Highlights, IPL 2018, SRH vs KKR, Qualifier 2 at Eden Gardens, Full Cricket Score: Rashid's all-round show guides Sunrisers to final

Rashid Khan, Man of the Match: Thanks to Almighty Allah. This was a much-needed performance. The full focus was to back your skills and do your best. Much happy with the batting today which was needed today. I started my career as a batsman today. So thankful that I smashed a few sixes today. Feidling is the only department where there is no excuse for you. I am always trying my best to give my 100 percent. Take a good catch, effecting a run out. Modern cricket is demanding all three things so I am concentrating on all three things. I want to dedicate my award to all those people who lost their lives a few days ago in Afganistan.

KKR today:

First 10 overs: 93/2 (RR – 9.30)
Next 10 overs: 68/7 (RR – 6.80)

Rashid Khan, Man of the Match: Thanks to Almighty Allah. This was a much-needed performance. The full focus was to back your skills and do your best. Much happy with the batting today which was needed today. I started my career as a batsman today. So thankful that I smashed a few sixes today. Feidling is the only department where there is no excuse for you. I am always trying my best to give my 100 percent. Take a good catch, effecting a run out. Modern cricket is demanding all three things so I am concentrating on all three things. I want to dedicate my award to all those people who lost their lives a few days ago in Afghanistan.

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, Kane Williamson: “It was a great fighting effort from the lads. Kolkata was an outstanding side. The match could have gone either way, it is good to have finished on the right side. Credit to the boys to have finished the innings. Another game of cricket left. 

Rashid Khan was brilliant, but he’s got another game as well. We’ll keep him wrapped up. He was outstanding on the field as well. It was a really exciting game. But, the focus is now on the final. 

As a team, we fight till the very last ball. Rashid is a perfect example of that. His attitude is brilliant. Even the rest of the team as well. The other guys chipped in too. Great team effort. 

The thing we didn’t change was our balance. we made a few adjustments. It was nice to have Saha’s experience. It’s been a huge collective effort. There is another game of cricket left and we want to keep our feet on the ground. 

They(CSK) have been playing good cricket and they deserve their place in the final. Now, this match is done and we are now focussing on the next match.”

Dinesh Karthik, Kolkata Knight Riders captain: It’s hard to digest. We have a played a good tournament. To finish on the losing side feels bad. We had the game at the halfway mark. It was either up to me, Rana or Robin to bat through. Me not batting through was a mistake on my part. We gave a few youngsters a chance and they played well.

Amid all this, Chris Lynn has gamely tossed his gloves in the crowd, causing a mini-commotion. What a sport! Rashid Khan, to whom the night belongs, sees himself on big screen and waves at the nearly-vacant stands.

KKR though have only themselves to blame for. They were cruising at the halfway stage of the chase, but as has been the case with SRH throughout the league phase, they came back with vengeance. KKR dug themselves in a hole, and one thinks that Russell should have played out that Rashid over rather than trying something funky. He couldn’t, and that triggered a free fall for KKR. They would be disappointed, to say the least.

Teams finishing in top two meeting in the IPL Final:

RCB v CSK, 2011
CSK v MI, 2013
KXIP v KKR, 2014
CSK v MI, 2015
MI v RPS, 2017
CSK v SRH, 2018*

Players to score 30+ runs, take 3+ wickets and 2 catches in an IPL match:

Ravindra Jadeja for CSK v KKR, Kolkata, 2013
JP Duminy for DD v SRH, Visakhapatnam, 2015
Ben Stokes for RPS v SRH, Hyderabad, 2017
RASHID KHAN for SRH v KKR, Kolkata, 2018*

What a night this has been for Rashid Khan. His last-over blitz turned the tide in SRH’s favour and his three wickets and two important catches sealed the deal for the visitors. It takes a special effort to silence the Eden crowd, and SRH have been able to do that with clinical ease. They travel back to Mumbai to avenge their Qualifier 1 loss to CSK in the final on Sunday.

Rashid Khan today:

Batting: 34* (10), SR – 340.00
Bowling: 4-0-19-3, Wickets: Uthappa, Lynn and Russell
Fielding: Two catches and one run-out

Sunrisers Hyderabad end their losing streak, beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 13 runs and book a spot in the final! They will lock horns with CSK at Mumbai on 27 May.

Ball five: A yorker outside off, Kuldeep tries to scoop it but misses.

Ball four: Brathwaite attempts a yorker and Kuldeep digs it out safely. The ball bounces and Carlos catches it. He wants his hattrick and the umpires go upstairs. The soft signal is not out and the original decision stays.

Mass exodus at Eden Gardens!

Ball three: OUT! Surely, that’s the game. Full and on the pads, Gill moves slightly across and tries to loft it over midwicket. He gets the elevation but not the distance as Rashid Khan pouches another catch at deep midwicket. Gill falls for 30. KKR need 15 off 3. Brathwaite is on a hattrick.

Ball two: OUT! Brathwaite, from around the wicket, cramps Mavi for room and the youngster holes out to Rashid Khan in the deep. Crucially for KKR though is that Gill will face the next ball. 15 off 4.

Ball 1: FOUR! Full and outside off and Mavi carves it over third man. 15 needed off 5.

Brathwaite to bowl the final over. I would like to remind you that two years ago, West Indies needed 19 off the final over and Brathwaite had slammed four sixes against England to take them over the line in the World T20 final. Can he be the star with the ball today?

After 19 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 156/7 ( Shubman Gill 30 , Shivam Mavi 2)

Gill is keeping KKR in the game even though SRH are heavy favourites. The question is who will bowl the final over. 11 came off the penultimate over. 

19 needed off the final over.

SIX! Full and outside off, Shubman Gill’ eyes light up and dispatches it over the leaping long off fielder.

OUT! A length ball, on the sticks, Chawla backs away and tries to go over cover and misses. The ball uproots the off stump. 

Chawla b S Kaul 12(12)

That’s a wicket and, more importantly, a dot ball. Lest they implode, SRH are going to Mumbai. They have lived up to their billing as IPL’s best bowling team.

After 18 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 145/6 ( Shubman Gill 21 , Piyush Chawla 12)

A decent over given the circumstances. Nine off the over. The pressure is mounting on Gill and Chawla. 

KKR need 30 off 12.

FOUR! Bhuvi bowls it full and outside off, Gill thrashes it down the ground. Bhuvi tries to catch it but he was never going to stop it. The ball races away to the fence.

After 17 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 136/6 ( Shubman Gill 15 , Piyush Chawla 9)

Four singles off the 17th over. Kaul has delivered a frugal over at a very crucial time. The required run rate is 13 now. 

KKR need 39 off 18.

30+ runs and 3+ wickets in an IPL playoff/knockout match:

Shane Watson v DD, Wankhede, 2008
Yusuf Pathan v CSK, DY Patil, 2008
Kieron Pollard v RCB, DY Patil, 2010
Rashid Khan v KKR, Eden Gardens, 2018*

Kallis is on the ground again, having a word with the batsmen. Guess the plan would be for Chawla to attack and Gill to bat through. Thinking heads of SRH are out too. They just need to keep cool and do what they did so well in league phase. Interesting 4 overs coming up.

After 16 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 122/4 ( Deepak Hooda 18 , Yusuf Pathan 1)

A 14-run over. Ahmed’s poor debut continues. Don’t think Williamson will trust him with another over. 

KKR need 43 off 24.

SIX! Phew. Chawla clears his front leg and slams it over midwicket.

FOUR! Great timing. Back of a length ball, outside off, Gill punches it off his back foot through cover.

After 15 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 118/6 ( Shubman Gill 7 , Piyush Chawla 0)

What a finish to what has been a breathtaking spell of leg spin bowling. Rashid Khan ends it with a 1-run over. He was deemed as a key player of the match and he has showed why.

Big night for young Shubman Gill. He has to play a special innings to get KKR across the line. He did that for the better part of U-19 World Cup earlier this year. Not a bad time for an encore when asking rate is around 12.

Sachin Tendulkar praises Rashid Khan who ends with three wickets in this innings 

Always felt @rashidkhan_19 was a good spinner but now I wouldn’t hesitate in saying he is the best spinner in the world in this format. Mind you, he’s got some batting skills as well. Great guy.

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 25, 2018

OUT! This has been a sensational turnaround. A ball before this wicket, Williamson had deployed a short leg. Maybe that affected Russell’s thought process and went for a cut against Rashid. But he only managed to edge it to Dhawan at first slip. 

A Russell c Dhawan b Rashid Khan 3(7)

After 14 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 117/5 ( Shubman Gill 6 , Andre Russell 3)

Three singles, a couple and a dropped catch. Russell plays down the wrong line and inside edges it onto his pads. The ball lobs towards Saha but he doesn’t pouch it.

KKR need a big over somewhere. Can’t leave it for too late. Guess they should target run-a-ball against spinners and then launch against fast bowlers.
And just as I wrote that, Russell has been castled. SRH’s game to lose now.

After 13 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 112/5 ( Shubman Gill 2 , Andre Russell 2)

Andre Russell has arrived at the crease after Lynn’s wicket. Kallis had said that their plan should be bat around Lynn and take this chase forward. Rashid has got rid of him. Who will anchor the innings now?

OUT! We are seeing a mini collapse at the Eden Gardens this. Lynn’s tactic to sweep all the deliveries of spin has failed. He looked to sweep this one again and the ball turned back in and rapped him on the pad. As plumb as it gets.

Chris Lynn lbw b Rashid Khan 48(31)

Most wickets by overseas leg-spinners in an IPL season:

20 – RASHID KHAN, 2018*
19 – Shane Warne, 2008

After 13 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 112/5 ( Shubman Gill 2 , Andre Russell 2)

Brilliant phase this for SRH. KKR have lost three wickets in four overs. 

KKR need 67 off 48.

Rashid Khan and Shakib have turned the match on its head. This is familiar territory for SRH; on a number of times this season, their middle-overs bowling has pulled them through. Big responsibility now for Shubman Gill and Andre Russell.

OUT! Huge wicket. Shakib Al Hasan is pumped up. Karthik is furious. Goes back to cut this shortish delivery and inside edges it onto his stumps. The spinners are bringing SRH back into the game. 

Karthik b Shakib 8(6)

After 12 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 108/4 ( Chris Lynn 48 , Shubman Gill 0)

A rare expensive Rashid Khan over. Karthik has read him on all the three balls and is looking in good nick once again.

FOUR! Brilliant use of crease. Karthik rocks back and smacks it between deep midwicket and long on.

FOUR! Length ball on the stumps and Lynn has swept it to the square leg fence.

Dinesh Karthik now holds the record of scoring most runs by a wicket-keeper captain in an IPL season, surpassing Adam Gilchrist’s tally of 495 runs in 2009.

OUT! A shot Uthappa would like to forget as soon as possible. He attempts to reverse sweep but misses it completely and the ball crashes onto his leg stump. 

Uthappa b Rashid Khan 2(8)

Rashid finally gets the better of Uthappa. This is the first time that the leg-spinner has dismissed Uthappa this IPL. Meanwhile, there’s a rumour swirling around Eden that Shahrukh Khan is in the house, forcing people to throw furtive glances towards the VIP lounge. It is, well, a rumour.

After 10 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 93/2 ( Chris Lynn 41 , Robin Uthappa 2)

Williamson brings Bhuvi back. This is a desperate measure as this will leave Williamson with only one Bhuvi over. And the risky move doesn’t pay off. Five came off the over but SRH needed a wicket and KKR denied them that.

FOUR! Back of a length, outside off, Lynn pushes it at early and it takes the outside edge and goes between backward point and short third man.

After 9 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 88/2 ( Chris Lynn 37 , Robin Uthappa 1)

Seven off the over. More importantly, they have broke the Lynn-Rana partnership. However, KKR are still in a strong position.

8.2 runs per over in last ten isn’t tough…or is it? Just when I was about to write that KKR shouldn’t do what RR did against them two nights back, they have done just that. Uthappa departs, and in comes the skipper to a thunderous applause.

OUT! Nitish Rana effected a run out and has himself lost his wicket in a desperate attempt to take the second run. He nudges one towards midwicket and calls Lynn for the second. Rashid rushes after the ball and hurls in a brilliant throw. Saha does the rest. A livid Rana walks back and throws his bat too. Not a smart move by the youngster. 

Nitish Rana run out (Rashid Khan/Saha) 22(16)

Robin Uthappa is the only other player than Virat Kohli to have scored 400-plus runs against SRH in IPL.

After 8 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 81/1 ( Chris Lynn 36 , Nitish Rana 17)

An expensive over form Brathwaite first up. He didn’t have a great time in the last match with the ball and so far it has continued. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Too full and outside off, Lynn stands tall and lofts it over sweeper cover.

FOUR! Short delivery, outside off and Lynn cuts it over third man.

After 7 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 70/1 ( Chris Lynn 26 , Nitish Rana 16)

What an enthralling over from Rashid Khan. SRH reviewed the first ball itself when Lynn tried to sweep one and was struck on the pad. But replays showed that the ball had kissed his glove before hitting the pads. Review wasted. Rashid concedes three off the over.

SRH are in a huddle. Tom Moody, VVS Laxman and Murali were all there. Let’s see if their wise words work. Meanwhile, flashlights are out in Eden, and so is Rashid Khan.

Rashid Khan is into the attack.

After 6 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 67/1 ( Chris Lynn 25 , Nitish Rana 14)

Nine off the over. KKR have scored 67 in the first six overs and SRH have rightly opted for the strategic time-out. What will the discussion be? We will find out soon…

KKR scored 67 runs in the PP overs today – the most a team has scored against SRH this season. The previous highest was 66 also by KKR at Hyderabad.

SIX! Length ball, outside off, Chris Lynn backs away and hammers it over long off.

After 5 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 58/1 ( Chris Lynn 17 , Nitish Rana 13)

A genuine hit and a top edge. Both went for sixes. The numbers won’t show this. What they would show though is that Khaleel has leaked 24 off his 2 overs.

End of powerplay and KKR in complete control of the chase. SRH have been guilty of bowling length to these batsmen and they have simply hit through the line. Time for Rashid Khan & Co to come in. It’s at this stage that SRH have turned matches this season. Can they do it again?

SIX! Shortish delivery into the delivery and Nitish Rana top edges it over fine leg.

SIX! Slightly short, outside off, Rana upper cuts it over third man.

After 4 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 46/1 ( Chris Lynn 17 , Nitish Rana 1)

A good first over from Siddarth Kaul. Narine’s wicket will calm a lot of nerves of Kane Williamson and Co. Eight off the over.

FOUR! Shortish delivery from Kaul but a poor line. Around leg and Lynn helps it on his way to fine leg.

OUT! Siddarth Kaul provides the breakthrough. Bowls the knuckle ball and keeps it full. Narine tries to go over long on but miscues it. Carlos Brathwaite gobbles it up at mid on. 

Narine c Brathwaite b S Kaul 26(13)

Players to score 350-plus runs and take 15-plus wickets in an IPL season:

Shane Watson, 2008
Dwayne Bravo, 2012
Jacques Kallis, 2012
Sunil Narine, 2018*

After 3 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 38/0 ( Chris Lynn 12 , Sunil Narine 24)

Sunil Narine has slammed 18 off four Bhuvi deliveries. Next time, think twice before calling him a makeshift opener. An extraordinary start for KKR. 19 off the third over.

Whatever momentum Rashid Khan’s late hitting venerated for SRH, Sunil Narine has wrested back for KKR. He systematically took apart Bhuvi, and KKR are on course.

FOUR! Once again a shortish delivery, Narine just smacks it over the bowler’s head.

FOUR! Back of a length delivery on the pads, Narine slogs and it takes a thick inside edge and goes to the square leg fence.

SIX! Length ball, outside off and Narine smokes it over long off.

FOUR! A full toss from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Narine accepts the gift and cracks it through cover.

After 2 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 19/0 ( Chris Lynn 12 , Sunil Narine 5)

Not the start Khaleel Ahmed would’ve wanted in IPL. His strength worked against him. Both Narine and Lynn like pace and they have made the most of it this over. 12 off the over.

SIX! Short and outside off, 127 kph, Lynn slaps it over extra cover.

FOUR! Welcome to the IPL, Khaleel Ahmed. Full and around leg, Narine tickles it to fine leg.

After 1 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 6/0 ( Chris Lynn 5 , Sunil Narine 0)

A decent over from Bhuvi. Five runs came off it. But that won’t work, they need to get rid of the openers as soon as possible.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only bowler to take 20-plus wickets against KKR in IPL.

SRH’s economy rate of 7.88 in this IPL – the best among all the teams.

FOUR! Bhuvi bowls it on a lenght and outside off. Lynn sees the width and slashes it over cover.

Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine walk out for the 175 chase. Bhuvneshwar Kumar takes the new ball.

SRH today:

1-6 overs: 45/0 (RR – 7.50)
7-15 overs: 68/3 (RR – 7.56)
16-20 overs: 61/4 (RR – 12.20)

Highest batting strike-rates in an IPL playoff/knockout T20 match: (Min.30 runs)

348.00 – Suresh Raina v KXIP, Mumbai, 2014 (87 off 25)
340.00 – RASHID KHAN v KKR, Kolkata, 2018* (34* off 10)
275.00 – Dwayne Bravo v DD, Chennai, 2012 (33* off 12)

Rashid Khan has played a little gem here. His 10-ball 34 has pushed SRH to a healthy 174, and they would back themselves to defend it. They scored 52 runs in last four overs, 34 of which came from Rashid alone. This match is nicely poised now. KKR will have to bat well to make it to the finals.

After 20 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 174/7 ( Rashid Khan 34 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5)

SRH finish on a high. Thanks to Rashid Khan, who has scored 34 off 10 balls. A strike rate of 340! All his teammates are applauding him. They know the importance of this innings. 24 came off the final over. Prasidh concedes 56 off his four overs. 

SRH have ended with 174/7. 

Kolkata Knight Riders need 175 to qualify for the final.

SIX! Once again, Prasidh bowls it full. Rashid Khan waits for it and smokes it high over long on.

SIX! What a shot! Full and on off, Rashid shuffles across and just whips it over deep backward square. Crazy batting.

FOUR! Full and on the sticks. Rashid waits for the ball and tonks it over mid off.

FOUR! Short and outside off from Prasidh. Bhuvi cuts it over backward point.

After 19 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 150/7 ( Rashid Khan 16 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 0)

Don’t be surprised. Rashid can bat. He has for Afghanistan for a lot of times and in the Big Bash League too. He is batting on 16 off 6 right now. Everybody knew he would be crucial for SRH’s chances today. But no one would’ve thought that it would be with the bat. 12 off the over. SRH have reached the 150-run mark.

SIX! Full and outside off and Rashid sends it over the cover fence.

SIX! Is that dropped? No he has misjudged it. Rashid dances down the track and throws the kitchen sink at it. Chawla rushes forward to catch it but the ball sails over him.

OUT! This will cost SRH at least 10 runs, I would say. Pathan tries to loft this over long off but it takes the leading edge and Chawla takes a fine catch near sweeper cover. 

Y Pathan c Chawla b Shivam Mavi 3(7)

After 18 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 138/6 ( Yusuf Pathan 3 , Rashid Khan 4)

The Sunrisers Hyderabad camp cannot believe what’s happening. They are six down and losing their way at the wrong time. Yusuf Pathan now needs to ensure that they cross the 150-run mark.

OUT! This is Nitish Rana’s wicket. Brathwaite slices it past third man. Rana hares across and cuts it off and hurls a throw. Karthik collects it and runs Brathwaite out. Crucial wicket. 

Brathwaite run out (Nitish Rana/Karthik) 8(4)

Brathwaite didn’t wait for the decision. He banged his helmet against his bat and walked off looking at the skies. KKR firmly on top now.

SIX! Prasidh tries to bowl the yorker but it ends up being a full toss and Brathwaite smashes it over midwicket.

After 17 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 124/5 ( Yusuf Pathan 2 , Carlos Brathwaite 0)

Narine too has bowled his four overs. His figures: 4-0-24-1. His job though is not done yet. He will surely have a say in the second innings. Two runs and a wicket came off his fourth over.

Kuldeep Yadav has left the field holding his lower back. Guess he injured it after bowling his first ball on the night, when he had an awkward fall. Meanwhile, Carlos Braithwaite is in. He would fancy his chances against pace.

OUT! Another one bites the dust. Hyderabad have lost half their side. Hooda tries to play the reverse sweep and he miscues it. Chawla backpedals and reverse cups it at backward point. 

Deepak Hooda c Chawla b Narine 19(19)

After 16 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 122/4 ( Deepak Hooda 18 , Yusuf Pathan 1)

Kuldeep Yadav has finished his quota. He returns figures of 2/29. Those two wickets are what pegged SRH back. They have been trying to rebuild since. Think Karthik should treat him after the match, if they win.

SIX! The wicket hasn’t affected Hooda’s approach one bit. Kuldeep pitches it up and Hooda tonks it down the ground.

OUT! Kuldeep Yadav can do no wrong today. Hooda drives it down the ground and Kuldeep gets his fingertips to it. Shakib was backing up and as you rightly guessed fails to make his way back before the ball disturbed the sticks at the non-striker’s end. 

Shakib run out (Kuldeep Yadav) 28(24)

Yusuf Pathan at Eden Gardens in T20s:

Innings – 40
Runs – 867
Average – 36.12
50s – 3

After 15 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 113/3 ( Shakib Al Hasan 28 , Deepak Hooda 10)

13 off the Narine over. Shakib looks set and is now upping the ante.

Tom Moody walks out with Yusuf Pathan, but there’s precious little he can advice at this stage. 10 per over will take them to par score, and KKR shouldn’t  mind chasing 160-170 here. Time for Hooda and Pathan to come good.

FOUR! Narine gives it a flight and Shakib sweeps it in front of square on the leg side.

FOUR! A long hop from Narine. Shakib goes back and cuts it behind square on the off side.

After 14 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 100/3 ( Shakib Al Hasan 19 , Deepak Hooda 6)

Kuldeep returns. Hooda and Shakib are doing an ideal job here. Though they may end up a few runs short in the end, preserving wickets is the key right now and they are doing it right. Five singles off it. They have reached 100-run mark.

KKR are applying the choke here. They have kept the scoring under check post time-out, forcing both Shakib and Hooda to score at less than run-a-ball. Expect some chances coming KKR way anytime now.

After 13 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 95/3 ( Shakib Al Hasan 17 , Deepak Hooda 3)

Another brilliant over for KKR. They are making the most of the momentum that they have gained.

FOUR! Shakib gives himself room and drills it past cover.

Sunil Narine needs two wickets to become the second bowler to take 50 wickets at a venue in IPL. He has taken 48 wickets at Eden Gardens in IPL so far.

After 12 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 90/3 ( Shakib Al Hasan 13 , Deepak Hooda 2)

Narine returns. Hooda and Shakib collect four singles. Partnership is the need of the hour here. SRH still have Carlos Brathwaite and Yusuf Pathan in the dugout. These two need to bat at least till the 16th over.

After 11 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 86/3 ( Shakib Al Hasan 11 , Deepak Hooda 0)

Think I jinxed Saha. His innings has come to an end. No Saha special at the Eden Gardens. Shakib holds key for SRH now.

OUT! Sunrisers Hyderabad have lost their top order. Saha rushed down the track to nudge one and he thought he did and set off for a single. But he hadn’t and Karthik collected the ball and stumped him. But the umpires have gone upstairs to check whether Karthik whipped the bails off with the ball in his hands. Replays show he has. OUT! says the big screen. Eden Gardens has seen a similar wicket in 1996, that of Sachin Tendulkar’s in the World Cup semi-final, who was stumped by Romesh Kaluwitharana. 

Saha st Karthik b Chawla 35(27)

Time-out once again works to KKR’s advantage, and SRH’s wobbly middle order has to bat out half their innings.

FOUR! Chawla bowls it too full once again and Shakib crunches it through cover.

After 10 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 79/2 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 35 , Shakib Al Hasan 5)

Huge appeal for LBW. Kuldeep is sure that he has got rid of Saha and asks Karthik to review. But replays show that Saha had just managed to inside edge the ball before it went onto hit his pads. Wriddhiman Saha has just started to show who the boss is at Eden Gardens. Ends the over with a boundary. 10 off the over.

FOUR! Beautifully played. Kuldeep flights it outside off and Saha sweeps it in front of square on the leg side.

Five KKR players have scored 300-plus runs in IPL while only two of SRH have scored 300-plus runs in IPL. However, both SRH players have been dismissed very early today. Who will play the anchor’s role for SRH by keeping in mind that they have big hitters at No.5, 6 and 7 today?

FOUR! Lovely. Kuldeep tosses it around leg, Saha kneels and lap sweeps it fine.

KKR get into a huddle and Jacques Kallis is having a word with them. Against RR, his advice clearly worked as KKR changed the course of match post both time-outs. Let’s see what’s in store tonight.

After 9 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 69/2 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 26 , Shakib Al Hasan 4)

A decent over for SRH. But the first nine overs have belonged to KKR thanks to Kuldeep’s one over. One always wondered whether this Hyderabad team can perform when Dhawan and Williamson fail. Well, they have a brilliant chance to prove themselves.

FOUR! Too full and outside off, Saha lunges forward and caresses it through cover.

KKR spinners have taken 50 wickets in IPL – 11 – the most by any team’s spinners.

Spinners have taken 53 wickets at Eden Gardens in this IPL – the most at a venue by them.

After 8 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 61/2 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 21 , Shakib Al Hasan 1)

It is too soon to say but this might just be the turning point of this match. Dhawan and Williamson out within five balls… Kuldeep Yadav has certainly put KKR in command. SRH are in recovery mode now.

Kuldeep was getting decent turn on a fairly grassy practice pitch before the match; expect some turn on this dry surface. As I type this, he has sent back both of SRH’s in-form batsmen. What a start for him! Gets loud applause from the crowd too.

OUT! Huge wicket. Kuldeep Yadav has put Sunrisers Hyderabad under tremendous pressure. He slips out the googly and Kane Williamson goes forward to push it. But the ball spins away and Kane edges it to Karthik, who grabs it. 

Williamson c Karthik b Kuldeep Yadav 3(3)

Kane Williamson missed out on becoming the fifth batsman to score 700-plus runs in an IPL season today.

Players to score 700-plus runs in an IPL season:

Chris Gayle, 2012 & 2013
Michael Hussey, 2013
Virat Kohli, 2016
David Warner, 2016

Sunil Narine’s bowling average in IPL playoff/knockout matches is 84. He has only taken three wickets from eight matches.

OUT! A first-ball wicket for Kuldeep Yadav. He tosses it up and on the sticks. Dhawan tries to sweep but misses and gets rapped on the pad. The finger goes up. 

Dhawan lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 34(24)

After 7 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 56/0 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 20 , Shikhar Dhawan 34)

Not a great first over from Piyush Chawla. But he has a tendency to start on a bad note. 11 have come off it.

FOUR! Another. Too full from Chawla once again, Dhawan drives it towards long off, who can’t cut it off.

FOUR! Full and around off from Chawla, Dhawan gets forward and drives it down the ground.

After 6 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 45/0 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 19 , Shikhar Dhawan 24)

Narine comes into the attack and as expected SRH openers take it easy against him despite it being the last over of Powerplay. Five came off it.

So pretty sedate start this from SRH. KKR have not let them score freely but they would have loved to have a wicket by now. The opportunity did present itself but Karthik dropped a tricky chance. Time for KKR spinners to make an appearance.

Shikhar Dhawan v Sunil Narine in IPL:

Runs – 49
Balls – 50
Dismissals – 2
Average – 24.50
S/R – 98.00

After 5 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 40/0 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 17 , Shikhar Dhawan 21)

This might be a 13-run over but Karthik would do well if he lets Mavi bowl four on the trot. He has been absolutely on the mark today. In fact, Saha won’t be too proud of the two boundaries he scored. There was hardly any conviction. A wicket seems to be around the corner.

FOUR! Saha slogs his way out of the trouble. Sees the length ball and smacks it to the midwicket fence.

Andre Russell’s economy rate of 9.37 in this IPL – the third worst for any bowler with a cut-off of 10 wickets.

FOUR! What a delivery. Back of a length, outside off, Saha tries to punch it but it takes the outside edge and runs away to the third man fence.

After 4 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 27/0 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 6 , Shikhar Dhawan 19)

Dhawan has upped the ante. He pounced on two Russell deliveries and scored boundaries. Saha, on the other hand, has started slowly. We might see him taking more risks in the next two overs.

FOUR! Russell bowls the slower delivery, outside off and Dhawan crunches it past cover-point.

FOUR! Shortish length, outside off, Dhawan stands tall and slap bats it down the ground.

After 3 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 18/0 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 6 , Shikhar Dhawan 10)

Dropped! Wriddhiman Saha tries to slog one down the ground but skies it. It goes high up in the air. Karthik gets underneath it and fails to pouch it. Mavi has been fantastic so far. He has hit the hard length and made runs scoring difficult for SRH.

Shikhar Dhawan becomes the eighth player to score 4000-plus runs in IPL. The other players are Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni and David Warner.

After 2 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 14/0 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 4 , Shikhar Dhawan 8)

Mavi and Prasidh are KKR’s opening bowlers. They made a statement by investing in youth during the auctions and this is just taking it to another level. Lovely to watch. But this was a much better over for Hyderabad. 10 came off it.

Prasidh Krishna has  taken 10 wickets in this IPL and all of them have come in the death overs.

SIX! Pick up shot. Prasidh bowls on the pads and Dhawan whips it in front of square on the leg side.

Wriddhiman Saha’s SR in T20s:

Career – 130.22
Opener – 145.48

After 1 overs,Sunrisers Hyderabad 4/0 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 2 , Shikhar Dhawan 1)

A lot of movement in the first over. More of seam than swing. Excellent over from Shivam Mavi. He kept both Saha and Dhawan on toes. Four have come off it.

Big game for Shivam Mavi. The U-19 kid has had a rough few matches and was benched. Gets this crucial game, and he really does need to justify his selection tonight.

KKR’s economy rate of 9.07 in this IPL – the worst among all the teams.

Wriddhiman Saha and Shikhar Dhawan open for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Dinesh Karthik hands the new ball to young Shivam Mavi.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan, Deepak Hooda, Wriddhiman Saha, Carlos Brathwaite, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed

In: Khaleel Ahmed, who makes his debut, Deepak Hooda and Wriddhiman Saha 

Out: Manish Pandey, Sreevats Goswami and Sandeep Sharma

Alright folks, game time. Out walk KKR to a thunderous ovation. Boy, do they love their team in Kolkata!

SRH have dropped Shreevats Goswami and in comes local boy Wriddhiman Saha. Goswami has kept well and given them steady starts, so the only probable reason for him sitting out could be Saha’s vast experience of playing at Eden. SRH would hope the move comes through.

KKR have won their last four matches in this IPL while SRH have lost their last four matches.

KKR have a 5-1 record against SRH at Eden Gardens in IPL.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan, Deepak Hooda, Wriddhiman Saha, Carlos Brathwaite, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed

In: Khaleel Ahmed, who makes his debut, Deepak Hooda and Wriddhiman Saha 

Out: Manish Pandey, Sreevats Goswami and Sandeep Sharma

So KKR will bowl first. Expected decision. This looks to be a dry pitch that is expected to stay true. No rains expected today but batting second does help, just in case.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Sunil Narine, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik, Shubman Gill, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Shivam Mavi

KKR are playing only three overseas players. Shivam Mavi has replaced Javon Searles.

Manish Pandey DROPPED!

Head to Head in IPL:

Matches played – 14
SRH won – 5
KKR won – 9

The coin falls in Kolkata Knight Riders’ favour and Dinesh Karthik opts to bowl.

Shaking Al Hasan has been practising his finger spin for a while now. Not getting much turn but is unerring in his length and accuracy. On the adjacent pitch, Kuldeep and Chawla are turning the ball big. Interesting.

Shakib Al Hasan has been practising his finger spin for a while now. Not getting much turn but is unerring in his length and accuracy. On the adjacent pitch, Kuldeep and Chawla are turning the ball big. Interesting.

Our cricket expert Ayaz Memon previews the second Qualifier. 

Hello and a very good evening from Eden Gardens. It’s Qualifier 2 today and home team KKR start favourites against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The City of Joy is bustling with anticipation, and fans are steaming in for this big match. Meanwhile on the ground, Nitish Rana is having a long nets session, practising his cover drive and tackling short-pitched balls.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chances against Kolkata Knight Riders depend heavily on spin sensation Rashid Khan, writes Rajesh Tiwary here . 

Do you agree?

KKR are riding a crest with four wins on the bounce, while SRH have lost their last four games. It’s this shift in momentum that may prove detrimental in this knock-out match, writes Shantanu Srivastava. 

Read his preview here .

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of IPL 2018’s second Qualifier, which will be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders.