RR vs KKR Highlights and Match Recap, IPL 2019, Full cricket score: Kolkata cruise to eight-wicket win

“It was a pitch that suited a cutter options, so a nice venue to make my debut on. My yorker is also an important option, and is something I am working on. (On knuckle ball) I am working on one, but don’t think it will be ready this IPL. Will use it in the English summer,” says Man of the Match Gurney!

Harry Gurney (2/25 from four overs) earns the Man of the Match on his IPL debut!

Dinesh Karthik, KKR (winning) captain: Pretty clinical effort from us. You get to play on a lot of slow surfaces and you need to adapt to the wickets. Pretty happy with bowlers. Gurney is a professional. He has got the confidence and the skils.

“Rode my luck again. It was a nice powerplay, and we sort of cruise-controlled. (On Narine) He’s done it for a couple of years now. We don’t really talk that much. Just keep it real simple. We’re getting some wins on the board, and preparing for something special in the backend,” says Chris Lynn, who top-scored for KKR with a 32-ball 50.

Quickfire 26 off 16 from Uthappa!

If I had to pick a stylish eleven at the IPL, I would have Robin Uthappa among my earliest picks.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 7, 2019

Winning this game with 37 balls to spare is huge statement under the circumstances. A major boost for KKR’s net run rate. Actually that’s what happens when their two power-hitters at the top get going. But the primary credit for this win should go to their bowlers for restricting Rajasthan to 139. Especially, Gurney was exceptional. Feel with all his variations, this Englishman can be the X-factor in KKR’s pace department.

Well!

The biggest positive for #RR today was that they didn’t allow Andre Russell to score a run..well done! #RRvKKR

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) April 7, 2019

“We thought, on that wicket, 150-160 would’ve been really good. At least we’ve gotta fight. Don’t think we bowled according to our plans. I’m sure guys will take this as a motivation. Dropped catches will happen. Things which happened to Lynn (off Kulkarni’s bowling) are uncontrollables. (On Midhun) Tough on him. Thought behind playing two leg-spinners was that wicket was going to be slow. This was the right time to give him an opportunity,” says vanquished captain Ajinkya Rahane.

Largest victories for KKR by balls remaining in IPL:

37 v RR, Jaipur, 2019*
37 v RR, Kolkata, 2011
35 v DD, Kolkata, 2016

Larget victories v RR by balls remaining in IPL:

76 – KTK, Indore, 2011
56 – RCB, Bangalore, 2010
37 – KKR, Kolkata, 2011
37 – KKR, Jaipur, 2019*

After 13.5 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 140/2 ( Robin Uthappa 26 , Shubman Gill 6)

Kolkata Knight Riders win by eight wickets and move to the top of the IPL 2019 points table!

The Rajasthan Royals have been completely outplayed in this game, with the Knight Riders winning this with 37 balls to spare! Ben Stokes is brought into the attack in the 14th over, conceding four byes first up, followed by two singles. Stokes concedes a wide off the final delivery to bring the match to an anti-climactic end.

After 13 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 133/2 ( Robin Uthappa 25 , Shubman Gill 5)

Gopal bowls out his quota, conceding 15 runs off it with Uthappa smashing his Karnataka teammate for two sixes. KKR nearly at the finish line, needing just seven runs to with as many overs at their disposal.

So, Gill gets a promotion in the batting order. A much needed one for the youngster. He needs some time in the middle to get into the grooves. A sensible call by the think-tank.

SIX! This one’s hit straight over the bowler’s head! Gopal’s leaking runs aplenty in his final over. KKR 133/2

SIX! Uthappa rocks back, and heaves the ball over the midwicket fence! KKR 125/2

After 12 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 118/2 ( Robin Uthappa 12 , Shubman Gill 3)

Archer returns to the attack, conceding just three runs off his third over. Both Archer and Gopal have bowled good spells so far in the day. With two new batsmen at the crease, it looks like the Knight Riders might have to wait a little longer for their victory. KKR need 22 off 48 balls.

After 11 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 115/2 ( Robin Uthappa 11 , Shubman Gill 1)

Lynn smashes the ball over the midwicket fence off the second delivery, collecting a single off the next ball to bring up his fifty. However, his innings comes to an end two deliveries later as he holes out to Midhun at deep backward square leg. 10 runs and a wicket off Gopal’s third over. KKR need 25 off 54 balls.

OUT! Lynn attempts to heave the ball over the square-leg fence, but doesn’t get the distance, as Midhun collects the catch near the boundary rope. Gopal collects his second wicket of the evening. KKR 114/2

Lynn c Midhun b Gopal 50(32)

Fifty up for Chris Lynn off just 31 balls! Gets to the milestone with a single in the 11th over. KKR 113/1

SIX! Right out of the screws, and Lynn manages to land the ball on the windscreen of the promotional car that’s put on display beyond the midwicket fence. KKR 112/1

Highest stands for KKR v RR in IPL:

152* – Jacques Kallis/Gautam Gambhir, Jaipur, 2011
121 – Robin Uthappa/Gautam Gambhir, Ahmedabad, 2014
111* – Sourav Ganguly/Cheteshwar Pujara, Kolkata, 2010
91 – Sunil Narine/Chris Lynn, Jaipur, 2019*
78* – Jacques Kallis/Yusuf Pathan, Kolkata, 2013

After 10 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 105/1 ( Chris Lynn 43 , Robin Uthappa 9)

Uthappa starts off with a cracking drive through extra cover to collect his first boundary, following it up by guiding the ball towards third man for three. Lynn brings up the 100 for KKR with a boundary off the next delivery, and collects a single off the penultimate delivery. Uthappa collects a single off the last ball. KKR need just 35 off 60 balls.

FOUR! Lynn slashes the ball, edging it through the vacant slip region, and short third man eventually loses the race; KKR 103/1

Finally the home team gets something to cheer for. Narine was in a mood for an early finish tonight. But finally the opening partnership is broken. However, the job has been done. The asking rate less than five now and stage is set for the middle-order to close this game within the 15th or 16th over.

FOUR! Crashed through the off side by Uthappa off a full delivery from Midhun! KKR 96/1

After 9 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 93/1 ( Chris Lynn 38 , Robin Uthappa 2)

Gopal continues from the other end. Lynn smashes the ball over deep square-leg for a six off the first delivery, and collects a single off the next ball. Narine departs after bottom-edging the ball to Smith, who takes a sharp catch at slip. Uthappa gets off the mark with a single off the last ball of the over. Eight runs and a wicket off the over.

OUT! The partnership is finally broken, as Narine gets a bottom edge while looking to heave the ball towards the off side, with Smith taking a fine catch at slip. KKR 91/1

Narine c Smith b Gopal 47(25)

SIX! Down on one knee, and slog-swept over the square-leg fence by Lynn! KKR 90/0

After 8 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 84/0 ( Chris Lynn 31 , Sunil Narine 47)

Sudeshan Midhun, making his debut today, is brought into the attack. Lynn collects a single of the first, followed by a wide. Appeal for lbw against Narine, but was pitched outside leg, with two leg byes coming off it. Narine gets down on one knee, and smashes the ball over the midwicket fence for his second maximum. Another lbw appeal by Midhun, this time off the penultimate delivery, but is once again turned down. Narine ends the over with another big hit, this time over cow corner. 16 off the over!

SIX! Narine again on one knee, this time clears the cow corner fence! Cries of ‘CAAAATCH’, but the fielder standing there had no chance. KKR 84/0

SIX! Narine gets down on one knee, and clears the midwicket fence with ease! KKR 78/0

Shreyas Gopal in T20s in 2019:
Overs : 32.4, Wickets : 19, Average : 9.89

After 7 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 68/0 ( Chris Lynn 30 , Sunil Narine 35)

Shreyas Gopal is brought into the attack in the seventh over, and he starts off with a tidy one, conceding just three. KKR, meanwhile, are running away with the game. RR need a wicket or two to halt their charge.

After 6 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 65/0 ( Chris Lynn 25 , Sunil Narine 34)

Narine smacks the ball towards the leg side off the second and third deliveries, collecting a four and a two respectively. Smacks the ball towards long on for a boundary off the fourth. Wide off the penultimate delivery. 11 off the over. End of what turned out to be a terrific powerplay for KKR. Umpire signals timeout at the end of the over.

Both these KKR batters might be lucky to still stay at the crease but they are making the most out it. The visitors need less than run a ball right now. Feel Rajasthan made a mistake by bowling a spinner to Narine inside the powerplay. The left-hander loves such situations. That over has got him going.

FOUR! Long on had been moved to deep midwicket, and Narine simply changed the direction of his slog, hitting it down the ground on this occasion! KKR 64/0

FOUR! Heaved away towards the midwicket fence, where the ball lands between two converging fielders, bounces once before crossing over the rope. KKR 58/0

After 5 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 54/0 ( Chris Lynn 25 , Sunil Narine 24)

Lynn shuffles down the track and lofts the ball over long on to bring up the fifty stand. Quick single to the Aussie off the third delivery. Leg bye off the next ball. Eight off the over.

SIX! Lynn brings up the fifty partnership with Narine, advancing down the track and clubbing the ball over long on! KKR 52/0

After 4 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 46/0 ( Chris Lynn 18 , Sunil Narine 24)

DROPPED! Tripathi puts down a chance at backward point after a miscue by Narine off Kulkarni, who comes in from a different end. BOWLED! Lynn gets an inside edge, with the ball clipping the leg stump, but the bail fails to get dislodged! Kulkarni cannot believe his luck! Meanwhile, the ball runs away to the fine leg fence, and is counted as four byes. Lynn then smashes the ball towards the midwicket fence to extend the bowler’s misery. Dot to end the over. KKR need less than 100 with 16 overs and all 10 wickets at their disposal.

FOUR! Heaved towards the midwicket fence by Lynn! KKR 45/0

After 3 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 36/0 ( Chris Lynn 13 , Sunil Narine 23)

Jofra Archer replaces Dhawal Kulkarni, and bowls a much better over than the first two. Concedes a total of four runs, all of which are collected off the third delivery in which Lynn guides the ball towards the wide third man fence for a boundary.

Just what the doctor ordered for KKR. Narine and Lynn get the ball rolling in style. In a small run-chase if the batting side gets 2-3 high scoring overs right at the top, it dents opposition’s confidence. And that’s what is happening here.

Sunil Narine hit a boundary (4 or 6) every three balls in IPL 2018. (Total – 63 boundaries)

FOUR! Hammered towards the wide third man boundary to collect his third boundary; KKR 36/0

After 2 overs,Kolkata Knight Riders 32/0 ( Chris Lynn 9 , Sunil Narine 23)

Rahane brings spinner Gowtham in from the other end, and starts off on a nightmarish note, as Narine smacks four fours and a six in the over, with 22 coming off it.

FOUR! Gowtham’s taken a serious beating at the hands of Narine, who ends the over with a slog down the ground to collect his fourth four. KKR 32/0

FOUR! It’s raining boundaries for Narine! This one’s swept over the man at short fine! KKR 28/0

FOUR! Narine’s starting to dominate spinner Gowtham! Heaved towards the square-leg fence! KKR 28/0

SIX! Narine goes big over long on! First six of the innings! KKR 20/0

Lynn has played four matches against RR in IPL (1 for DC and 3 for KKR) and was part of a winning team on each occasion.

FOUR! Swivelled away behind square-leg has Narine! First boundary to the West Indian! KKR 14/0

After 1 over,Kolkata Knight Riders 10/0 ( Chris Lynn 9 , Sunil Narine 1)

Lynn gets the first runs on the board for KKR with an inside-edge off the second delivery, the ball then running away to the fine leg fence. Single collected off the next two balls. Lynn smashes the ball through the cover region off the penultimate ball, collecting another boundary. Dot to end the over, with 10 coming off it.

FOUR! This one’s crashed through the cover region by Lynn! Two boundaries already for the Aussie opener! KKR 10/0

FOUR! Lynn gets an inside edge that narrowly misses the leg stump, and runs away to the fine leg fence! KKR 4/0

Chris Lynn walks out to open the KKR innings with Sunil Narine, with Dhawal Kulkarni bowling the first over.

Gurney showing some skills in IPL 2019

I want a closer look at that Gurney slower ball, the one bowled cross seam off cut. Seam rotation is almost perpendicular to the trajectory of the ball. And so it scoots through low, doesn't sit up. Stunning skill.#RRvKKR

— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) April 7, 2019

Lowest totals batting first losing three or less wickets in IPL:

139/3 – RR v KKR, Jaipur, 2019*
146/2 – PW v Delhi, Pune, 2012
150/3 – Delhi v RR, Bloemfontien, 2009

Decent comeback this by KKR bowlers in the last five overs as they gave away only 36 during this phase. However, Steven Smith’s knock has provided Rajasthan bowlers something to bowl at on this slow pitch. Remember, they too have the wrist-spinners like Shreyas Gopal and Sudhesan Midhun who can trouble the KKR batsmen. And despite the Russell factor, I feel, the likes of Narine and Lynn need to go hard at the top and attack these relatively inexperienced Rajasthan bowlers in the powerplay.

RPO for RR today:

First 10 overs : 5.60 
Last 10 overs : 8.30

Harry Gurney: It was nice to get assistance from the pitch. I practice as much as I can (with the slower balls). Loved IPL. Amazing experience.

After 20 overs,Rajasthan Royals 139/3 ( Steven Smith 73 , Ben Stokes 7)

KKR need 140 to win. 

So RR ends with 139 on the board. It is a slow pitch and they would have liked to reach at least 150 but none of the set batsmen could hit the ball consistently. Smith with a fine knock of 73 made of 59 balls. We will be back with the chase in a while.

FOUR! Beautifull played by Smith, fuller in length and he stays his ground, just opens the blade, and manoeuvres the ball through the gully region for a boundary

After 19 overs,Rajasthan Royals 131/3 ( Steven Smith 66 , Ben Stokes 6)

Krishna bowling in 140s. A few blows to Stokes in the over. Got hit on a slower ball, then a beamer knocked him over. Krishna building up pace in the over but bowled here and there. Did not have the kind of discipline he bowls with. RR get 12 in the over.

Pitch hasn’t been an easy one to bat on. Plus the disciplined approach from the KKR bowlers

A laborious performance from the Rajasthan Royals batters, just not able to get anything off the middle of the bat. Combination of the wicket and clever bowling #ipl2019 #RRvKKR

— Sanjjeev (@Sanjjeev) April 7, 2019

FOUR! Yorker length, outside the off stump, at 148 kph, Smith somehow manages to bring bat down and touch it, ball takes the edge and beats Karthik for boundary behind the stumps.

After 18 overs,Rajasthan Royals 119/3 ( Steven Smith 62 , Ben Stokes 3)

Narine back on and Smith gets a repreival on the first ball. LBW appeal turned down by umpire and third umpire. He went big on the third ball. Stokes tried reverse-sweep on the last ball, could collect just 1. Ball is not coming on the bat easily.

Food for thought for the RR camp…

Have to say @rajasthanroyals are not getting the best out of @benstokes38 ... He needs to be higher up the order ... #JustSaying #IPL2019

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 7, 2019

SIX! MASSIVE, Smith comes out of the crease and heave it using his huge back lift and the fast speed of the bat, that went almost out of the park in the leg side.

After 17 overs,Rajasthan Royals 111/3 ( Steven Smith 55 , Ben Stokes 2)

Stokes struggling to get going as well. He changed his gloves as he was not able to grip the bat properly. That did not help in playing his strokes. Three overs left and let’s see how much can RR manage in the end.

Harry Gurney’s slow balls are very hard to pick. The left-armer is not only very deceptive with his action, his lengths are mostly full when bowls his variations. Batsman hardly gets any time to check his shots.

After 16 overs,Rajasthan Royals 106/3 ( Steven Smith 52 , Ben Stokes 0)

Gurney comes into the attack and has picked up his second wicket. He is turning out to be a big difference for KKR in this match. In three overs, has given only 17 and taken 2 wickets. DK will be super happy with this effort. Tripathi departs, Stokes walks in. RR should not mind it, knowing only 4 overs to go here.

Ajinkya Rahane certainly has had a hard time getting his side ideal starts…

When will #RR decide that opening with Rahane is a waste of time? Last year, D’Arcy Short, this year Rahane...these guys never learn🤷🏻‍♂️ #RRvKKR

— Hemant (@hemantbuch) April 7, 2019

OUT! Gurney comes into the attack and delivers straghtaway, slower ball, Tripathi could not spot it, checked his shot and the ball went up in the air. Chawla caught it safely on the cover. R Tripathi c Chawla b Gurney 6(8)​

Wonderful half-century this is by Steve Smith. He has held this innings together following that early wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. And now, he is the key for the hosts if they have to get a good total.

After 15 overs,Rajasthan Royals 103/2 ( Steven Smith 50 , Rahul Tripathi 5)

Krishna returns to the attack. Good over for RR. Two boundaries in the over, square of the wicket on both sides. Smith reaches fifty off 44 balls. 100 up for RR as well. Good knock so far but he needs to take the team to a good total. 150 maybe. Time-out called.

FOUR! Slow, short and on leg side, bread and butter for Smith, he pulls it away to deep fine leg using the full flow of bat and huge back lift.

FOUR! Finally, a boundary for RR and Smith, short and wide, Smith cuts it away to backward point for a fine boundary.

Lowest SRs for Jos Buttler in an IPL innings: (Min. 20 balls faced)

76.19 v GL, Wankhede, 2016
106.45 v GL, Kanpur, 2016
108.33 v GL, Wankhede, 2017
108.82 v KKR, Jaipur, 2019*
127.27 v KKR, Wankhede, 2017

After 14 overs,Rajasthan Royals 91/2 ( Steven Smith 39 , Rahul Tripathi 4)

Still, RR dealing in singles. Smith playing well but is finding it difficult to hit big against quality spin bowling. Tripathi is the new man in and you wonder if this was a good decision. Stokes could have been a better choice at this stage.

After 13 overs,Rajasthan Royals 84/2 ( Steven Smith 38 , Rahul Tripathi 1)

Chawla comes back and he completes his spell. 19 runs and no wicket. Did a decent job. Runs have dried up for RR. Smith struggling to get a move on here. Just 6 off the over.

Kuldeep is bowling far too quickly to my liking. He is one of the premier spinners in the world right now and on a surface like this, one should expect him to trouble the batters. Perhaps, the lack of wickets in this season has hurt his confidence and at this point, he just doesn’t want to go for runs.

Meanwhile, Gurney has started brilliantly tonight. He has done his homework and not allowing much pace to the batsmen to work with. Jos Buttler has realised that for sure. His wicket at this stage can turn the tide in favour of KKR.

After 12 overs,Rajasthan Royals 78/2 ( Steven Smith 33 , Rahul Tripathi 0)

Buttler hits a six and then tries to go big again but has fallen in that attempt. Was looking good and KKR should be happy that this wicket has come at the right time. Gurney gets his first wicket in IPL.

OUT! Another attempt by Buttler, this time to clear the long-on ropes, he does not connect that well, and while when the ball went up in the air it appeared as if it will clear the boundary easily, as the camera dropped down, Gill was standing right at the ropes and caught it beautifully. Buttler c Shubman Gill b Gurney 37(34)

SIX! BLUDGEONED REALLY!

Short ball, slower in pace from Gurney and Buttler waits and waits and waits, then hammers it away over the backward square leg for a maximum.

After 11 overs,Rajasthan Royals 67/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 30 , Steven Smith 30)

Kuldeep continues from the other end. Almost got Smith, got an edge off his bat but it flew over the vacant slip region. Unlucky as the ball raced away for four. It deserved a wicket. Now a bowler’s game at all. Good over for RR. 11 came off it.

FOUR! Reverse-sweep comes into play yet again for Buttler, and it went at rocket speed through point, where Lynn made a half-hearted effort.

FOUR! Wrong’un from Kuldeep, was not picked well by Smith, took the leading edge off his bat and ran for four to third man. Kuldeep must be gutted as this was a wicket-taking ball.

After 10 overs,Rajasthan Royals 56/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 25 , Steven Smith 24)

Debutant Harry Gurney, left-arm fast medium, brought into the attack. Gentle medium pace from him. 3 off the over. 10 overs have been bowled, RR 56 for 1. They need to quickly make their mind about the total they want. One over, the are looking to play shots, the next over, they are looking to play defensively. RCB has fallen prey to such approach earlier in the day.

Buttler or Smith? Who among the two will score big today?

No pace in the pitch. Looks a low scoring match. Yet Rajasthan need 160 I think to counter KKR's strong batting which includes Russell who's been hitting the ball like Godzilla. It's a decent start. One from Butler and Smith has to bat through to make it a likely winning score

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 7, 2019

Sensible batting this by both Smith and Buttler. They are taking their time and so far the shot selections have been quite impressive. The duo understands that on this pitch you don’t need those 180s or 190s. Here 160 can be more than competitive.

Kuldeep Yadav against RR in IPL : 1/18, 4/20, 1/23

After 9 overs,Rajasthan Royals 53/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 24 , Steven Smith 22)

Fifty up for RR in the ninth over. Buttler and Smith looking better with every ball. Playing spin better bow. Time-out has been taken. Both teams need a little bit of chat from here. 10 came in this over.

FOUR! Sweeped! Flight again and Smith sits on his one knee and brings into play conventional sweep, collects boundary at backward square leg.

FOUR! Jos Buttler reverse-sweep, Kuldeep flights the ball and Buttler sees an opportunity to do something orthodox and it has worked for him.

After 8 overs,Rajasthan Royals 43/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 19 , Steven Smith 17)

Narine continues. Finally, RR have been able to collect a boundary in this over. Narine got everyone interested with an LBW appeal on the last ball. Wanted a review but captain DK convinced him to not take it.

FOUR! Much-needed boundary for RR and Steve Smith, first for him in the innings, a little short in length from Narine, and Smith put it away for four to backward point.

After 7 overs,Rajasthan Royals 35/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 19 , Steven Smith 11)

More spin from KKR as Kuldeep Yadav, left-arm chinaman, brought into the attack. Starts off with a dot. Two off the next next ball, followed by two singles. Smith collects two more on the fifth ball. Ends the over with a single. 7 off the over.

After 6 overs,Rajasthan Royals 28/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 18 , Steven Smith 5)

Sunil Narine, right-arm off break, brought into the attack. The powerplay belongs to KKR. Just 28 came in the first 6 overs and one wicket. Both Buttler and Smith finding it hard to get going. 3 off the sixth over.

After 5 overs,Rajasthan Royals 25/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 16 , Steven Smith 4)

Chawla continues and he has done a decent job in this match. He has varied his pace well. Bowled loopy deliveries and then fired some balls into Buttler. Top over. Just 2 off it.

This seems to me like a 150-160 wicket. The ball is gripping the surface and the boundaries here at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium are huge. Feel on this pitch, against slow bowlers, it won’t be easy for the power-hitting to up the ante right from the word go. Meanwhile, for KKR, it’s a perfect set-up for Kuldeep and Narine to get into their acts quickly.

After 4 overs,Rajasthan Royals 23/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 15 , Steven Smith 3)

Krishna continues and this team he has leaked runs. Buttler showing his class. Two boundaries and then three singles. RR started off badly but on the move now. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Innovation from Buttler, ball pitched outside the off stump, Buttler shuffles across, plays the scoop and the ball goes to deep fine leg for a boundary.

FOUR! Slower delivery from Krishna, on the legs of Buttler, and he guides it to the deep mid-wicket boundary very easily, quick outfield means the fielder chasing the ball had no chance.

Let’s see how the Englishmen fares on his debut, and whether he has any tricks up his sleeve to make up for the lack of pace. 

Gurney doesn't have the pace. Usually it is very difficult for such type of pacers to survive in IPL, so it will be interesting to see how well he starts and how long he survives.

Bravo is the only exception to this, and he compensated for it with his brains.

— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) April 7, 2019

After 3 overs,Rajasthan Royals 12/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 5 , Steven Smith 2)

Chawla continues. Smith has come into bat at No 3. It will be interesting to see how he goes on this number. A boundary at the start of the over but Chawla pulled it back well. 6 runs in the over.

FOUR! Wrong’un but the ball was too short really, Buttler liked it, rocked back and pulled it away for four to backward square leg.

Steve Smith at Jaipur in IPL:

37, 20, 38

And there you go, a fast bowler gets the early breakthrough. Prasidh Krishna is by far KKR’s best pacer in this edition of IPL. And on a slow pitch like this, where ball is holding the surface, his accuracy and variations can trouble the batters.

After 2 overs,Rajasthan Royals 6/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 0 , Steven Smith 1)

Prasidh Krishna, right-arm medium, into the attack and removes Rahane on the first ball of the over. How good has this bowler been for KKR. Has bowled well right at the start and has shown great character at the death. Steve Smith has joined Buttler at the crease. Just 1 off this over and a wicket. Great start for KKR.

Ok, Karthik has gone with spin early. Perhaps, he doesn’t want Buttler to start against pacers, which is his strong point.

OUT! Rahane caught in front of the wickets, Krishna from the other end, brings it in, and Rahane tried to flick the ball to mid-wicket, missed it completely, ball hit the pads on the back foot, umpire raised the finger straightaway after the appeal, Rahane discussed the possibility of taking a review with Buttler, who decided against it. Rahane removed for 5**. Rahane lbw b Prasidh 5(7)**

Can the RR skipper get a fifty today?

Rahane’s last five innings against KKR in IPL : 46, 11, 36, 11, 46

After 1 over, Rajasthan Royals 5/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane (C) 5 , Jos Buttler (W) 0)

KKR begin with spin upfront. Commentators say there is not a blade of grass on the pitch. Maybe that’s why Karthik does not want to give any starting advantage to the home team and has taken the pace off. Three dot balls from Chawla and then Rahane swept him for a boundary. Single off the last ball, that makes it five from the over.

Piyush Chawla’s 17 wickets against RR in IPL – the second most by any player, behind Amit Mishra (27).

DID YOU KNOW?

Jos Buttler has scored fifty-plus runs in each of his previous four IPL matches at Jaipur.

FOUR! Three quiet ball for Rahane and he decided to sweep Chawla off the pitch for a boundary to deep mid-wicket.

KKR have conceded more than 180 in all their previous four matches. So, their bowling needs to raise their game. I would like to see Gurney running in with the new ball straightway. Karthik should attack with pace in the powerplay.

Alright, Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler walk out to the middle. Uthappa has come out to field with a mask on, because there has been sand storm in Jaipur this evening. Anyway, Rahane to take the strike and Piyush Chawla, right arm leg break, will bowl the first over.

Dinesh Karthik is making habit of winning these crucial tosses. And he has no hesitation to bat second. Chasing is their strength and they will stick to their combination. 

Meanwhile, English pacer, Harry Gurney comes in the XI in place of Lockie Ferguson. The Leicestershire pacer Gurney is known for his pace and he will enjoy bowling on this Jaipur pitch.

KKR defeated RR in all the three matches which they played against them in 2018.

RR have a 9-9 record against KKR in IPL.

Rajasthan Royals XI: Ajinkya Rahane(c), Jos Buttler(w), Steven Smith, Rahul Tripathi, Ben Stokes, Prashant Chopra, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Dhawal Kulkarni, Sudhesan Midhun

Kolkata Knight Riders XI: Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik(w/c), Shubman Gill, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Harry Gurney, Prasidh Krishna

KKR changes: Ferguson out for KKR and Harry Gurney comes in

RR changes: Prashant Chopra comes in for Stuart Binny. Midhun comes in for Varun Aaron

Toss News: Dinesh Karthik wins toss and KKR will field first.

Meanwhile, DC have beaten RCB by four wickets. Sixth loss for RCB in as many games. You can catch the highlights of the game here .

KKR’ Andre Russell is the flavour of the ongoing IPL, but Rajasthan Royals spinner Krishnappa Gowtham said they have plans in place to counter the hard-hitting West Indian batsman. Click here to find out more.

RR cricketer Ben Stokes has finally opened up on the Bristol bar brawl case. He said it was the “best thing that could have happened,” but why?  Click here to find out.

High on confidence after their maiden victory, RR look to carry the momentum by exploiting familiar conditions when they host a rampaging KKR at Jaipur. The visitors will also be brimming with confidence with their batsmen Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Robin Uthappa and Shubhman Gill in top form. Click here to read the match preview.

Sandstorm at Jaipur stadium ahead of tonight’s clash!

Shariah like situation in Jaipur as sandstorm envelops SMS Stadium. Pitch has now been covered. #RRvKKR pic.twitter.com/HvODK5BYuj

— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) April 7, 2019

The result of RCB vs DC clash will have no impact on the top standings of IPL 2019 points table. CSK are top and click here to find out who follow them closely.

Meanwhile, an intriguing match is underway at Bengaluru between RCB and DC. The visiting side need 54 runs in 8 overs to win. Click here to follow the live updates.

KKR come into the match with a sensational win against RCB as Andre Russell played another quickfire match winning innings during their chase. RR come into the match after a four-day break. Their last match also brought their first win of the season, also against RCB. KKR have so far won three of four games.

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s LIVE coverage of the IPL encounter between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders from Jaipur.