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Right then, that’s a wrap from this high-octane clash where Kolkata Knight Riders walk away with two vital points, keeping their playoff hopes alive, while Delhi Capitals face a second consecutive setback, losing ground at a crucial stage in the tournament. Next up in the Indian Premier League, it’s Match 49 as Chennai Super Kings welcome Punjab Kings to the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai! It’s a crucial game for Punjab Kings, who’ll be desperate to bag those two points to stay in the playoff hunt. While CSK, with nothing to lose, will look to find their right combination, play fearless cricket, and possibly play spoilsport in the playoff race. The clash unfolds on 30th April, Wednesday, with the first ball set to be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). Make sure to tune in early for all the pre-match build-up. Until then, it’s goodbye and cheers.
Kuldeep Yadav will walk out to face the final ball.
Vipraj Nigam is dejected to have not crossed on the last ball of the over. Which means it will be Dushmantha Chameera to face the first ball of the final over. Will it be Andre Russell or Vaibhav Arora to bowl the final over? Sunil Narine turns to Andre Russell. He went for 13 in his first over and has 24 runs to defend here.
Is it a run out? The throw comes at the keeper, who flicks the bails off in a flash, but that desperate dive from Vipraj Nigam might just save him. The third umpire is summoned and the side on replay shows the bat to be just inside the crease. NOT OUT!
Dushmantha Chameera walks in at number 10 for Delhi Capitals and will face the Hat Trick ball from Varun Chakaravarthy.
Mitchell Starc walks in at number 9 for Delhi Capitals.
Varun Chakaravarthy (3-0-31-0) to bowl out now.
Strategic Break! With the crucial wicket of Faf du Plessis, the momentum has swung firmly in KKR's favour. Delhi Capitals now need 59 runs off 28 balls, which isn’t out of reach, but the pressure is mounting with their last recognised batting pair at the crease. Ashutosh Sharma is the impact substitute in for Mukesh Kumar, and he has delivered in tense situations before, and will need to step up once again for his side. For KKR, Sunil Narine has turned the game on its head with three quick strikes, and they’ll know that one more breakthrough could seal the deal. Crunch time in this thrilling contest!
Vipraj Nigam is in at number 7 with half of DC side back in the dugout. Also, a change in bowling. Anukul Roy (3-0-19-1) is back into the attack.
Tristan Stubbs is in at number 6 for Delhi Capitals.
Varun Chakaravarthy (2-0-22-0) is back on. He replaces Harshit Rana.
So much went wrong for KKR in this single delivery! Dre Russ bowled a No Ball, and now, Ajinkya Rahane has got a cut on one of his fingers of the right hand, while fielding the ball. He takes the blow right on the webbing and he looks in some pain. The physio is out to tend to him. And, he walks off the field now. Sunil Narine is the stand-in skipper for KKR until Jinx is off the field. To the ones wondering, Venkatesh Iyer is the designated vice-captain for KKR, but since he has been subbed out, he won't be taking the field and hence, Narine is appointed as the stand-in captain.
And there he is. The birthday boy, Andre Russell, is into the attack now. He replaces Sunil Narine.
Harsha Bhogle on-air mentioned that Kolkata Knight Riders have been warned twice now for not starting the over on time. Shall another such instance repeat, for the third time, DC will be awarded 5 extra runs as a penalty for KKR.
Harshit Rana (1-0-14-0) comes back into the attack now.
Strategic Break! Delhi Capitals have lost three key wickets early in their chase of 205, but crucially, they’ve kept pace with the required run rate. With batting depth still to come, this fourth-wicket stand is vital. Faf du Plessis is looking fluent, and Axar Patel is beginning to find his rhythm. If they can stitch together a solid partnership, DC stay very much in the hunt. On the other side, KKR continue to apply the pressure, hunting for wickets. A decisive middle phase is on the cards
Good signs for DC as Axar Patel walks in next.
Is that a run out? Kolkata Knight Riders are very confident. Oh dear, a mixup, DC did not need at the moment. KL Rahul falls short of his crease by a few inches and DC lose another one.
Varun Chakaravarthy is introduced into the attack now.
KL Rahul is in at number 4. One of DC's most consistent batters this season, with 3 half centuries to his name, including one 90-plus score.
Is that LBW? Vaibhav Arora pleads in front of the umpire with the appeal, but it is not entertained. KKR go up for a review. But hang on, Karun Nair, by the looks of it, has already started to make his way back to the dugout. He stops midway and awaits the Ball Tracking verdict as there's no bat involved. And he is found trapped in front. Plumb LBW. OUT!
Will Roy get another? Nope. Change of ends for Vaibhav Arora. He is 1-0-10-0 so far.
KKR's impact sub, Vaibhav Arora to operate from the far end.
Karun Nair is in at number 3.