KKR vs DC Ball by Ball Commentary

2:05 PM IST That's all from this match! Delhi's 4-match winning streak has been broken and by doing so, Kolkata have kept their hopes alive in this season. The next clash of the evening involves Mumbai and Punjab and the action is about to begin at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT). Switch tabs and do join us. Cheers!

2:05 PM IST Sunil Narine has been picked for the Man of the Match award for his match-winning cameo. He also had amazing bowling figures of 4-0-18-2 in the game.

2:05 PM IST Earlier in the day, Delhi struggled on a challenging surface. Steven Smith and Rishabh Pant put up a little bit of resistance and took Delhi to a fighting total and their bowlers also fought bravely. A special mention for Avesh Khan who bowled his heart out and claimed a 3-wicket haul. The knock of Shubman Gill upfront was very handy and then the rest chipped in as well. This chase could have become very tight had Sunil Narine not taken Kagiso Rabada to the cleaners in the 16th over. Once the momentum was stolen there, Kolkata easily closed the game with 10 balls to spare.

1:48 PM IST A bit of a bumpy ride but Kolkata have reached home safely! A target of 128 was always going to be tricky on this sluggish surface but the positive approach of Kolkata made it easy for them. Their openers once again succeeded in setting the tone and despite losing two wickets in the Powerplay, Kolkata managed to score decently. Delhi unleashed their army of spinners and it did become slightly scary for Kolkata at one stage. There were a few moments when the chase started to drift away from them but Nitish Rana stood at one end like a rock and his useful stands with Dinesh Karthik and Sunil Narine helped the 2-time champions in crossing the line.

10:45 AM IST FOUR! Bang! Kolkata win by 3 wickets! Superb shot. Back of a length, around off, Nitish Rana goes deep inside the crease and whacks it over backward point. Kagiso Rabada, in the deep, dives across to his left but it beats his attempt and finds the fence.

1:37 PM IST Mix-up but no harm done! A bit short and on middle, Nitish works it gently to the leg side and initially looks for a run. Lockie Ferguson responds but is sent back after that. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end.

1:36 PM IST Lockie Ferguson is the new man in.

1:36 PM IST OUT! Bowled! Avesh Khan has another. His season is getting better and better. A bit short in length around off, Southee stays back to heave it over the leg side but gets a thick inside edge onto the stumps. 50 wickets in T20s for Avesh Khan and he has a smile on his face. Kolkata need 2 runs to win.

1:35 PM IST Pitches it up and around off, Rana pushes it gently to the right of mid off for one.

1:34 PM IST Direct hit would have been close. Fuller and on off, Southee drills it to mid off and rushes for a single. Rabada misses his shy at the bowler's end. 3 needed more.

1:33 PM IST In the air... Safe! Short in length, around off, Southee top-edges his attempted pull to deep square leg. It falls safely, away from the diving attempt of the fielder in the deep and they take two.

1:32 PM IST Slower one, on a length around off, Tim drags it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

1:32 PM IST Around off, on a length, Southee closes the face of his bat and pushes it to mid-wicket.

1:32 PM IST Avesh Khan (2-0-9-2) comes back to bowl.

1:31 PM IST Sharp delivery, outside off, Rana pushes and misses. Fine over from Anrich Nortje. 3 from it. 6 needed more for a win.

1:31 PM IST Tim Southee is the new man in.

1:30 PM IST OUT! Narine is gone! A needless shot but this is how he bats! Back of a length, outside off, Sunil Narine camps back to smack it through the line but it takes the top edge and flies to extra cover. Axar Patel is underneath it. End of a match-winning knock, possibly.

1:29 PM IST PANT IN PAIN! Sharp delivery, that's quick. Nortje bowls it with a cross-seam and lands it on a length close to off, Rana tries to cut but misses. It goes to Pant and moves towards his right. He tries to collect it but misses. That brushes his fingertips and deflects away. They cross for a bye. Physio comes out.

1:26 PM IST Wide! An attempted slower one by Anrich. It goes wrong though. Too wide outside off and Rana makes a leave.

1:26 PM IST Full toss on middle, Narine goes back and hits it to the left of the mid-wicket fielder. They cross for a run.

1:25 PM IST Another miss! Slower one, on a length and outside off, Narine is very early with the swing of his bat and misses.

1:25 PM IST Swing and a miss! Anrich Nortje fires across a yorker-length delivery outside off, Narine tries to make contact but misses.

1:26 PM IST Strategic Time-Out! Well, the game was evenly poised before the 16th over but it has now drifted towards Kolkata and they need just 9 runs from 24 balls now! Kagiso Rabada lost his radar in the previous over and Sunil Narine has taken full toll of it! A gem of an innings from him and well supported by Nitish Rana. Anrich Nortje comes to bowl the 17th over for Delhi.

1:22 PM IST Slower one probably, shortish and outside off, Narine hits it firmly to covers where the fielder makes a half-stop only. A single to end the over, 21 from it and only 9 needed more.

1:21 PM IST SIX! Sunil Narine has muscled this one as well. Again the length is on the shorter side, Narine loves it there and spanks it over mid-wicket. One no ball has put off Rabada here.

1:20 PM IST FOUR! Narine is driving Kolkata home here with his bat. This one is right from the meat of the bat. Slightly short and on middle, Narine clears his front leg and clobbers it over square leg for a boundary.

1:19 PM IST SIX! Not from the middle of the bat but it has gone the distance. Short and on middle, Narine hangs back to pull but it takes the top edge and flies over fine leg. Lands flush on the rope it seems.

1:18 PM IST Hammered down the ground! Full toss on middle, Narine smashes it over the bowler's head and collects two.

1:18 PM IST A low full toss outside off, Rana pushes it through covers for a single. Rabada has overstepped. It's a no ball. Free Hit to follow...

1:17 PM IST Sharp delivery at 135 clicks, a bit short and around leg, Rana defends it back towards the bowler.

1:17 PM IST Kagiso Rabada (2-1-7-1) is back into the attack.

1:16 PM IST Fuller and outside off, slower in pace, Rana drives it through cover-point for a run. 2 runs and a wicket from the over, 30 needed off 30 balls, exciting stuff!

1:15 PM IST Shortish around middle, Narine stays back and guides it to third man for a single.

1:14 PM IST Sunil Narine is the new man in.

1:15 PM IST OUT! SOUND OF TIMBER! Dinesh Karthik runs out of luck. A sequence of dot balls and there is a wicket for Avesh Khan. The slower one does the trick. It's a bit on the shorter side, around off at 126 kph, Karthik stays back inside the crease and tries to run it down to third man. The ball though arrives late, takes the inner portion of his bat and disturbs the stumps behind. This game takes another twist. 32 needed off 32 balls, 5 wickets in the bank for Kolkata.

1:12 PM IST Khan darts it in, on a fuller length around middle, Karthik shows the full face of the bat and digs it out back to the bowler.

1:11 PM IST Play and a miss! Short in length, around off, DK stands back and tries to help his pull shot on the leg side but misses.

1:10 PM IST Karthik almost drags it on! The luck is surely with him at the moment. Avesh bowls it on a length around off, Karthik tries to defend but it takes the bottom edge and goes very closely past the sticks.

1:11 PM IST Avesh Khan (1-0-7-1) is back into the attack.

1:09 PM IST Shorter one, around off, DK pulls it in front of square leg for a run. 20 from the over and in the context of this game, it's fatal for Delhi. 32 needed off 36 balls.

1:08 PM IST FOUR! DK, the master of edges! Gets another boundary for Kolkata. This over has released all the pressure. Quicker one, fired wide outside off, Karthik got back to cut but it took the outside edge and ran away to the third man fence.

1:07 PM IST Flatter and on middle, short in length, Nitish goes back and helps it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

1:07 PM IST SIX! Rana is targeting Yadav here. Quicker, flatter and fuller on off, Nitish Rana sits down on one knee and smokes it over wide long on for another maximum. 38 needed off 39 balls now.

1:06 PM IST SIX! This will help in bringing down the asking rate that has climbed up in the last few overs. Rana uses his feet to a full ball outside off and launches it behind the bowler's head for a maximum.

1:05 PM IST Flatter one, short and around off, Rana goes deep inside the crease and cuts it past backward point for two.

1:05 PM IST Lalit Yadav (2-0-15-1) comes back into the attack.

1:04 PM IST Back of a length, on off at 135.7 kph, Karthik is on his toes as he punches it to covers. Two dots to end the over, 52 needed off 42 balls.

1:03 PM IST Again it's short and sharp around off, at 141 clicks, Karthik pushes inside the line and misses.

1:03 PM IST FOUR! Lucky boundary, that helps in calming down the nerves. Short in length and outside off, Karthik flashes his blade at it and edges it down to third man for a boundary.

1:02 PM IST Good placement from DK!  Pitches it up and around off, Karthik drives it past the left side of mid off and collects a couple of runs.

1:01 PM IST Fuller and around off, angling in, DK gets forward and defends it back to the bowler.

1:01 PM IST Back of a length, around leg, Rana tucks it behind square leg for a single.

12:59 PM IST Another excellent over for Delhi! Loopy ball, around off. Dinesh Karthik blocks it off the front foot. End of Ashwin's fantastic spell, 1/24 in his 4 overs. 59 runs needed from 48 balls.

12:59 PM IST Tossed up, around middle and leg. Dinesh Karthik flicks it but finds the mid-wicket fielder.

12:58 PM IST Flatter and quicker, outside off. Nitish Rana eases it down the ground for a single.

12:58 PM IST Floated, outside off. Dinesh Karthik presses forward and pushes it to cover-point for a run. He gets off the mark straightaway!

1:21 PM IST Kolkata are in a spot of bother. In comes Dinesh Karthik.

12:57 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! Eoin Morgan's poor run of form continues and Ravichandran Ashwin is ecstatic! What a bowler! This one is bowled a shade flatter and shorter around off, the ball lands and straightens as Morgan rocks back to punch it through the line. It takes the outside edge and Lalit Yadav makes no mistake at first slip. Ashwin is running in celebration!

12:55 PM IST Tossed up, around off. Eoin Morgan stays back to cut but he gets a bottom edge and the ball goes to point.

12:54 PM IST Eoin Morgan is the new batsman. 61 needed off 54 balls.

12:55 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! A wicket maiden! Rabada has brought Delhi back into this game! What a fine, fine over from him! He serves a slower ball, into the pitch. Gill looks to heave it away but it goes off the top edge and the ball loops up in the air towards long on. Shreyas Iyer settles under it there and gulps it down.

12:52 PM IST Five dots in a row! Good-length ball, on off. Shubman Gill taps it to backward point and looks for a run but is sent back by Rana.

12:52 PM IST Excellent bowling! A yorker, around off. Gill digs it out back to the bowler.

12:51 PM IST Good-length ball, angling in from middle. Gill tucks it to mid-wicket.

12:51 PM IST Slower and fuller, outside off. Shubman Gill looks to drive but he gets deceived and works it to mid off in the end.

12:50 PM IST Back of a length, around off. Shubman Gill taps it to backward point.

12:51 PM IST Kagiso Rabada is inserted into the attack now.

12:49 PM IST A dot to end! Outside off, this is played to point off the outside portion of the bat. 61 needed more at the halfway mark.

12:48 PM IST Two more! Slightly shorter in length again and outside off, this is cut through point. Another couple.

12:48 PM IST Slower through the air and on off, blocked to the off side.

12:47 PM IST Under-edge saves Rana! Quicker through the air, Rana tries to play the reverse sweep but gets an under-edge onto the pads. An appeal but turned down.

12:47 PM IST Two! Shorter and outside off, this one grips off the surface. Spins away. Rana slashes and does so really hard. It goes off the top edge but since he slashed hard, it goes over point for two.

12:46 PM IST Tossed up outside off, this is hit through covers for one.

12:47 PM IST Strategic Time-Out! Kolkata would be the happier of the two sides going into this break even though they have lost two wickets. Shubman Gill has held one end and he has played really well so far. However, he needs to bat deeper into the innings as the wicket is not easy to bat on, especially for new batters coming in. Delhi will have to keep picking up wickets if they are to win this game. They have already spent 6 overs combined of Axar and Ashwin and will have to use their bowling choices smartly.

12:42 PM IST FOUR! That releases the pressure if there was any! On the pads, Rana goes down on one knee and sweeps it behind square on the leg side. Boundary. The last ball spoils the over. 66 needed in 66.

12:41 PM IST Angled into the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

12:40 PM IST On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

12:40 PM IST Gill comes down the track and pushes it down to long off for one. He came down to hit the big shot but did not get to the pitch of it.

12:39 PM IST Now plays the paddle sweep, it is more like a paddle scoop towards fine leg for one.

12:39 PM IST Rana looks to play the reverse sweep. This is bowled very slow and down the leg side. Rana misses.

12:38 PM IST Tries to play the reverse sweep, hits it to the man at point. Just 2 from the over, Delhi need many more of these quiet overs to build the scoreboard pressure.

12:38 PM IST Again! Gives it air and lands it on off, it is kept out.

12:37 PM IST Angles it into the off pole line, defended.

12:37 PM IST On middle, this is worked towards square leg for one.

12:37 PM IST Floats it up on off, Rana blocks.

12:36 PM IST This one stays low! Shorter and outside off, it does not bounce a lot. Gill guides it towards point for one.

12:35 PM IST Loopy ball, on leg. Shubman Gill flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. 8 from the over, 76 needed off 78 balls.

12:35 PM IST Floated, around off. Shubman Gill pushes it back to the bowler.

12:34 PM IST SIX! Just over the long on fielder! Tossed up, on off. Shubman Gill looks to slog-sweep but it goes off the toe end of the bat and in the air towards long on. Steven Smith there jumps to take the catch but the ball probably brushes his fingers and goes over the rope.

12:34 PM IST A tad short, outside off. Shubman Gill cuts hard but finds the point fielder.

12:34 PM IST Flatter ball, on off. Shubman Gill pushes it back to the bowler.

12:33 PM IST Tossed up, on middle. Nitish Rana works it to long on for a run.

12:35 PM IST Ravichandran Ashwin is back on.

12:32 PM IST Sliding down the leg side, Rana tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to short fine leg and they pinch a leg bye. Kolkata are 44/2 at the end of the Powerplay, 84 needed off 84 balls!

12:32 PM IST Nitish Rana walks out to bat.

12:33 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! Avesh Khan is ecstatic. This is another big wicket for Delhi as Rahul Tripathi is an attacking batsman. Clever bowling by Khan. He lets out a slower one on a length outside off, at 123.7 kph. Rahul fails to read the variation and is early into his shot. He chips it tamely to the left of mid off and Steven Smith moves across swiftly to complete the catch. Delhi need to keep taking wickets to stay in the hunt.

12:29 PM IST Short and around off, again Shubman Gill walks down the track and pulls it powerfully over mid-wicket. Only a run this time.

12:29 PM IST Back of a length, around off, Rahul Tripathi punches it on the up to deep cover for one. His intent has been very positive!

12:28 PM IST A low full toss outside off, Gill pushes it in the gap at covers for a single.

12:27 PM IST FOUR! What a shot! Fancy footwork from Shubman Gill. He runs down the track, the length is short and around off, Gill powers it over mid-wicket for a fantastic boundary.

12:27 PM IST Avesh Khan comes into the attack.

12:25 PM IST On middle and leg, Rahul Tripathi tucks it through square leg and returns for the second run. Good calling by Gill.

12:25 PM IST Flatter and shorter outside off, Rahul plays it late but finds point.

12:24 PM IST SIX! Wow, that's some way to open your account. Lalit Yadav is on the shorter side around off, Rahul Tripathi goes on the back foot and hammers his pull shot over mid-wicket. He knocked the stitches out of this one!

12:24 PM IST Rahul Tripathi is the new man in.

12:22 PM IST OUT! BOWLED! Lalit Yadav strikes. He fires it in from wide of the crease, a touch short and on middle at 97 clicks, Venkatesh Iyer hangs back inside the crease and tries to whip it across the line. He misses and possibly the ball deflects off his pads to the stumps. A big wicket for Delhi as Iyer has been in scintillating form of late. 100 needed off 93 balls.

12:22 PM IST Flatter and quicker on off, Shubman Gill hits it firmly down to long on for a run.

12:21 PM IST Nearly drags it on! Lalit Yadav digs it in short around off, Venkatesh Iyer tries to pull but it takes the inner edge and goes through his legs. It's wide of short fine leg and they cross.

12:21 PM IST Lalit Yadav comes to bowl now.

12:19 PM IST Iyer uses his feet. Comes down the track to a full ball and strokes it towards long off for one. 4 from the over!

12:19 PM IST Full and around off, Gill eases it down to long off to rotate the strike.

12:19 PM IST Full and on off, defended back to the bowler off the front foot.

12:18 PM IST Flatter and a touch shorter on off, Venkatesh Iyer hangs back and heaves it down to deep mid-wicket for one.

12:18 PM IST A big shot attempted by Iyer but he has not connected. Fuller and quicker outside off, Venkatesh Iyer tries to play the slog-sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. The impact was outside off.

12:18 PM IST Flighted one, full and around off, Shubman walks down the track and drives it through mid off for a single.

12:17 PM IST Fullish and just outside off, Venkatesh Iyer again attempts for the reverse sweep but misses. He is hit on the pads, a stifled appeal from Pant but nothing doing.

12:16 PM IST Loopy and around off, Iyer skips down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

12:17 PM IST Wide! Skidding down the leg side, Iyer tries to work it around but misses.

12:16 PM IST Swing and a miss! Tossed up, around off and spinning away, Venkatesh Iyer tries to play the reverse-batted shot over point but fails to connect.

12:15 PM IST Walks down the track and eases it to the left side of the mid off fielder for a single.

12:14 PM IST Uppish but safe! Floated and full around middle and off, Venkatesh Iyer probably looked to go over covers but checks his shot at the last moment. He chips it down towards long off for a single.

12:14 PM IST Fuller and on off, Shubman Gill closes the face of the bat and works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

12:14 PM IST Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack now.

12:13 PM IST Quicker one, full and on off, Iyer drives it to mid off. 16 without loss at the end of the second over.

12:12 PM IST Arm ball, around middle, Shubman Gill nudges it off his pads to mid-wicket for a single.

12:12 PM IST Flat and full again, once more Gill strokes it to covers.

12:12 PM IST Quicker and fuller on off, pushed to covers.

12:12 PM IST SIX! Boom! Shubman Gill has shown great intent in the second half of the season. Fuller one, on middle and off, Shubman Gill advances down the track and towers it behind the bowler's head for a biggie.

12:11 PM IST Fires it full and on off, Gill drives it back to the bowler.

12:11 PM IST Axar Patel to bowl from the other end.

12:10 PM IST Swing and a miss! Nortje bowls the slower one, on a length around middle at 127 clicks, Venkatesh Iyer dances down the track to heave it over the leg side but misses. It flies over the stumps to the keeper.

12:09 PM IST FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer is fighting fire with fire. Anrich Nortje goes shortish, around middle at 141 kph, Iyer goes back and pulls it in front of square leg for a boundary.

12:08 PM IST FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer pierces the gap on this occasion. Anrich Nortje pitches it up and around off, at 147.6 kph, Iyer stands tall inside the crease and drills his drive through covers.

12:07 PM IST Two dots! On a length, around off, punched from the crease to covers.

12:07 PM IST Angling away from the batsman, on a length and outside off at 139 kph, Venkatesh Iyer drives but finds the fielder at extra cover.

12:06 PM IST Slightly short, around off at 143 kph, Shubman Gill stands back and plays it down with soft hands towards mid on. He steals a run to open his account.