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Sat, 18 April 2015
LIVE IPL: Russell's blast powers Kolkata to victory

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23:21  
 KOLKATA WIN BY 4 WICKETS!! 

Kolkata 159-6 (17.5 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard


Johnson comes back as Pathan steers the first ball to thirdman for a single and Russell also collects one.

Kolkata are happy to do it in singles as Pathan drives it down to long-off for one to level scores.

Russell tries to finish it off in a blaze but misses the full delivery from Johnson and is bowled after a smashing innings of 66 from 36 balls, inclusive of nine fours and two sixes.

He added 95 runs from 59 balls for the sixth wicket with Pathan to rally KKR after they were reduced to 60 for five at one stage.

Piyush Chawla hits the winning runs steering a short wide ball over the slips for a four.

In the end it turns out to be a convincing four-wicket victory for the champions with 13 balls to spare.

Pathan showed good common sense to score 28 from 24 balls and was the perfect foil for the smashing batting of Russell from the other end.

Interestingly, out of 20 matches at the MCA International stadium in Pune, the home teams have finished on the losing side 16 times.

This is Kolkata's second victory in three matches, while Punjab suffer their third loss in four matches.
23:14  
 Kolkata 152-5 (17 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Maxwell in charge of proceedings out in the middle in absence of Bailey and he gives his team a nice pep talk during the strategic time out.

Pathan edges the first ball from Anureet as it goes past the wicketkeeper for a four. Russell seems to have changed his plans slightly and is looking to bat more maturely and take his team home.

However, he can't resist the urge for too long as he slams the last ball powerfully down the ground past long-on for a four.

He smashes the last ball for a four to take his score to 67, the highest score by a batsman at No. 7 in the history of IPL.
23:06   Russell blasts 28-ball fifty, Kolkata in control
 Kolkata 139-5 (16 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Punjab captain Bailey has gone off the field with a shoulder injury he sustained while trying to make a diving stop on the off-side.

Russell blasts the first ball from Perera down the ground and manages to beat long-on for a four to race to his fifty from just 28 balls.

Russell smashes a full toss from Perera over midwicket for a six as the carnage continues.

He mishits the next ball as he goes for another big swing on the leg side but Maxwell drops a simple catch at long-on.

14 runs from the over leave KKR with 17 to get from the remaining four overs for victory.

23:01  
 Kolkata 125-5 (15 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Anureet comes back with Punjab needing a wicket in the next over or two to bring themselves back into the contest.

The pacer bowls it on the pads as Pathan helps himself to a boundary through square leg and then gets a single.

Russell manages to find the gap in the covers and comes back for two runs before he digs out a yorker on the leg side for one.

The last ball is short and slants across Yusuf, who upper cuts it through the vacant thirdman region for a four.

Kolkata are cruising to victory as they reach 125 for five in 15 overs, with another 31 needed for victory from five overs.
22:57   Russell leads Kolkata's stunning fightback
 Kolkata 113-5 (14 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Axar comes back. Russell heaves the first ball through midwicket for a four and slog sweep the next ball over the same region for a six. The third ball is wide as Russell plays the cut shot to good effect for a four to make it 14 from three balls.

Russell gets a couple each from the next two balls and keeps strike with a single from the last ball.

Axar is hit for 19 runs in that over as equation comes down to a manageable 53 needed from 42 balls.

Russell has smashed his way to 38 from 22 balls, while Pathan is on four from 10 balls as KKR reach 103 for five in 13 overs.

Johnson is having a nightmare with the ball. Russell yet again gets the cut shot away for a four and two balls later Pathan plays a lovely drive through the covers for another boundary.

Pathan gets a lifeline off the last delivery as he is sent back halfway down the pitch but Patel misses the direct hit from the covers.

10 runs from Johnson's over, who has gone for 34 in three.

KKR are 113 for five in 14 overs, needing 43 from six overs at an asking rate of seven per over.
22:48  
 Kolkata 84-5 (12 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Left-armer Johnson, who went for 15 runs in his first over, comes back. Russell hammers the third ball through the off-side for a four but is again beaten off the next.

He cuts the fifth ball behind point and manages to beat the thirdman fielder for another four as nine come from the over.

Perera will continue as Russell continues his free flowing approach. He clubs a full delivery over the off-side for a four as it bounces just inside the ropes.

KKR are keeping themselves in the hunt as they reach 84 for five in 12 overs, with another 72 needed from eight overs for victory.
22:37  
 Kolkata 68-5 (10 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Interestingly, replays shows ten Doeschate had got a big inside edge which the umpire missed. Unlucky for the Dutch all-rounder to be given out in this manner!

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel comes into the attack and he makes a tidy start to his spell, giving away just three runs.

Andre Russell throwing his bat at everything but is getting beaten time and again, while at the other end Yusuf Pathan is content to take his time to get his eye in.

Russell gets one off the middle as he smashes it through the off-side for a four. But he is beaten off three deliveries in succession trying to play the cut shot but fails to make connection.

KKR are reeling on 68 for five in 10 overs, needing 88 runs from 60 balls for victory with five wickets in hand.
22:29   Punjab pacer Sandeep leaves KKR in a mess
 Kolkata 60-5 (8 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Sandeep comes back as Johnson gets just one over in his first spell. He comes back to take the crucial wicket of KKR captain Gambhir, who slashes at a wide delivery but gets an edge to be caught behind after a slow knock of 11 from 19 balls.

Sandeep has left KKR in a mess, taking three wickets to leave the visitors reeling on 60 for four in the eighth over.

It gets worse for the champions as Sandeep traps Ryan ten Doeschate leg before wicket for a first-ball duck.

A double wicket maiden from Sandeep to end his excellent spell as he finishes with four for 25 in four overs.
22:22   Yadav out for 23, Kolkata lose 3rd wicket
 Kolkata 60-3 (7 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Thisara Perera comes into the attack, replacing Sandeep, who took two for 25 in three overs.

Yadav steers the second ball past the vacant slip region for a four to race to 22 from eight balls.

However, the Sri Lankan all-rounder gets revenge three balls later. He looked to repeat the steer fine on the off-side but this time he was foxed by a slower ball and got a thin edge which was taken by a diving Saha behind the wickets.

Surya entertained briefly, hitting 23 from 10 balls, with the help of two fours and two sixes.
22:17   Kolkata in control despite early wickets
 Kolkata 53-2 (6 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson comes into the attack, replacing Anureet.

Yadav wastes no time in going after the Australian speedster as he flicks the third ball over the fine leg region for a six, using his extra pace to good effect.

He ends the over with another special shot flicking a full delivery off his pads over the square leg fence for the second six of the over.

Despite the two early wickets, Kolkata looking comfortable on 53 for two in six overs with Gambhir on nine and Yadav on 18.
22:16   Sandeep gets 2nd wicket, Punjab on top
 Kolkata 38-2 (5 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Anureet once again doing a good job with the ball. Gambhir tries to break the shackles as he lofts it over the off-side for a four before the pacer bowls a quick bouncer to beat the KKR captain.

Both the young pacers have started well, with Sandeep taking one for 13 in two overs and Anureet going for 12 in two overs.

Pandey goes after Sandeep as he pulls it over square leg where Axar in the deep fails to judge it cleanly and it goes over him before bouncing inside the ropes for a four and the next ball is smashed through point for the same result.

But Sandeep has the last laugh with the wicket of Pandey, who is caught at midwicket for 12.

Surya Kumar Yadav edges the last ball of the over as it goes for a boundary to get the right-hander off the mark.

Kolkata in a bit of trouble at the moment as they are reduced to 38 for two in five overs.
22:08   Uthappa fails with the bat, KKR lose early wicket
 Kolkata 21-1 (3 ovs) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Anureet Singh to bowl the second over. The third ball slips down the leg side as Uthappa nudges it round the corner for his second four. Three more singles as Kolkata get eight from the second over.

Sandeep strikes in the next over. Uthappa shuffles across and looks to flick it across the line on the leg side but misses and is caught right in front of the stumps for 13.

Manish Pandey leans forward tentatively as he gets an inside edge which goes behind square on the leg side. Axar Patel lunges full length to his right and saves what looks like a certain boundary to keep it down to three.

Gambhir plays an uppish drive and it goes through the vacant point region for a couple, past a flying Maxwell in the gully.


21:50  
 Kolkata 8-0 (1 ov) vs Punjab 155-9 | Scorecard

Kolkata's dangerous opening duo of Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir walk out to open the innings, while bowling the first over will Punjab's young seamer Sandeep Sharma.

Uthappa turns the first ball square on the leg side and gets two runs. He survives a close run out chance off the fifth ball as he responds to a call from his captain but the bowler Sandeep is alert and gets a direct hit with the batsman just making his crease.

Uthappa survives before he flicks a full delivery on the pads through midwicket for a four.
21:29   Kolkata's pacers restrict Kings XI Punjab to 155
 Punjab 155-9 (20 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Pacer Morkel to bowl the final over of the innings. Mitchell Johnson get off the mark with a single which also brings his captain Bailey back on strike.

Bailey hits a full toss down to long-off where Ryan ten Doeschate fails to take the catch, as it bursts through his fingers and goes over for a six.

Bailey looks to paddle it fine on the leg side but misses and then hits a full toss down to long-off. He calls Johnson for a second in an attempt to keep the strike but is caught well short of his crease. Ten Doeschate did well to get to the ball and release it quickly for a good flat throw not far from the stumps.

Bailey is run out after a good innings of 60 from 45 balls, having hit five fours and two sixes.

Anureet Singh is beaten as he misses a yorker outside the off-stump but they manage to take a bye.

Johnson is caught at point off the final delivery with captain Gambhir pulling off a brilliant catch.

Punjab finish on 155 for nine in their 20 overs with Yadav taking three for 33 and both Morkel and Russell taking two each
21:21  
 Punjab 146-6 (19 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Narine to bowl the 19th over, his final of the innings. Bailey turns the third ball on the leg side for a couple to bring up his fifty, from 40 balls.

The next ball is driven through the covers for two more runs before he picks up one to deep midwicket.

Axar Patel looks to slog sweep the last ball but mishits it straight to Yadav at long-off.

The first wicket for Narine in this year's IPL as he finishes with superb figures of one for 17 in four overs.
21:19   Bailey hits 50 to rally Punjab despite regular wickets
 Punjab 140-6 (18 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Umesh is back and he cripples Punjab with the wicket of Gurkeerat, who holes out to long-on after scoring 11.

The regular flow of wickets is affecting Punjab, who need Bailey to bat out till the end and atleast take them past 160.

A short wide delivery is cut through point by Bailey for a four and he flicks the last ball on the leg side for another boundary.
21:12   Kolkata claim regular wickets to keep Punjab in check
 Punjab 129-5 (17 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Narine is back, to bowl his third over. As expected he cruises through the over conceding just three runs as Punjab are content to see him off.

Chawla to bowl his fourth over on the trot. Gurkeerat gets the first boundary hit off his bowling, smashing the second ball over long-on for a six.

Two dot balls in a row before Bailey lofts the last ball over long-off for the second six of the over.

Chawla goes for 14 in that over to finish with 29 runs in four overs.
21:02  
 Punjab 112-5 (15 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Punjab youngster Gurkeerat Mann comes out to the middle to join his captain Bailey. The visitors need these two to stay out for a couple of overs and then accelerate at the end to help Punjab post a competitive total.

Chawla has bowled a superb spell and has not conceded a single boundary in his first three overs, giving away just 15 runs.

After 15 overs, Punjab have reached 112 for five with Bailey on 30 from 28 balls and Gurkeerate on two.
20:58   Perera falls for 9, Punjab in a spot of bother
 Punjab 107-5 (14 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Chawla to continue as Bailey drives the first ball to long-off for one and Perera gets off the mark with a single from the next ball.

Just four singles from the over as Chawla continues his tidy start with the ball.

Russell attempts the slower ball against Perera but the left-hander pulls it high over midwicket for a six.

The next ball kicks off length as Perera is beaten trying to play the cut shot and wicketkeeper Uthappa lets it go through for four byes.

Russell strikes with the final delivery of his spell. Perera tries to cut it over point but ends up hitting it straight to the fielder to be dismissed for nine.
20:50   Maxwell falls for 33, Punjab lose 4th wicket
 Punjab 91-4 (12 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla comes into the attack. He manages to keep Maxwell quiet as he concedes just six runs in his first over.

Pacer Yadav, who bowled a good first spell, is back. He starts with a good yorker which Maxwell defends on the off-side for a single. Bailey slaps the next ball through the covers for a four as Russell fails to stop it cleanly running to his right from sweeper cover.

However, Yadav makes the crucial breakthrough with the wicket of Maxwell, who lofts it over the off-side but is caught by Russell diving forward in the deep.

Maxwell walks back after a good innings of 33 from 26 balls and threatened briefly but lost his wicket at perhaps the worst time for Punjab.

Thisara Perera makes his debut for Punjab. He was part of the squad last year but failed to get a single game and he would be keen to make an impact, having replaced David Miller.
20:40   Maxwell's attack revives Punjab after early wickets
 Punjab 77-3 (10 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Maxwell was watchful against Narine in his first over but in his next he comes down the track and drives it through the covers for a four.

Two balls later he attempts the reverse paddle but the ball slides down the leg side as wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa fails to get it and gives away four byes.

Maxwell's counter-attack is playing a big role in Punjab's revival. A full delivery by Russell which Maxwell flicks over deep square leg for a six.

He throws his bat at one outside the off-stump but it is called a wide. A frustrated Russell attempts a bouncer which goes high over Maxwell and is called a wide for height.

Bailey is also looking good from the start. He plays a pull shot for a single to deep square leg to bring Maxwell back on strike.

After 10 overs, Punjab have recovered to 77 for three.

Maxwell has smashed 28 from 21 balls, while Bailey has made 16 from 14 balls with the two batsmen putting on 50 runs from 36 balls for the fourth wicket.
20:32  
 Punjab 54-3 (8 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

This will be a thrilling battle as KKR bring in mystery Sunil Narine and it will be interesting to see how Maxwell goes against him.

Maxwell is watchful to begin with as he carefully plays the first four deliveries before taking a single from the fifth ball. Bailey gets one from the last ball to bring up Punjab's 50 as Narine makes a good start, conceding just two from his opening over.

Change of ends for Russell as he comes on from the other end. Maxwell (13) gets a lifeline as he top edges the pull shot but Yusuf Pathan at deep square leg puts down a straight forward chance.

That could prove to be very costly, dropping someone like Maxwell, who is capable of turning the game in a matter of a few overs.
20:23  
 Punjab 48-3 (6 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Maxwell looking to hit Punjab out of trouble as he makes room and smashes Morkel straight back over his back for a six. The next ball is smashed through the covers for a four as the Australian signals his intentions early on.

Despite the early wickets, Punjab have managed to keep the scoreboard moving at a good rate as they reach 48 for three in the first six overs of Powerplay.
20:21   Sehwag falls for 11, Kings XI Punjab in trouble
 Punjab 37-3 (5 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Sehwag is very lethal whenever he gets any width. Morkel bowls it slightly and Sehwag plays his favourite steeer past point for his first boundary.

However, Morkel checks Punjab's charge with the wicket of Saha. The right-hander goes for the big heave on the leg side but mishits it to Yusuf Pathan at wide slip to be dismissed for 15.

Andre Russell comes into the attack. Sehwag opens the face of the bat and steers the first ball past point for a four. However, the bowler gets revenge from the next ball as Sehwag is caught on the leg side for 11.

Punjab in trouble at 27 for three in the fifth over.

Captain George Bailey off the mark in smashing fashion as he blasts a full delivery from Russell through midwicket for a four. The next ball is a long hop as Bailey crashes it through the covers to score eight from his first two deliveries.

Glenn Maxwell attempts to guide a short ball fine but mishits it on the leg side for a single.
20:15  
 Punjab 18-1 (3 ovs) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Virender Sehwag, playing in his 100th IPL match, gets off the mark with a single as he defends a short ball Morne Morkel on the off-side.

Saha picks a leg bye before Sehwag again contends with a short ball fine on the leg side for one.

Saha gets another single before Sehwag fends off the last two balls, both short and on his rib cage on the leg side.

Yadav bowls a short one at Saha, who mishits the pull shot but two balls later he gets it off the middle for a four behind square, the first of the innings.

Saha then steers the fourth ball past point for two runs wide of the thirdman fielder.

Another short ball from Yadav, which Saha pulls over the fine leg region for a six. Infact, it was the top edge but the extra pace meant that the ball carried a long way over the fence.

12 from Yadav's second over take Punjab to 18 for one in three overs.
20:08   Vijay out for a duck, Punjab lose early wicket
 Punjab 2-1 (1 ov) vs Kolkata | Scorecard

Umesh Yadav to bowl the first over for Kolkata. The pacer strikes in the very first over with the wicket of Punjab opener Murali Vijay who is caught on the leg side for a duck.

Wriddhiman Saha walks in at No. 3 and he gets Punjab off the mark with two runs from the last ball of the over.
19:30  
And it's time to move on to the second match of the day with Kolkata Knight Riders taking on Kings XI Punjab in Pune.

Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir has won the toss and elected to bowl.

Champions KKR will miss the services of Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has gone back for international duty.

Ryan ten Doeshcate comes in to replace Shakib, while Kolkata bring in fast bowler Umesh Yadav to replace mystery spinner K C Cariappa.

Punjab have made a big change with David Miller being dropped in favour of Thisara Perera, while Gurkeerat Mann replaces Rishi Dhawan.
19:26   All-rounder Duminy lifts Delhi Daredevils to victory
 DELHI DAREDEVILS WIN BY 4 RUNS!!!

Hyderabad 163-8 (20 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard


Australia's Coulter-Nile to bowl the crucial final over. The first ball is a yorker on the stumps as Karn makes room and steers it to short thirdman for a single.

Reddy makes room but Coulter-Nile is aware to the task as he bowls a good yorker outside the off-stump which beats the batsman. Karn comes across to steal a bye but Reddy can't make it to the other end and is run out after a quickfire 15 from eight balls.

Nine runs needed from 4 balls for victory, with three wickets in hand.

Coulter-Nile bowls another good yorker which Karn drives down to long-off for a single.

8 needed from three balls with Praveen Kumar on strike, who is capable of landing a few big hits.

Superb bowling from the Australian pacer as Praveen can only defend it on the off-side for a single....7 needed from 2 balls.

Karn throws his bat at a wide delivery as Mayank Agarwal at sweeper cover saves a certain six as he flicks the ball back despite tumbling over the ropes. That could turn out to be a match-winning save as Hyderabad get just two runs from it.

Karn lofts the last ball but is caught at long-off as Hyderabad go down by four runs.

This is Delhi's second straight victory and they have to thank their captain Duminy for playing a major role with both bat and ball.

He smashed 54 from 41 balls to lift his team to a healthy total before he claimed four for 17 in three overs to take his team to victory.
19:16   Hyderabad need 10 from last over for victory
 Hyderabad 158-6 (19 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

The experienced Mathews to bowl the 19th over. Karn looks to slog the first ball over the leg side but is foxed by the slower ball and misses it. He hits the second ball to sweeper on the off-side for a single.

Reddy lofts the third ball over mid-off for a boundary but is beaten by the next, which is slower, as he comes down and tries another big shot.

Mathews attempts another slower ball but this time Reddy is ready for it as he swings it over midwicket for a six...12 needed from 7 balls.

Reddy drives the last ball down the ground as Mathews half stops it and ends up giving away two runs.

13 runs from the over leave Hyderabad to get 10 from the last over to win the match.
19:10   Hyderabad need 23 from 2 overs for victory
 Hyderabad 145-6 (18 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Leg-spinner Tahir comes back and facing him are two new batsmen in Ashish Reddy and Karn Sharma.

Karn keeps Hyderabad's hopes alive with back to back sixes off Tahir, using the slog sweep to good effect for two sixes over midwicket.

He retains strike with a single from the last ball.

Tahir concedes 16 runs in that over as Hyderabad are still in the hunt with 23 needed from two overs for victory.
19:06   Duminy shines with the ball, Delhi on top
 Hyderabad 129-6 (17 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Duminy takes a gamble as he brings himself back. Bopara launches the first ball down the ground for a six to keep SH in touching distance of the asking rate.

Morgan gets off the mark with a suicidal run on the off-side and is lucky that the fielder in the covers missed the direct hit at the non-striker's end.

Duminy gets revenge as he picks the key wicket of Bopara, who holes out a simple catch to Tiwary at long-off.

Bopara falls at the wrong time for Hyderabad after scoring 41 from 30 balls to tilt the scales slightly in Delhi's favour.

Duminy continues his wicket ways as he bowls Morgan with the final delivery of the over.

It's turning out to be a dream match for Delhi captain Duminy, who has taken four for 17 in three overs to follow up on the half-century he scored with the bat.

Morgan fails again as he walks back after scoring just one.

Hyderabad now need 39 runs from three overs for victory with four wickets in hand.
18:57   Tahir dismisses Ojha, Hyderabad lose 4th wicket
 Hyderabad 120-4 (16 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Tahir comes back as Delhi continue to mix their bowlers around. Bopara looks to lift the tempo as he smashes the second ball over long-off for a six.

Ojha has another big swing but fails to read the googly as he inside edges it on the leg side for one.

Ojha drives at a wide delivery but Duminy takes a blinder at point, running to his right before completing a diving catch.

A timely wicket for Delhi as Hyderabad are reduced to 120 for four in 16 overs, with 48 needed from four overs for victory.
18:54  
 Hyderabad 110-3 (15 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Hyderabad need to do something about the asking rate, which is over 11 now. Coulter-Nile is back and Bopara decides to go on the attack. He pulls the third ball over midwicket for a four.

Two balls later he swings it over midwicket as Agarwal takes the catch on the edge of the boundary ropes but fails to hold his balance and tumbles over the ropes to give away a six.

11 runs from the over take Hyderabad to 101 for three in 14 overs.

Mathews will continue. Two singles from the first two balls before Ojha flicks it over midwicket for a couple.

He throws his bat at the next ball, smashing it over the covers for a four but ducks under a bouncer.

Hyderabad are 110 for three in 15 overs, with another 58 needed from the last five overs for victory.

Bopara, who has got his eye in to score 26 from 24 balls, will hold the key, while Ojha (7) is looking to attack.
18:44  
 Hyderabad 90-3 (13 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Mathews comes back, to bowl the 13th over. He is unlucky not get the wicket of Rahul, who skies one high on the leg side attempting a big shot but Domnic is unable to hold on.

However, Mathews gets his man off the very next delivery. Rahul shuffles across a long way and misses the flick and is bowled after scoring 24 from 21 balls.

Hyderabad in a spot of bother on 89 for three, in the 13th over.

Hyderabad decide to keep the experienced Eoin Morgan for the closing stages as Naman Ojha walks in to bat at No. 5.

He gets off the mark with a single to thirdman before Bopara is beaten off the last ball attempting the same shot.
18:39   Rahul, Bopara rally Hyderabad after openers perish
 Hyderabad 86-2 (12 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Rahul getting the innings back in gear again as he rocks back and pulls a short ball from Mishra over midwicket for a six. Four singles from the rest of the over gives Hyderabad 10 runs from the 11th over.

Tahir is back. Rahul mistimes the cut shot as it goes on the bounce to short thirdman before he takes a single to long-on.

Bopara looks to slog sweep the last ball but gets an inside edge which narrowly misses the stumps and goes behind the wickets for three runs.
18:33  
 Hyderabad 69-2 (10 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Duminy decides it's time to bring in his best bowler into the attack in leg-spinner Imran Tahir.

Rahul is nearly done in by the googly from Tahir as he manages to keep it out in the nick of time.

Tahir concedes just two singles in the over before his leg-spin partner Amit Mishra comes on from the other end.

And Mishra also makes a tidy start, giving away four singles as Delhi look to rush through their overs before the two batsmen can get their eye in.

Tahir is taken off after just one over and part-time Yuvraj Singh is brought into the attack.

Birthday boy Rahul breaks the shackles as he comes down the track and lofts it straight down the ground for a six, the first boundary after 27 balls.

Karnataka's Rahul has been quite dominant against spinners in domestic cricket and Sunrisers would look towards him to push them in the middle overs.

At the halfway stage, Hyderabad are 69 for two needing 99 from the last 10 overs for victory with eight wickets in hand.
18:28   Duminy's double strike rocks Hyderabad after a good start
 Hyderabad 53-2 (7 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Duminy comes back and he strikes with the wicket of Dhawan, who looks to run it down to thirdman but misses and is bowled after scoring 18.

Two balls later, Warner is too early into the flick and gets a leading edge to offer a simple return catch to be dismissed for 28.

What a fantastic over from Duminy, getting both the well set openers which means there are two new batsmen out in the middle in KL Rahul and Ravi Bopara.

Three runs and two wickets in the over as Hyderabad are reduced to 53 for two in seven.
18:17   Dhawan, Warner give Hyderabad a good start
 Hyderabad 32-0 (5 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Interesting tactics from Duminy as he takes himself after just one over and introduces medium pacer Domnic Joseph.

Dhawan looks to flay the first ball through the off-side but misses and two balls later comes down the track but is unable to beat the man in the covers.

Dhawan then is hit again on the body as he misses the pull shot against a short ball and somehow sneaks a quick leg bye.

Warner flicks the fifth ball through midwicket for two runs but can't find the gap off the last ball.

A good start from Domnic as just three runs come from the over with Hyderabad struggling to 20 for no loss in four overs.

Something will have to give way here as Hyderabad can't continue at this slow rate for too long.

Another bowling change as Angelo Mathews comes in to replace Coulter-Nile after his good first spell of two overs for 10 runs.

Dhawan plays the late cut as he steers the first ball past the keeper for the first four of Hyderabad's innings, in the fifth over.

Two balls later he makes room but gets a bottom edge which goes through the legs of wicketkeeper Jadhav for another boundary.

Dhawan makes it three fours as he makes room and steers the fifth ball past point.

12 runs from the over take Hyderabad to 32 for no loss in five.
18:15  
 Hyderabad 50-0 (6 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

Warner joins in the party as he lofts Domnic back over his head for a four. He smashes the next straight but to his misfortune it strikes the stumps at the other end denying him some runs.

Warner then comes down the track and gives himself a bit of room to crash it through the covers for another four.

The next ball is a bit wide as Warner punches it again through the covers for the third four of the over.

The fifth ball is flicked behind square for two runs before Warner slams the last ball down the ground for the fourth boundary of the over.

18 runs from the over, making it 30 from the last two, to take the score to 50 for no loss after six overs.

Seven boundaries from the last 12 balls, with Warner smashing 28 from 19 balls and Dhawan hitting 18 from 17 balls, to put Hyderabad on top.
18:07   Hyderabad off to a slow start against Delhi
 Hyderabad 17-0 (3 ovs) vs Delhi 167-4 | Scorecard

The dangerous left-handed duo of Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner stride out to open the innings for hosts Sunrisers, while Nathan Coulter-Nile is handed the new ball to bowl the first over.

The first ball keeps low as Warner is beaten and the next one slants across him, going past the edge of the bat.

He gets off the mark with a single from the fourth ball. Dhawan is struck on the body as he misses the short ball trying to turn it on the leg side and the physio comes out to attend him.

He drives the last ball past mid-off for a couple as three come from the first over.

Part-timer JP Duminy to bowl the second over as Delhi decide to employ an off-spinner against the two left-handers. He bowls a quiet second over, conceding just seven.

Coulter-Nile continues as Hyderabad's two openers take their time to get their eye in.

Once again, a tidy over as Hyderabad are without a boundary in the first three overs to reach 17 for no loss in three overs.
17:32   Duminy, Iyer hit 50s to propel Delhi to 167 vs Hyderabad
 Delhi 167-4 (20 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

The experienced Praveen to bowl the 19th over. He also looks to bowl it full as Jadhav drives the first ball down to long-on for one and Mathews also gets just one from the next.

Jadhav makes room but can only drive the third ball down to long-off for a single.

Mathews comes down and lofts a slower ball straight down the ground for a six, the first boundary after 20 balls.

The last ball is a full toss which Jadhav carts over midwicket for another six to take Delhi past the 150-run mark.

An expensive last over from Praveen, who is hit for 16, to finish with one for 38 in four overs.

Bhuvneshwar to bowl the final over. He continues bowling the yorkers on the stumps as the two Delhi batsmen are restricted to singles from the first five balls.

Jadhav somehow gets a boundary from the final delivery as he plays a cheeky steer fine on the off-side for a four.

Delhi Daredevils finish on a healthy 167 for four in their 20 overs with Jadhav unbeaten on 19 from 12 balls and Mathews on 15 from 11 balls.

Bhuvneshwar was splendid with the ball, both at the start and at the end, as he finishes with one for 21 in four overs.
17:21  
 Delhi 142-4 (18 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Bhuvneshwar is back and he also bowls a good length, keeping it full and on the stumps.

Jadhav flicks the second ball through midwicket where the fielder makes a good diving stop to keep it down to two.

Mathews taps it on the off-side and looks for a quick run but is sent back and is lucky that KL Rahul missed with the direct hit from point.

He comes down and plays the pull as Bhuvi drops it short but the ball falls just short of Reddy at square leg.

The last ball is a yorker as Jadhav can only defend it for a single.

An excellent over from Bhuvi, giving away just six runs in the 18th over. His figures read: 3-0-12-1.
17:16   Yuvraj fails with the bat as Delhi lose 4th wicket
 Delhi 136-4 (17 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Hyderabad take a gamble as part-timer Reddy comes back into the attack, to bowl the 17th over.

And the move pays off as he claims the big wicket of Yuvraj for nine with the first delivery of his new spell.

The left-hander looked to smash it over midwicket but captain Warner timed his jump to perfection inches the ropes to complete a sensational catch.

Delhi have two new batsmen out in the middle in Kedar Jadhav and Angelo Mathews, both of whom would would be expected to score some quick runs.

Reddy bowls a tidy second over, conceding just four runs, while bagging the wicket of Yuvraj to check Delhi's progress.
17:11   Captain Duminy out for 54 as Delhi stumble
 Delhi 132-3 (16 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Bopara's bowling has been a bonus for Hyderabad in IPL and once again he will complete his quota of four overs here.

Duminy is keen not to let the opportunity as he goes after Bopara and smashes the second ball powerfully down the ground for a four.

That forces wicketkeeper Ojha to stand up to the stumps. Duminy misses the fine nudge to a leg side wide as it goes off his pads but Ojha does well to stop it and makes a futile appeal for caught behind.

Bopara bowls a poor short ball as he attempts the slower bouncer which Duminy pulls through midwicket for the second four of the over. The last ball is picked off his pads and deposited over the long-on fence for a six to make it 15 runs from the 15 over.

Bopara's final over proves costly for Hyderabad as Duminy timed his attack to perfection and has raced to 47 from 38 balls, having hit five fours and a six.

Hyderabad's run rate has gone over the eight runs per over mark as they reach 121 for two in 15 overs.

Warner looks desperate for a wicket as he decides to complete Steyn's spell, in the 16th over.

No holding back as far as Duminy is concerned as he makes room and lofts his compatriot Steyn over long-on for another six, to race to his fifty from 39 balls.

Yuvraj looks to initially duck under a short ball before deciding to pull it at the last moment for two runs to deep square leg.

Steyn gets revenge as he cleans up Duminy with the last delivery of his spell. The left-hander is bowled after a superb innings of 54 from 41 balls, inclusive of five fours and two sixes.

Steyn finishes with one for 27 in four overs in his first game of IPL 8 despite going for 11 in his final over.
17:02   Iyer falls for 60 but Delhi eye big total against Sunrisers
 Delhi 106-2 (14 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Bopara, who dropped the catch, has a chance to make up for it as he is called back to the bowling crease. He continues bowling his medium pacers with good change of pace, not allowing the two left-handers anything to work with.

With Karn going for 25 runs in two overs, Hyderabad need Bopara to bowl a few overs.

What looks like a decent over is spoiled by Duminy as he pulls the last ball through midwicket for a four to take Hyderabad past the 100-run mark, in the 13th over.

Steyn is back and he bowls a peach to Yuvraj as he slants one across the left-hander, who is beaten by the extra bounce. That jumped out of nowhere catching Yuvraj by surprise at how Steyn could extract so much bounce from this slow pitch.

Yuvraj is then beaten by a full delivery as he shuffles across and misses the flick but the extra bounce saves him.

Just three runs from Steyn's third over as Delhi reach 106 for two in 14 overs at the second strategic time out.

A good finish in the last six overs can lift Delhi to around the 175-run mark, which should be a good score on this pitch.

Duminy (33) and Yuvraj (4) will hold they key for Delhi, who look in a comfortable position at the moment.
16:51   Iyer falls for 60, Delhi lose 2nd wicket
 Delhi 95-2 (12 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Part-timer Ashish Reddy comes into the attack. Iyer has changed gears as he lofts the fourth delivery down the ground for his fifth six. A single off the next delivery as Iyer races to 60 from 38 balls, while Duminy is content to play second fiddle at the other end.

Reddy proves expensive as he goes for 12 runs in his first over.

Kumar is back as Hyderabad are desperate for a wicket at this stage. And he repays his captain's faith with the key wicket of Iyer, who is foxed by a slower ball and is caught on the off-side after a quickfire innings of 60 from 40 balls.

Out walks Yuvraj Singh to a huge cheer from the opposition fans. He is dropped off the very first ball he plays an uppish but Bopara puts down a tough chance at midwicket off Praveen.

How costly could that dropped chance prove for Sunrisers?
16:40   Iyer hits half-century to lift Delhi after a poor start
 Delhi 80-1 (10 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Bopara slips one on the pads as Duminy turns him fine for a four and Delhi ensure the scoreboard keeps moving as nine come from that over.

Iyer goes after Karn again, in his second over. He lofts the third ball over long-on for a six and repeats the shot off the next ball for another maximum to bring up his half-century from 32 balls.

Delhi are looking good at the halfway stage, having reached 80 for one in 10 overs, with Iyer on 51 from 34 balls and Duminy on 23 from as many balls.
16:37   Iyer, Duminy steady Delhi after early wicket
 Delhi 57-1 (8 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Steyn gets a break after two overs as Praveen comes back. He starts with a leg side wide to Iyer, who then has a wild swing at the next ball but mishits it down the ground over Steyn at mid-on, who does well but fails to stop the four.

Three balls later Iyer gets it off the middle as he lofts it straight down the ground for a six. 12 runs from the over takes Delhi to 40 for one after six overs with Iyer on 26 from 20 balls and Duminy on nine from 13 balls.

English all-rounder Ravi Bopara comes into the attack after an excellent first spell from Bhuvneshwar as he claimed one for six in two overs.

A single from the first ball courtesy of an overthrow before Duminy picks two runs from the next ball as he gets an inside edge with the two batsmen showing good understanding between the wickets.

Bopara trying to mix it up and bowling a lot of back of the hand slower balls as Delhi's batsmen are content to deal in ones and twos as six runs come from the over.

Time for spin as leggie Karn Sharma is introduced. Iyer continues to grow in confidence as he comes down the track and lofts Karn back over his head for a six.

Singles from the rest of the over as Karn goes for 11 in his first as Delhi recover to 57 for one in eight.

Youngster Iyer is looking good on 36 from 26 balls, while Duminy is on 16 from 19 balls.
16:17   Delhi Daredevils struggle after early wicket
 Delhi 28-1 (5 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Steyn continues as Iyer drives the first ball on the off-side for a single. Duminy goes after a wide one but gets a thick outside edge which flies past Dhawan at first slip and gets the batsman a boundary. Following that miss, Warner puts in another man in the slips.

Duminy takes a single from the last ball as Steyn ends another good over, he has given just 14 runs from his first two overs.

Duminy survives another close shout for LBW as he looks whip Bhuvneshwar across the line but misses. Once again, the ball looks to have pitched outside leg stump and saves the Delhi captain.

Duminy misses another flick but they steal a quick leg bye before Iyer fails to time a full toss and gets leg bye at midwicket
16:15   Agarwal out for 1, Delhi lose early wicket
 Delhi 20-1 (3 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Bhuvneshwar Kumar into the attack after just one over from Praveen. He strikes with his very first delivery as Agarwal looks to steer it to thirdman but ends up hitting it straight to Shikhar Dhawan at first slip.

Delhi captain JP Duminy survives a close shout for LBW as the ball keeps a bit low. Infact, the only thing that saved Duminy was that the ball pitched a touch outside the leg-stump.

Duminy gets off the mark with two runs to square leg and he punches the last ball down the ground for another couple.
16:10  
 Delhi 15-0 (2 ovs) vs Hyderabad | Scorecard

Mayank Agarwal, who hit an impressive fifty in the previous match, walks out to open the batting for Delhi with the young Shreyas Iyer.

Praveen Kumar will bowl the first over for Sunrisers, who would be looking to claim a few early wickets.

Agarwal slashes the first ball over point for a single to get Delhi off the mark, while Iyer is beaten off the next as he plays away from his body. Wicketkeeper Naman Ojha appealed instantly for caught behind and the bowler joined him too but the umpire is not interested.

Praveen drifts on to the pads as Iyer flicks it past short fine leg for the first four of Delhi's innings as seven come from the first over.

Dale Steyn to bowl the second over. Iyer edges the first ball as he goes for a big drive through the off-side but it goes on the bounce to second slip, who does well to dive and stop it.

The fourth ball is a bit wide as Iyer leans forward and drives it through the covers for a boundary. He steers the fifth ball past point as Ashish Reddy misfields at thirdman to give away two runs.

A quick single from the last ball coupled with an overthrow gets Iyer another two runs as Delhi reach 15 for no loss in two overs.
15:33   Delhi elect to bat, Steyn back for Hyderabad
Delhi Daredevils captain J P Duminy has won the toss and elected to bat against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The big news is that South Africa's pace sensation Dale Steyn will play his first match of IPL 8 as Hyderabad draft him in place of Kiwi Trent Boult.

Steyn's presence will bolster a strong Hyderabad bowling line-up also including India's pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Praveen Kumar.

It will be a good battle between the leg-spinners. Delhi have two leggies in Amit Mishra and Imran Tahir, both of whom who have done well in IPL 8, while Hyderabad have the young Karn Sharma.
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15:21   All eyes on in-form Yuvraj as Delhi take on Hyderabad
Welcome to the coverage of 13th match of the Indian Premier League between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Daredevils in Visakhapatnam, on Saturday.

After putting a stop to their prolonged losing streak, Delhi Daredevils will look to carry forward the momentum following their victory over Kings XI Punjab. It was just the kind of boost the side needed after losing close matches to Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.

The players -- especially batsmen -- performed to expectation, but ill luck struck. However, now with that monkey off their backs, Delhi will look to continue the good work.

The best thing to have happened to Delhi is Yuvraj Singh's return to form.

Against Punjab, the prolific batsman, along with Mayank Agarwal, played lofty shots and crisp strokes that were reminiscent of his glorious past. When in free flow, the left-hander is still one of the best stroke-makers to watch.

Delhi's strength, like Hyderabad's, is its top-order. So the team that handles the conditions better will come out winners.

Imran Tahir will be the key to Delhi's plan once again. The South African leg-spinner has so far taken eight wickets.

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