Arshdeep, Rajapaksa lead Punjab Kings to victory in rain-hit game
Knight Riders, behind for most parts of the game, almost got to the DLS target thanks to Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer
Knight Riders, behind for most parts of the game, almost got to the DLS target thanks to Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer
Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: @himanshu_a30
That's it from us from the first of the two matches today. There was considerable time lost due to a floodlight failure at the start of KKR's innings, but I'm not sure if all four remaining overs would have been possible before rain interrupted play. Meanwhile, LSG, against DC, are off to a stable start in Lucknow as the action continues this evening. But for here, it's goodnight and goodbye from Raghav, Thilak, Sreshth and me, Himanshu!
Arshdeep Singh is the Player of the Match
7.51pm Okay, we are done: PBKS beat KKR by seven runs on DLS method. The rain is yet to stop after that interruption, and the umpires decided that was it. KKR fall short despite some late blows by Russell; and they will ruin those two wickets they lost in the last two overs. It was always going to be difficult once they were 29 for 3 in the fifth over, and KKR will want to relook at their top six in the absence of Shreyas Iyer and Shakib Al Hasan. On the contrary, PBKS' win was set up by contributions from their entire top seven. Hang around for the presentations.
Vikram: "I am 20 kms away from stadium. Its raining heavily. Chances of play resuming are very bleak." --- Exactly the post we were missing all this while
7.45pm The umpires are walking on the boundary rope, with umbrellas firmly placed overhead. They enter the KKR dressing room, and have a chat with their captain Rana. They even shook hands with one of the KKR staff members. Is that sign that we are done?
So what if rain has stopped the action here? You can always hop over from Mohali to Lucknow - don't ask me in how much time - as LSG host DC in both teams' season opener. DC have chosen to field after winning the toss.
7.40pm It is still raining steadily in Mohali, with covers in place pretty much all around. The ground looks entirely empty - there is not a soul there - with resumption getting further delayed.
Aditya: "Absolute chaos, this is what I've missed for the past couple of months!" --- And I'm sure this season hasn't disappointed you in just two days of action
TSB: "What blasphemy is this?! Shardul Thakur averages 10 with the bat after 140 T20 games?" --- To be honest, I had never realised this until now. Pretty shocking, yeah
7.18pm It has got much heavier, and rain stops play. As per DLS, KKR are seven runs behind. Two wickets in the last two overs for PBKS, and that must have made all the difference. The pitch and the outfield are quickly covered at the ground. The rain is hammering down, and I don't expect play to resume very soon.
Lokesh Kumar: "Lord is here"
Narine
VR Iyer c Chahar b Arshdeep Singh 34 (66m 28b 3x4 1x6) SR: 121.42
Divyank Singh: "Perfect time for Southee cameo"
Around the wicket to Thakur
56 off 30. Arsh back.
In IPL matches where a batter has faced ten or more balls from Narine, Rajapaksa's 23 off 11 was the sixth-highest strike rate
Knight Riders, behind for most parts of the game, almost got to the DLS target thanks to Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer
Punjab and KKR finished sixth and seventh last season - they have new captains to try and make the playoffs this year