IPL 2024 Match 10, RCB VS KKR: Live Ball by Ball Commentary

We are back for the second essay. The two umpires make their way out to the middle as do the players of Bengaluru. It will be Phil Salt and Sunil Narine to open the innings for Kolkata. Vijaykumar Vyshak comes in as the Impact Player for Bengaluru, replacing Dinesh Karthik. Mohammed Siraj will start with the new ball for the hosts. Let's play…

… THE RUN CHASE …

Right then, Bengaluru will be happy with where they are at this stage in the game, given that it is not a traditional Bengaluru wicket and batting is not as easy as Virat Kohli made it look. Taking pace off will be the key for the Bengaluru pacers and it will be interesting to see how they go about their business. As for Kolkata, they will be confident enough to gun down this total and they have the batting firepower to gun down this total. Join us in a bit to see how the chase unfolds.

Cam Green says that they are happy with the total. Shares that the off-cutter is working on the pitch. Adds that he loves playing at number 3 and it gives him more freedom. Says that batting with Virat Kohli is amazing and his insights are helpful. Ends by saying that Kolkata summed-up the conditions well and now their bowlers will have to do the job to get past the winning line.

As for Kolkata, they would not be too disappointed, given the kind of Powerplay Bengaluru had. It did not start well for Kolkata as they went for 61 runs with the solitary wicket of Faf du Plessis. The ease in field restrictions allowed them to pull it back a bit but Kohli continued to put them under pressure. Dropping Glenn Maxwell twice did not help their cause one bit but playing in his 500th T20 game, Sunil Narine was able to nip him in the bud. The dismissal of Maxwell started a fightback for Kolkata where Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana and Andre Russell took pace off and did not allow the Bengaluru batters the pace to work with. However, Starc and Russell were not able to finish strongly, allowing Bengaluru to go past 180.

Bengaluru finish on a high thanks to the late flourish by Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik! 29 runs came off the last two overs and it has taken Bengaluru to 182. After being put into bat, the hosts were dealt an early blow in the form of Faf du Plessis. Virat Kohli got going quickly and ensured a good Powerplay for his side with support from Cameron Green. After the departure of Green, the partnership slowed up a bit but Kohli kept going and held the innings together. Glenn Maxwell had a breezy cameo but could not hang around for long. Kohli notched up his second successive fifty and kept going despite the fall of wickets at the other end. At 153-5 with two overs to go, it looked like Bengaluru would fall short of that 180-run mark but Dinesh Karthik had other ideas and he gave Bengaluru the desired finish with Kohli.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, OUT! RUN-OUT! Slower length ball, angling across the batter. Kohli under-cuts it to the keeper as Karthik comes for the run. Salt collects it well and hits the stumps at the striker's end, has Karthik short of his crease. Bengaluru finish on 182 for 6 in their 20 overs.

Mitchell Starc to Dinesh Karthik, Short and wide outside off. Karthik slaps it to deep extra cover for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Dinesh Karthik, SIX! Karthik gets into the act now! Full on the peg. Karthik shuffles across the line, picks it nicely and sends it over fine leg region for half a dozen.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Slower bumper, outside off. Kohli pulls it to deep square leg for one.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, SIX! WHACKED! Pitched full and in the slot. Kohli flicks it over the deep square leg boundary, into the crowd for a massive hit.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Slower length ball, on the middle and leg. Kohli skips down the pitch and pulls it to the deep mid-wicket region. A direct throw from the deep but Kohli has made his ground.

Andre Russell to Dinesh Karthik, SIX MORE! BOOM! Short of a length, just outside off. Karthik connects well and just clears the man at long-on for another maximum.

Andre Russell to Dinesh Karthik, Slower bumper, outside off. Karthik goes for the upper-cut but fails to connect. Bengaluru have challenged the decision. They think it's a wide for height. The third-umpire deems it a fair ball.

Andre Russell to Dinesh Karthik, SIX! Up and Away! Pitched full, outside off. Karthik finally connects and lifts it over the long-off fence for a biggie.

Andre Russell to Dinesh Karthik, Bowls it on a length again, around the middle and off. Karthik looks to nudge it into the leg side but fails and does not get a run.

Andre Russell to Dinesh Karthik, Good length delivery on off. Karthik stays back and defends into the off-side.

Andre Russell to Virat Kohli, Short of a good length, outside off. Kohli pulls it to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, Full-length delivery, outside off. Kohli skips down the pitch and drags it to deep square leg for a run. Excellent over from Harshit Rana.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, Back of a length, outside off. Kohli looks to punch it away but gets an inside edge into the pitch.

Harshit Rana to Dinesh Karthik, Slower length ball on middle. Nudged through square leg for one.

Dinesh Karthik walks in now.

Harshit Rana to Anuj Rawat, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! It is the slower ball that has done the trick for the second time on the night for Harshit Rana. Stays over the wicket and rolls his fingers over the ball as he goes full and angles it across, outside off, Anuj Rawat shuffles across and looks to go back over the bowler's head. He is through his shot early and gets an outside edge that goes through to Phil Salt behind the wicket who does the rest by diving in front.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, Fuller and slower, on middle, Virat Kohli clips it through square leg for a single.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, Slower and fuller, on off, Virat Kohli whips it towards deep mid-wicket and takes a single. The throw from the deep hits the stumps at the batting end and rolls away on the off side, allowing Kohli to run the second run.

Kolkata bring in Angkrish Raghuvanshi as their Impact Player, replacing Varun Chakaravarthy. Harshit Rana (3-0-34-1) is back into the attack and he will bowl out now.

Andre Russell to Virat Kohli, Full and angling into the batter. Kohli plays across the line but misses and wears on the pad. The ball ricochets off the pad into the off-side for a run.

Andre Russell to Anuj Rawat, In the air but dropped! Slower and shorter in length, outside off. Rawat hangs back and guides it to the short third region. Varun Chakaravarthy stationed there, comes forward but puts down a tough chance.

Andre Russell to Anuj Rawat, Short and around off. Rawat pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Andre Russell to Rajat Patidar, OUT! CAUGHT! Patidar goes cheaply! Slower length ball, on middle. Patidar pulls but does not get the desired connection and falls into the throat of Rinku Singh at the deep mid-wicket boundary. Another failure for Patidar as Bengaluru lose their fourth. 100th Indian T20 League wicket for Andre Russell.

Anuj Rawat is the new man in.

Andre Russell to Rajat Patidar, WIDE! Too short and way over the batter. Patidar looks to play the upper-cut but fails to connect. Wide signaled by the umpire.

Andre Russell to Virat Kohli, On a fullish length, outside off. Kohli drives it on the up to wide long-off for one.

Andre Russell to Rajat Patidar, Short of a length, around off. Patidar pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Strategic break! Bengaluru are in a brilliant position to finish the innings with a bang. Kohli is well set on 67 and with Karthik to follow, the home side will hope to finish above 190 from hereon. Kolkata have bowled a few tidy overs in the last five but their fielding lapses have cost them a lot of runs. The visiting team will hope to try and restrict the Bengaluru team to a chasable score.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Shot of real class! Starc slants it across the batter, on a good length, outside off, Virat Kohli holds his shape and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary. 7 runs off the over, not a bad one from Starc given the stage in the game.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Goes short but this sails over the batter's head for a wide. Virat Kohli tries to fetch the pull from over his head but misses.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Takes pace off and goes into the wicket, outside off, Virat Kohli tries to latch onto the width but swings too hard and connects with thin air. Turning out to be a good over from Starc.

Mitchell Starc to Rajat Patidar, Digs it in short at the body of the batter, Rajat Patidar hangs back and helps it to deep backward square leg for one more run.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Delivers it on a back of a length, on off, Virat Kohli pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Angling away, fuller and slower, around off, Virat Kohli loses his shape in trying to go back over the bowler's head and gets a bottom edge that rolls behind to the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Takes pace off and bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Virat Kohli misses out on the pull as the ball goes under his bat.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Shorter and slower, on off, Virat Kohli goes for the pull but gets an inside edge that goes down to short fine leg for one.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Short and outside off, Virat Kohli makes room and cuts it wide of the man at deep point. Rinku Singh gets to the ball quickly and fires in a throw at the batting end but cannot prevent Kohli from coming back for the second. Kohli dives full length and makes his ground.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, FOUR! In the gap! On a length, on middle, Virat Kohli clears his front leg and hacks it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Full again and at the stumps, Virat Kohli wrists it wide of deep mid-wicket and comes charging back for the second run.

Sunil Narine to Rajat Patidar, Full and turning away, around off, Rajat Patidar presses forward and drives it through covers for a single.

Rajat Patidar walks in at 5.

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, OUT! TAKEN! Sunil Narine redeems himself, having dropped Maxwell in the previous over. Glenn Maxwell runs out of luck and holes out now. Narine sees the batter make room and lands it short and away from the reach of the batter, Glenn Maxwell is made to reach out and ends up slicing it in the air towards deep backward point. Rinku Singh covers good ground to his left and completes the catch near his waist. Kolkata breathe a sigh of relief.

Harshit Rana to Glenn Maxwell, Takes pace off and bowls it on a length, at the stumps, Glenn Maxwell swipes across the line towards deep backward square leg for one.

Harshit Rana to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! Glenn Maxwell rubs salt into the wounds now! This is at pace, on a fullish length, outside off, Glenn Maxwell opens the bat face and glides it to the right of short third for a boundary.

Harshit Rana to Glenn Maxwell, DROPPED! Slower and fuller outside off. Maxwell slogs it across the line and gets a top edge that flies toward the short third region. Narine runs back for the catch but spills it down. Maxwell gets another lifeline and adds two more to his score.

Harshit Rana to Glenn Maxwell, SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Short ball, around off. Maxwell goes back and tonks it over the long-on fielder for half a dozen.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, Hard-length, angling into the batter. Kohli thumps it off the toe-end to long-on for just a single.

Harshit Rana to Glenn Maxwell, Slower and fuller outside off. Maxwell slices it through backward point for a single.

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Full and sliding on the pads, Glenn Maxwell eases it off his pads to long on for one more run.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, This is full and on middle, Virat Kohli knocks it down to long on for a single.

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, A bit too full, at the stumps, driven down to long on for a single by Glenn Maxwell.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Gives the ball air and bowls it around off, Virat Kohli works it down the ground to long off for a single.

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, DROPPED! Ramandeep Singh puts it down! You just cannot afford to give a player like Glenn Maxwell a second life. Offers flight and bowls it at the stumps, on a nagging length, Glenn Maxwell makes room and goes for a hack across the line. Skies it high in the air and it goes only as far as deep mid-wicket where Ramandeep Singh runs around to his left and gets there. He settles under it but fails to hold on. How costly will this drop prove for Kolkata?

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Short and turning in, on leg, Glenn Maxwell goes for the flick but misses and wears it on the pad.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, Drags his length back and bowls it on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell nudges it in front of square on the leg side. A much-needed productive over for Bengaluru, 17 runs off it.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! Two in two! Fuller in length, on middle, Glenn Maxwell gives himself room and cross-bats this one back over the bowler's head for four more runs.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! Shot! Tosses it up, full and outside off, Glenn Maxwell backs away and drills it to the left of long off for a boundary.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Virat Kohli, FIFTY FOR VIRAT KOHLI! 'He has still got it', said Virat Kohli after the last game and he is walking the talk here! Back-to-back fifties for Kohli. Short and turning in, on middle and leg, Virat Kohli pulls it through mid-wicket for a single to get to his half-century.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Virat Kohli, SIX! A pressure-release hit by Virat Kohli! On a nagging length, on middle, Virat Kohli lets his hands flow into the shot and swings cleanly to deposit it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, On a fullish length, on middle, Glenn Maxwell whips it to wide long on to get to the other end

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, Bye! Rolls his fingers over the ball does Russell, on a short of a length, on off, Glenn Maxwell tries to turn it on the leg side but gets squared by. The ball goes on the bounce to Phil Salt and he fails to read the spin. The ball deflects off his gloves and dribbles in front. Virat Kohli is alert to the situation and calls Maxwell through for a quick single. Just 5 runs have come off the last two overs. Pressure building on Bengaluru.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, That could have gone anywhere! Serves it full and around leg, Glenn Maxwell sits deep in his crease and has a swipe across the line. Gets a top edge that luckily for Maxwell, goes onto hit his helmet and it rolls safely on the leg side.

Andre Russell to Glenn Maxwell, Delivers it on a good length, in the channel on off, Glenn Maxwell tries to use the pace of the delivery by opening the bat face but gets beaten.

Andre Russell to Virat Kohli, At pace this time, on a back of a length, on middle, Virat Kohli covers the line of the ball and punches it with a straight bat to long on for a single.

Andre Russell to Virat Kohli, And again! Into the wicket and pace-off by Russell, on middle, Virat Kohli goes for a short-arm jab but he is through his shot very early and fails to connect.

Andre Russell to Virat Kohli, Takes pace off nicely and bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Virat Kohli gives the ball the charge and shapes up for the pull but misses.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, Wrong'un on a fullish length, on the leg peg. Maxwell misses the nudge and gets a thud on the pad. Just three off the over. Tidy start from Chakravarthy.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Virat Kohli, Shortish, around off. Kohli stays back and steers it through backward point for one.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Virat Kohli, Bowls a flipper on the leg peg. Kohli looks to play across the line but misses and wears on the pad.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Virat Kohli, Flat and quick, just outside off. Kohli plays it late and dabs it to short third.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, Tossed up on off. Maxwell eases it through point for a single to get off the mark.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Virat Kohli, Flatter on the middle and leg. Kohli waits and nudges it through square leg for a single.

Glenn Maxwell walks in at number 4. Also, Varun Chakaravarthy comes on to bowl now.

Andre Russell to Cameron Green, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Russell gets his man! Good length delivery, angled in at the pads. Green swings hard across the line but the ball deflects off the front pad and crashes into the stumps. Bengaluru lose their second as Green departs after a decent start.

Andre Russell to Cameron Green, SIX! DISPATCHED! Pitched full on the leg peg. Green picks it nicely and whacks it over long-leg boundary for a biggie.

Andre Russell to Cameron Green, Pace off again, into the pitch. Green pulls it early and gets an inside edge to the keeper.

Andre Russell to Virat Kohli, Low full toss, tailing into the middle and leg. Kohli works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Andre Russell to Virat Kohli, Slower length ball, just outside off. Kohli is through the pull shot early and gets an inside edge that rolls down to the keeper.

Andre Russell to Cameron Green, Hard-length on off. Green runs it down to third man for a single.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Flighted on middle and off. Kohli plays it early and pushes it back at the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, SIX! INTO THE STANDS! Pitches it full and in the slot. Kohli gets down on one knee and smokes it over the cow corner fence for a biggie.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Darted on a length, around off. Kohli bunts it back at Narine.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Fraction short, outside off. Kohli goes back and cuts it uppishly to the wide long-off region for a brace.

Sunil Narine to Cameron Green, Flatter, on middle. Green makes room and carves it to deep point for a run.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Floated on off. Kohli prods and whips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Anukul Roy to Virat Kohli, Arm ball on middle and leg. Kohli nudges it through mid-wicket for a run. Just three off the over.

Anukul Roy to Cameron Green, Shortish, outside off. Green cuts it through covers for a single.

Anukul Roy to Cameron Green, Yorker length delivery on middle. Green squirts it to backward point. Three dots in a row.

Anukul Roy to Cameron Green, Arm ball on off. Green stays back and dabs it to point. Kohli wanted the run but sent back by Green.

Anukul Roy to Cameron Green, Flatter, outside off. Green mistimes the cut into covers for none.

Anukul Roy to Virat Kohli, Shortish on the middle and leg. Kohli pulls it through square leg for one.

Strategic break! Bengaluru have come out firing, and although there have been a few mix-ups between Virat Kohli and Cameron Green, this stand is looking solid for the hosts. These two will look to tick along at a brisk rate and lay a solid foundation for the innings. As for Kolkata, they have not gotten it right with the ball so far and they will need to pick themselves up quickly. With the field restrictions now eased, they will look to put this partnership under pressure and force an error out of the two batters.

Sunil Narine to Cameron Green, SIX! BOOM! Pitched full and in the slot. Green picks it nicely and powers it over the long-on boundary into the crowd for half a dozen. 15 runs off the over.

Sunil Narine to Cameron Green, FOUR MORE! BANG! Slightly short and outside off. Green makes room and hammers it through extra cover for back-to-back boundaries.

Sunil Narine to Cameron Green, FOUR! Put Away! Fraction fuller, at the stumps. Green gets low and slogs it through the backward square leg region for a boundary.

Sunil Narine to Cameron Green, Flat and quick again at the stumps. Green makes room and cuts it to the man at point.

Sunil Narine to Cameron Green, Flatter on middle. Green makes room and cuts it into covers.

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Tossed up around off. Kohli comes forward and turns into the backward square leg region.

Anukul Roy to Cameron Green, Another mix-up! Fires it in, on a nagging length, on middle and leg, Cameron Green goes back to flick it away but gets beaten for pace as the ball sneaks past the inside edge and rolls off his pads towards short fine leg. This time Kohli is eager for the run and gets sent back in the nick of time by Green.

Anukul Roy to Cameron Green, Gets away with it! This is short and a hint of away turn, outside off, Cameron Green slaps it hard towards extra cover. Green sets off for the run as does Kohli but both are caught ball-watching halfway through the run. A calamity is avoided as both batters retreat back to safety.

Anukul Roy to Cameron Green, Drags his length back and attacks the stumps, Cameron Green goes on the back foot and punches it to mid on.

Anukul Roy to Cameron Green, Strays on the pads, full in length, Cameron Green flicks it to the right of mid on and comes back for the second run.

Anukul Roy to Virat Kohli, Darts this one in, full and on middle and leg, Virat Kohli makes room and drives it towards wide long off for a single.

Anukul Roy to Virat Kohli, Floats it up, full and on middle, Virat Kohli knocks it firmly to mid on.

Time for some spin. Anukul Roy comes on now.

Harshit Rana to Cameron Green, FOUR! Nicely done! On a shortish length, outside off, Cameron Green goes after it and upper-cuts it over short third inside the circle for a boundary.

Harshit Rana to Cameron Green, A huge mix-up but no harm done! That would have been catastrophic for Bengaluru! Short and wide on off, Cameron Green cuts it into the ground and sets off for the single as the ball goes to the left of backward point. Virat Kohli is caught ball watching and sends Green halfway through the run. Ramandeep Singh gets to the ball but takes his eyes off the ball in his quest to release the ball quickly. He fails to gather it cleanly which allows Green to get back in at the batting end.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, This is banged into the deck again, on off, Virat Kohli swivels in his crease and pulls it to the left of deep square leg. They cross.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, At 138.1 kph by Rana, into the wicket, outside off, Virat Kohli shapes up for the pull but he is through his shot early and connects with thin air.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, It is Ramandeep Singh again! Lands it short now, outside off, Virat Kohli gets on top of the bounce and goes up and over point. Ramandeep Singh gives it a chase and dives in front to save a couple of runs for his side.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, Good hand by Ramandeep Singh! On a good length, outside off, Virat Kohli slaps it from the crease towards point where Ramandeep Singh springs to his left and saves a certain boundary. Kohli comes back for the second.

Mitchell Starc to Cameron Green, FOUR! Green is off the mark in streaky fashion! Bowls it full, angling across the batter. Green is lured in the drive and gets an outside edge that flies past the short third fielder for four runs.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Back of a length on middle-stump line. Kohli tucks it to backward square leg for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Delivers it on a short of a length, on off, Virat Kohli gets on his toes and glides it towards deep backward point where Rinku Singh puts in the dive to his left and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Streaky! A hint of inward movement, on a back of a length, on middle, Virat Kohli looks to keep this one out but the ball nips back in off the deck and it catches the inside edge. It races past the keeper for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, SIX! Dispatched with utter disdain! Starc lands it on a good length, shaping back into the right-hander, on middle and leg, Virat Kohli picks up the length early and lets his bottom hand do the rest. Whips it off his pads and it sails over deep square leg for a biggie. 239th Indian T20 League six for Kohli and he is now level with Chris Gayle.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Goes full and straight, at the stumps, Virat Kohli keeps it out on the off side.

Cameron Green walks in at 3.

Harshit Rana to Faf du Plessis, OUT! TAKEN! Harshit Rana strikes back and it is the slower ball that has done the trick for him! Faf du Plessis tries the scoop again but it does not come off this time! Rana takes pace off and serves it on a good length, on off, Faf du Plessis moves to the off side and exposes all his stumps to scoop it over short fine leg. There is no pace for du Plessis to work with and it lobs tamely towards Mitchell Starc at short fine leg who does the rest. Rana draws first blood for Kolkata and he is pumped.

Harshit Rana to Faf du Plessis, SIX! WOAH! How has Faf du Plessis pulled that off? This is on a length by Rana, outside off, Faf du Plessis walks across his stumps to scoop it over short fine leg. He is quick to realise that the line is not there for him to go over short fine leg. He adjusts and ramps it over the keeper's head and it sails over the third man fence for the first maximum of the night .

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, A bit too straight from Rana, on a back of a length, on the pads, Virat Kohli pulls it off the inner half of the bat to the right of deep square leg. Rinku Singh in the deep runs around to his right and cuts it off. Just a single taken.

Harshit Rana to Faf du Plessis, Hurries the batter does Rana, on a back of a length, on middle, Faf du Plessis gets on his toes and glances it away off his hips towards short fine leg for a run.

Harshit Rana to Faf du Plessis, WIDE! Bends his back and digs it in short, on off, Faf du Plessis sways away and it goes over the batter's head for a wide. Rana is not pleased with the umpire's decision but Kolkata do not take the review.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, Closer to the off-stump line, on a good length, Virat Kohli plays it right under his eyes and punches it to deep backward point to get to the other end.

Harshit Rana to Virat Kohli, Begins from over the wicket and delivers it on a short of a length, in the corridor of off, Virat Kohli uses the pace and guides it down to short third.

Who will bowl from the other end? It will be Harshit Rana.

Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis, Missed out! Starc presents a juicy half-volley at 142 kph, swinging in, on middle and leg, Faf du Plessis drives it crisply and the ball pings off his bat but it goes straight to Shreyas Iyer at mid off. du Plessis throws his head back in disappointment.

Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis, Gets the ball to shape back into the Bengaluru skipper, on a hard length, on middle, at 147 kph, Faf du Plessis opts to stay on the back foot and pushes it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Drags his length back and gets a bit of extra bounce, on off and middle, Virat Kohli hops back and adjusts well to dab it down to deep backward point for one.

Mitchell Starc to Faf du Plessis, Faf du Plessis is away as well! Keeps it full again, in the channel on off, Faf du Plessis reaches out and mistimes the drive in front of mid off which allows him to set off for a quick single.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, Goes full in search of swing and offers width on off, Virat Kohli leans into it and drives it to deep point for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Virat Kohli is up and running and the crowd erupts! Starc steams in from over the wicket and angles it across the batter, on a good length, around off, Virat Kohli stays leg side of the ball and angles the bat face to steer it to the right of short third for a boundary.

All in readiness now. The players and umpires are making their way on to the park. Kolkata are in a huddle near the boundary before the spread onto the field. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis stride out to open for Bengaluru. It will be Mitchell Starc with the ball for Kolkata. Let's go…

Live visuals show Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who is among the Impact players nominated by Kolkata, being handed his maiden cap. It is a telltale sign that he will be subbed in when Kolkata come out to bat later.

The skipper of Bengaluru, Faf du Plessis says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that they chased well in the last game and it looks like a good wicket. Shares that it is really important that you get over the line in close games early in the tournament. States that it was good to start at home with a win. Feels that it is about how you adapt to the conditions and see what your options are after assessing the surface. He says that the crowd has been amazing and his team likes to use the crowd to their advantage. Ends by saying that they are going with an unchanged team.

Shreyas Iyer, the Kolkata skipper says that they will bowl first. Adds that it looks like a new pitch and the curator has shared that it might spin a bit. Shares that they won the first game out of nowhere and the preparations have been top-notch. Mentions that they have done well in the past but it is important to stay in the present and focus on the current game. Adds that it is always good to have a lethal bowling lineup and lauds them for doing a phenomenal job in the previous game. Ends by sharing that they need to capitalize from the start and take on from there. Informs that Anukul Roy comes into the side for this game.

Impact players nominated by Kolkata – Suyash Sharma, Vaibhav Arora, Manish Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Kolkata (Playing XI) – Phil Salt (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Anukul Roy (In for Nitish Rana), Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Impact players nominated by Bengaluru – Suyash Prabhudessai, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Vijaykumar Vyshak and Swapnil Singh.

Bengaluru (Unchanged Playing XI) – Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat (WK), Alzarri Joseph, Mayank Dagar, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal.

TOSS – The coin toss lands in the favour of Shreyas Iyer and Kolkata have elected to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT – Ian Bishop is pitchside. He starts by saying that it is a glorious evening in Bengaluru and the outfield looks superb. Informs that centre wicket will be used for this game, resulting in the square boundaries being 61 metres each and the straight boundary being 75 metres. States that the pacers took pace off in the last game here between Bengaluru and Punjab and feels that it might be the case again here in this clash. Sunil Gavaskar joins him and says that the pitch looks good but there are some loose cracks near the good-length area. He opines that if spinners land it on these cracks, it might come apart and will give them turn. Gavaskar shares Bishop's sentiment and believes that pace-off options will work for pacers. Bishop ends by saying that he hopes that the dew does not intervene and we get a high-scoring game.

In the purple corner stand Shreyas Iyer's Kolkata, who have played only one game so far, and their campaign got off to a winning start at the iconic Eden Gardens against Hyderabad. In that game, Phil Salt raced off the blocks, and then Andre Russell went crash, bang, wallop to help his side recover from an initial muddle to propel them over 200. Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer, and Nitish Rana failed to have any sort of impact and would want to make amends in this game. In what will be his 500th T20 game, Sunil Narine will hold the key in the spin department, as he has done during the past 499 games. The most expensive buy at the auction, Mitchell Starc, was taken to the cleaners, but the way his new ball compatriot, Harshit Rana, held his nerves in the final over was heartening to see. Kolkata have been unbeaten for the past five games against Bengaluru in Bengaluru. But the trend so far has been the home teams winning their games. Will that change? Join us for the ride to find out.

Fighting out of the red corner, Faf du Plessis' Bengaluru started the season with a defeat in Chennai before bouncing back against Punjab at home to get their first points of the season. Fresh off his heroics from the last game, Virat Kohli will be riding high on confidence, but the likes of Faf du Plessis, Cameron Green, and Glenn Maxwell are yet to set the stage on fire. Dinesh Karthik has performed the finisher role with aplomb, as have Anuj Rawat and Mahipal Lomror. After a not-so-great outing with Gujarat last season, Yash Dayal seems to have put that season behind them and has bowled well in tandem with Mohammed Siraj. On the spin bowling front, they have not excelled as they would have liked, and it might force them to bring in Karn Sharma, who featured in the season opener against Chennai.

Hello and a warm welcome, folks! A clash of epic proportions awaits as two powerhouses, Bengaluru and Kolkata, lock horns at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With a history of intense battles between these two sides, this match promises to deliver another epic chapter in their fierce rivalry. Buckle up for an action-packed clash where the fireworks will be guaranteed, and that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seats.

… MATCH DAY …

It's time for another marquee clash in the Indian T20 League 2024 as the Chinnaswamy Stadium prepares to host the perennial rivals, Bengaluru and Kolkata in match number 10. These two heavyweight teams have a history of engaging in high-scoring encounters marked by intense battles and thrilling chases. Bengaluru is entering this match with a win under their belt after a loss in the curtain raiser. They emerged victorious in a nail-biting thriller against Punjab, where their bowlers, including Mohammed Siraj, Glenn Maxwell delivered commendable performances. Yash Dayal made a remarkable comeback with a superbly economical spell of four overs and a wicket. While chasing a target of 177, Virat Kohli provided a fiery start but witnessed a collapse from the other end as wickets kept falling. Kohli displayed exemplary resilience, scoring a crucial 77 runs, adorned with 11 exquisite boundaries and a couple of majestic sixes. However, Bengaluru found themselves in dire straits after Kohli's dismissal, with the required run rate soaring. Dinesh Karthik rescued his team once again, silencing his critics with a responsible innings that guided Bengaluru to victory. Impact substitute Mahipal Lomror also played a pivotal role with a quickfire 17 off 8 balls. With Karthik's cameo of 28 runs off just 10 deliveries, Bengaluru clinched the match with four deliveries to spare, securing their first win of the tournament. However, Bengaluru would be expecting more significant contributions from their batters in this high-octane clash. Bengaluru expects responsible contributions from the likes of Rajat Patidar and also Cameron Green. On the other hand, Kolkata also commenced their campaign with a victory but had nearly a week's break before this fixture. They narrowly defeated Hyderabad, posting a formidable total of over 200 runs. Despite a middle-order collapse, opener Phil Salt's responsible half-century and a thunderous innings by Andre Russell stole the show. Russell's blistering knock of 65 runs came off just 25 deliveries, including seven towering sixes and three boundaries. With crucial contributions from Ramandeep Singh and Rinku Singh, Kolkata breached the 208-run mark. However, defending their total wasn't smooth sailing, as their bowlers, including the marquee signing Mitchell Starc, faced a tough time. Kolkata's victory looked uncertain at one point, but Harshit Rana's composed final over, which included the dismissal of the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen off the penultimate delivery, ensured their triumph as they successfully defended 13 runs in the last over. Despite winning their opening game, Kolkata encountered some challenges in both batting and bowling departments, and they will be eager to address these issues ahead of this high-profile clash. While Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and Phil Salt showcased impressive performances, the team would be looking for more substantial contributions from the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana, and the enigmatic spinner Sunil Narine. Discussing the head-to-head encounters between these star-studded sides, Kolkata holds an advantage with 18 victories out of 32 meetings, whereas Bengaluru has won four fewer matches. This includes a memorable defeat in 2019, where they failed to defend a total of over 200 runs against Kolkata, a loss that still lingers in their memory. Bengaluru will be determined to improve their record against Kolkata, particularly on their home turf, as they currently trail in their head-to-head encounters. Who do you think will win this El Classico?