shahbaz Ahmed has been sent in at number 5.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! The move to give Mitchell Starc the third over in his opening spell has worked for Shreyas Iyer and Kolkata. Nitish Kumar Reddy tries to take on Starc again but it does not quite come off for him this time. Starc dishes it out on a back of a length, on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy waits on it and looks to pull it away off the front foot. Skies it off the top edge of the bat and it goes behind the wicket. The keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz runs towards backward short leg and completes the catch with ease.

Drags his length back and serves it top of off, Nitish Kumar Reddy gets on his toes and punches it sweetly to backward point.

At 146.4 kph, on a length and attacking the stumps, Rahul Tripathi hurriedly swipes it through square leg for a single.

Slanting in from around the wicket, on a length, around off, Nitish Kumar Reddy chops it beside the pitch on the off side and gets to the other end.

FOUR! Shot! Hit with real authority! Starc serves it on a length with a scrambled seam and offers width on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy throws his hands at it and flays it over covers for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to continue and bowl his third over on the trot...

Quick single taken! Angling in, at the hips, on a back of a length, Nitish Kumar Reddy turns this one to the left of mid-wicket and scampers across for a single. The throw does not hit the stumps at the bowling end but it won't have mattered anyway as Reddy was in by then.

WIDE! Errs in line does Arora as he slips it beyond the wide guide line on off, on a good length, Nitish Kumar Reddy initially looks to go after it but changes his mind and leaves it alone.

Strays on the pads, on a back of a length, Nitish Kumar Reddy hangs back and nudges it in front of square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Sees the batter make an early shuffle towards the off side but Arora holds his line and length, on middle and leg, on a good length, Rahul Tripathi backs away eventually and nudges it in front of mid on for a single.

Well bowled! Bends his back and bangs it in short, over middle, Rahul Tripathi goes for the pull but the ball sails over his bat.

NO BALL AND FOUR! Oh, no! Vaibhav Arora has overstepped! Swinging back into the stumps, on a length, Rahul Tripathi works it with the swing as he flicks it up and over mid-wicket for a boundary. Free Hit to follow now.

Shaping back into the right-hander, on a hard length, on off, Rahul Tripathi gets tucked up for room and defends it on the off side.

This is on a length, on off, Rahul Tripathi skips down the track to go back over the bowler's head. Does not get hold of it but gets it away from mid off and collects a couple of runs.

On a back of a length, around off, Nitish Kumar Reddy gets on top of the bounce and pushes it to point. End of another probing over from Starc.

Serves it on a short of a length, outside off, Nitish Kumar Reddy is happy to leave the ball alone.

A big, big shout for LBW but turned down! An absolute snorter but Rahul Tripathi did enough to jam it out? Or did he? Oh, dear! Kolkata have missed a big opportunity by not reviewing it. Starc serves a toe-crushing yorker, at the base of the leg-stump, Rahul Tripathi is late to get his bat down and the replays show that the ball brushed his front toe before making contact with the bat. The ball rolls away behind square on the leg side and the batters cross. And guess what, it is three reds on Ball Tracking.

FOUR! Risky but Rahul Tripathi gets the reward! Bowls it on a short of a good length, over middle, Rahul Tripathi walks across his stumps nice and early and looks to scoop it over the keeper. The ball gets slightly big on him and it comes off the gloves. Luckily for him, the ball evades the diving Rahmanullah Gurbaz to his left for a boundary.

Much better from Starc, attacking the stumps, on a fuller length, length, Nitish Kumar Reddy digs it out to the left of mid-wicket and takes a single.

WIDE! Loses his radar does Starc in his quest to go searching for the swing, Nitish Kumar Reddy misses the tickle. Wide given.

Starc persists with the full length and serves it on off, Rahul Tripathi drives it wide of mid off and calls Nitish Kumar Reddy through for a quick single.

Oh...extra bounce on that occasion! Delivers it around the off-stump line, on a good length, Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to keep this one out on the off side but gets taken aback by the extra bounce but does well to negotiate the extra bounce and dabs it down on the off side.

Nitish Kumar Reddy walks into a precarious situation at number 4.

OUT! EXPERTLY HELD! Andre Russell is safe as house and the start gets even better for Kolkata. Both Hyderabad openers back in the hut inside the first two overs. Arora stays around the wicket and goes full this time, shaping away, outside off, Abhishek Sharma's weight stays on the back foot and stays rooted in the crease as he looks to get it over the in-field on the off side. He is unable to transfer his weight and this comes off the toe-end of the bat. It goes aerially towards cover where Andre Russell times the jump to pererction and takes it with both hands over his head.

Honing in at the stumps, on a good length from around the wicket, Abhishek Sharma covers the line of the ball and stabs it to point.

Gets a good inward shape and hits the hard length, top of off, Rahul Tripathi waits on the back foot and dabs it wide of backward point for a single.

Much straighter this time, on a back of a length, on off, Abhishek Sharma cuts it late towards deep backward point for a single.

WIDE! Bowls it into the deck but slips way outside the wide guideline on off, Abhishek Sharma shimmies down the track but lets it go for a wide.

Starts off on a length, angling away, on off, Abhishek Sharma hangs back and cuts it to the left of deep backward point for a couple of runs. Abhishek Sharma is away!

Vaibhav Arora to bowl from the other end.

FOUR! Aerial but it sails over! End of an eventful but successful first over from Starc. Keeps it full, on off, Rahul Tripathi stays leg side of the ball and carves it hard towards cover-point. Sunil Narine leaps but the ball flies over his head before he can get his hands in the right position.

Pitches it up in the channel on off, Rahul Tripathi watchfully leaves the ball alone for the keeper to collect.

FOUR! A misfield and Rahul Tripathi and Hyderabad are away! Lands it on a fullish length, on off, Rahul Tripathi gets his bat down and jams it out towards backward point where Ramandeep Singh fails to get his body behind the ball. The ball races past his right knee for a boundary. Starc is crossed with Ramandeep for the effort there.

Nearly two in two for Mitchell Starc! Gets the ball to tail back in, on a length, around the off-stump line, Rahul Tripathi gets half-forward as he looks to keep it out. Does enough to adjust to the inward movement and gets his bat out in front of the pads to defend it on the off side.

Rahul Tripathi walks in early at number 3.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Cometh the big game, cometh Mitchell Starc! Starc wins the battle of the Aussies and it is a second consecutive duck for Travis Head. Goes full yet again and attacks the stumps this time, on off and middle, Travis Head clears his front leg and crouches a bit as he shapes up to thrash it down the ground. Does not move his feet much and extends his arms to go through the shot. It tails back in a touch and sneaks past the inside edge to rattle into the stumps. Kolkata land the first punch in this big game.

Action straightaway! A mix-up on the first ball but no harm done. Mitchell Starc steams in from over the wicet and dishes it out on a fullish length, shaping away, on off, Travis Head squeezes it out to cover. Abhishek Sharma sets off for the run but gets sent back. Shreyas Iyer hurls in a throw at the bowling end but fails to hit the target.

All in readiness for this crunch encounter to begin! The two umpires are the first ones to make their way out in the middle. Out come the Kolkata players next striding through the fireworks and taking their places on the field. Finally, the explosive duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma also make their way through the fireworks and will open the innings for Hyderabad. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and he is raring to go on the big stage. One slip in place as well, let's play...

Andre Russell is in for a chat. He says that it is a good feeling to make it to the playoffs, and the team has been having a tremendous season. Hopes that they can continue playing good cricket. Shares that they are focused despite the previous two games being washed out and are ready to play some cricket. He mentions that he has been hitting the ball well but feels that he missed out in a couple of innings where he could have pushed the score further. He adds that the balance in the team gives him the confidence to go out there and play his shots. States that he is ready to roll his arm over whenever the captain needs him. When asked about the plans for the Hyderabad batters, he replies that the team has done homework on them, but the key will be to keep things simple.

The captain of Kolkata, Shreyas Iyer says that they were looking to bowl first so they got what they wanted. Feels that it is better to have a fair idea of how the wicket is playing in a crucial game and therefore, they wanted to bowl first. Shares that it is a mixed-soil pitch and wants to see how the wicket behaves. Feels that the break they got due to the last two games being washed out was a good one and it gave them the chance to introspect. Adds that it is important to stay in the present and take one game at a time. Ends by informing that they are going with the same team as the last game.

Pat Cummins, the skipper of Hyderabad says that they will bat first. Adds that the wicket looks good and there is enough grass on it, so, it should be a high-scoring contest. Mentions that the boys are excited to be back in the playoffs and yesterday was a travel day for them but they feel refreshed. Ends by informing that they have pretty much the same team from the last game.

Impact players nominated by Hyderabad - Umran Malik, Sanvir Singh, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Jaydev Unadkat.

Hyderabad (Playing XI) - Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (C), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, T Natarajan.

Impact players nominated by Kolkata - Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Nitish Rana, KS Bharat, Sherfane Rutherford.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.

TOSS - Pat Cummins wins the flip of the coin and Hyderabad have opted to BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop is near the deck. He says that it is very hot here in Ahmedabad, but the outfield is very lush. Informs that the square boundaries are equidistant, 63 metres each, with the straight boundary being 70 metres long. Matthew Hayden joins him and says that it looks like a very dry wicket but feels that the good-length areas might have a bit of moisture. Adds that the middle part of the surface is quite dry, and bowlers taking pace off will be the ones to watch out for. Opines that the power-hitters will have a major role to play. Concludes that it is a batting wicket and that there will not be much spin on offer. Bishop ends by saying that because of the heat, there won't be much dew.

In the orange corner stand Hyderabad, a team that has undergone a remarkable transformation from being the wooden spoon holders of the previous season to becoming serious contenders. Engaged in a fierce battle for the coveted second spot, Hyderabad managed to clinch a top-two finish as Rajasthan faded away in the latter stages of the league. Their journey to success has been marked by a fearless brand of cricket, with either Travis Head or Abhishek Sharma, and often both, consistently setting the stage for victory. While Nitish Kumar Reddy has displayed flashes of potential, the return to form of Heinrich Klaasen in the last league stage game bodes well for Hyderabad heading into the playoffs. The pace trio of Pat Cummins, T Natarajan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been instrumental in their success. Both teams have demonstrated their potential to go the distance, but maintaining their league-stage form in the playoffs will present challenges. Who will punch their ticket to the final? Join us for the ride to find out.

Fighting out of the purple corner, Kolkata surged to the forefront as early pacesetters in the season and maintained their momentum throughout to finish as the table-toppers. After missing the playoffs for the past couple of seasons, Shreyas Iyer's team has been on a mission to clinch their third Indian T20 League title. However, their momentum might be in question with their last two games washed out. Sunil Narine has had a stellar season with the bat, but the departure of his opening partner, Phil Salt, could impact the southpaw. In Salt's absence, the Iyers, Venkatesh, and Shreyas become crucial. While Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy have excelled with the ball, Kolkata's success against Hyderabad hinges on collective performances from the likes of Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, and Vaibhav Arora.

Hello and a warm welcome, folks! The playoffs of the 2024 Indian T20 League kick off with a bang as we witness Qualifier 1 between Kolkata and Hyderabad at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The stakes couldn't be higher, with a direct ticket to the final up for grabs for the victor, while the defeated team gets another chance in Qualifier 2. Both teams have shown remarkable form throughout the league stage, and it's now time for them to bring their A-game to the playoffs.

... MATCH DAY ...

After enduring a hard-fought journey spanning 70 intense games, the Indian T20 League now directs its spotlight towards the apex of competition, The Playoffs! As anticipation swells, let's brace ourselves for the Qualifier 1 which promises to be a riveting showdown, featuring two teams celebrated for their thunderous power-striking prowess. This highly awaited clash pits Kolkata against Hyderabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, in a high-stakes battle, each vying for a coveted spot in the grand finale of the 2024 season. Kolkata emerges as a frontrunner, having displayed unwavering consistency throughout the tournament. Topping the group stages with a mere three defeats in 14 encounters, they've firmly established themselves as the team to beat this season. However, standing in their path is a resurgent Hyderabad outfit, defying odds and expectations after lacklustre showings in previous seasons. Hyderabad's resurgence, propelled by an aggressive all-or-nothing approach, saw them clinch the second spot with eight wins out of 14 games. Much of their success can be attributed to the leadership of Pat Cummins, whose inaugural stint as captain has been nothing short of remarkable. Kolkata's unfortunate brush with two consecutive washed-out games to conclude the group stages might have disrupted their momentum slightly. However, given the soaring confidence they've been riding on, such setbacks are unlikely to significantly sway their determination. The absence of Phil Salt, who, alongside Sunil Narine, often provided Kolkata with explosive starts, leaves a notable gap at the top order, making it intriguing to observe how the team adjusts and fills his void. The middle order has remained a bastion of consistency, with the Iyer duo consistently making impactful contributions. Yet, Kolkata's focus heading into the playoffs will undoubtedly hone in on refining their bowling unit, which, despite flashes of brilliance, hasn't consistently hit its stride. However, the resurgence of the spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine has injected newfound vigour into Kolkata's bowling attack. Hyderabad, on the flip side, has heavily relied on its formidable batting arsenal, which has consistently delivered stellar performances regardless of the circumstances. The team has shattered numerous high-scoring records, signalling its intent to maintain its aggressive approach without compromise. At the helm of this batting juggernaut, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have emerged as pivotal figures, providing the team with vital impetus and a solid foundation upon which the explosive middle-order thrives. Additionally, Heinrich Klaasen has unleashed his destructive prowess on several occasions and will be a player to watch out for. While Hyderabad's batting prowess has been the talk of the town, their bowling contingent, spearheaded by Pat Cummins, has also left a lasting impression. The resurgence of seasoned campaigner Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been instrumental in the team's success. This impending clash in Qualifier 1 between the two titans of the season boasting formidable batting line-ups, promises a showdown filled with fireworks and flair. The last time these two sides met, Kolkata emerged triumphant! Can they replicate their success and be the first team to get through to the final? Or will Hyderabad maintain their winning momentum and show Kolkata the way to Qualifier 2? We shall soon find out!