RCB WIN BY 9 WICKETS!!!

RCB 186-1 (18.4 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

Another smashing batting performance from the swashbuckling duo of Kohli and de Villiers as they power RCB to a convincing nine-wicket victory, with eight balls to spare.

Kohli finishes unbeaten on 75 from 51 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes, while AB slammed 59 from 31 balls.

The duo, who put on a record 229-run stand in the previous match, have put on another stand, as they added 115 runs from 67 balls to carry their team to victory. This was the fifth-century stand between the two batsmen in this year's IPL and as Sunil Gavaskar rightly describes it, "they have been lighting up the tournament."

RCB never really lost the momentum throughout the whole course of their run chase and starting from Gayle's attack to another exhibition of world class batting from Kohli and AB de Villiers, it turned out to be another smashing performance from the visitors.

It is a very important victory for RCB, who jump to fifth in the standings with six wins from 12 games, while KKR have seven wins from the same number of games.

RCB WIN BY 9 WICKETS!!!

RCB 186-1 (18.4 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

Russell comes back into the attack as Kohli clubs the first ball over midwicket for a six. He blocks the next ball on the off-side for one but an overthrow means they pinch another run.

Russell goes down on his follow through after delivering his third delivery and seems to be in a lot of pain. He has to limp off the ground with injury as Chawla is assigned to finish off the over.

De Villiers needs just one more delivery as he sweeps Chawla fine for a four to take RCB to another important victory.

RCB 173-1 (18 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

The young Rajpoot comes back into the attack, with KKR needing a wicket or two to make their way back into the contest.

Kohli flicks the first ball over midwicket for a four before turning the next ball on the leg side for two runs followed by one.

The fast bowler oversteps to give RCB a free hit as the match starts to drift away from KKR's grasp rather quickly.

But Kohli can't make most of the free hit and drives it on the leg side for one.

AB flicks the fifth ball for two runs to deep midwicket to race to his fifty from 29 balls. The last ball is a good yorker but AB somehow manages to get it between his feet and fine on the leg side for a four.

Rajpoot has been hit for 16 runs in his third over to leave RCB with an easy task of scoring 11 from two overs for victory.

RCB 157-1 (17 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

Narine to bowl as he comes back to bowl the 16th over. He keeps it tight for the first five deliveries, giving away just three runs before de Villiers spoils the script by slog sweeping the last ball over deep midwicket for a six.

Narine has finished with good figures of one for 34 in four overs.

Having played every shot possible in front of the wicket, Kohli now reverts to the reverse sweep, hitting Shakib's first ball for a four.

Three singles off the next three balls before AB edges one fine, past the wicketkeeper for the second four of the over and gets two more from the last ball.

Shakib goes for 13 in his final over as RCB reach 157 for one in 17 overs, needing 27 from three overs for victory.

RCB 135-1 (15 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

Kohli has a big swing against a wide delivery from Shakib but fails to make connection. He takes a single from the fifth ball to race to his fifty from 37 balls before AB sweeps the last ball powerfully over square leg for a six.

RCB are 135 for one in 15 overs, needing 49 from five overs for victory. With both AB and Kohli looking in good touch, they should be an easy one for the visitors.

RCB 125-1 (14 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan is introduced into the attack, replacing pacer Rajpoot, who bowled two overs for 12 runs.

Kohli, on 32, gets a lifeline as Gambhir puts down a straightforward chance at point and Shakib is disappointed not to get the wicket of the best batsman in the world in his very first over.

However, Shakib manages to keep it tight, giving away just five in is first over.

Kohli doing well as he turns Chawla with soft hands on the leg side and rushes back for two runs before taking one.

AB comes down the track but fails to get it off the middle as it goes on the bounce to long-on for one and Kohli keeps strike with a single from the last ball.

De Villiers keen to keep the momentum going as he comes down the pitch to Shakib and lofts him over the covers for a six. He gets the next ball in the same region along the ground for two runs as 11 come from the over.

In the next over, Kohli gives Chawla the charge and lofts him back over his head for a six as 13 come from the over.

RCB looking comfortable on 125 for one in 14 overs, needing 59 from six overs for victory.

Kohli playing another gem, batting on 48 from 34 balls, while AB is on 26 from 19 balls.

RCB 91-1 (10 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

After a good first over, Rajpoot suffers in his second over. A short wide delivery is hit through the point region for a four by AB de Villiers for his first boundary hit. Two balls later, he lofts it straight back over the bowler's head for another four to get 10 from the over.

Kohli flicks Narine through midwicket for two runs and then repeats it three balls later for the same result. Narine drifts wide as this time Kohli cuts it through point for a four followed by a single.

At the halfway stage, RCB are 91 for one in 10 overs. They are perfectly on course with another 93 runs needed from the remaining 10 overs for victory.

Kohli is looking good for another knock, batting on 31 from 22 balls, while AB is on 10.

RCB 72-1 (8 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

Young pacer Ankit Rajpoot comes into the attack and he sends down a superb over under the circumstances, conceding just two singles.

Gayle makes up for it by lofting the first ball of Narine's second over for a six over long-off.

But the spinner gets revenge two balls later as he traps Gayle leg before wicket after an entertaining innings of 49 from 31 balls, having hit five fours and four sixes.

The quicker delivery does the trick as Gayle is beaten all ends up and struck on the backfoot deep in the crease. But the West Indian has done his job, adding 71 runs from 45 balls for the opening wicket with Kohli to give his team the perfect start.

Another good over for KKR, as just nine have come from the last two overs to check RCB after the flying start.

RCB 63-0 (6 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

A desperate KKR introduce Sunil Narine into the attack. Gayle watchful as he defends the first two balls but not for long as he sweeps the third ball uppishly behind square for a four.

The next ball is full and this time Gayle plays a cracking drive through the covers for another boundary. This is Gayle at his attacking best as he races to 34 from 19 balls and he is yet to hit top gear. He retains strike with a single from the last ball as RCB go past the 50-run mark, in the fifth over.

Spin from both ends as leg-spinner Piyush Chawla comes into the attack. Gayle picks a single from the first ball before Kohli smashes one but the fielder at cover half stops it to give away just two runs.

Chawla beats Gayle with the google as the West Indian plays down the wrong line but smiles back at the bowler.

He spoils a good over by lofting the last ball down the ground over long-on for a six as RCB reach 63 for no loss in six over. They need another 121 from 14 overs for victory at an asking rate of 8.64.

Gayle is getting back to his attacking best, slamming 42 from 24 balls, while Kohli has made 20 from 12 balls.

RCB 44-0 (4 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

Russell suffers in his second over. The second ball is full and on the pads which Kohli flicks in some style through midwicket for a four before a single gets his partner on strike.

And Gayle shows no mercy on his West Indian team mate carting him for successive sixes. The fifth ball is powerfully smacked straight down the ground for a six before he pulls a short ball into the stands over midwicket to race to 21 from 13 balls.

There is no stopping Gayle and Kohli show as the duo continue their attack against Morkel.

Gayle cuts a short ball over the point region for a four before Kohli steps out and plays a gorgeous lofted shot over the covers for a six.

RCB have raced away to 44 for no loss in four overs.

RCB 15-0 (2 ovs) vs KKR 183-5 | Scorecard

Andre Russell, who played a cameo with the bat, now has the ball in hand to bowl the first over and up against him is his West Indian team mate Chris Gayle.

Gayle gets off the mark with a single from the third ball before Virat Kohli pulls the third ball through the leg side for a four to get off the mark in confident fashion as seven come from the first over.

The tall Morne Morkel to bowl the second over. He starts with three dot balls to Gayle, who finally breaks the shackles as he flicks a full delivery over the midwicket region for a four. The next ball is short and this time Gayle pulls it through the same region for another boundary as RCB reach 15 for no loss in two overs.

KKR 183-5 (20 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Jordan showing that RCB erred by not letting him complete his quota as he comes on to bowl the 19th over, his third of the innings.

He starts with a perfect yorker as Shakib loses his footing trying to keep it out before he gets on to deep midwicket.

Jordan bowls a wide as he misses the slower ball before bowling another full delivery which Russell digs out on the off-side for one and Shakib also gets one from the next.

This is sensational stuff from Jordan as he produces another superb yorker which sees Russell lose his balance this time.

But he spoils the over with a poor delivery, a half-volley outside the off-stump which Russell slams straight down the ground for a six.

Watson to bowl the final over. The Australian takes a few tricks from Jordan's previous over and looks to bowl it full and on the stumps.

Three singles from the first three balls before Russell hits a full toss over the off-side for a four but misses the next, which is again a full toss.

Shakib has a huge swing but fails to make connection and the umpire calls it a wide as the batsmen also sneak an extra bye. Russell heaves the last ball to deep midwicket as Jordan does well on the ropes to give away just two runs.

Kohli is unhappy with that wide call and has a word with umpire Nand Kishore and so does RCB coach Daniel Vettori.

KKR finish on a huge 183 for five with Russell slamming a quickfire 39 from 19 balls, while Shakib hit 18 from 11 balls.

KKR 161-5 (18 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Chahal, who has one over in hand, will continue. Shakib takes a single from the first ball before Russell slaps a wide delivery perfectly in the gap between long-off and sweeper cover for a four.

He hits a similar shot two balls but fails to get it in the gap as Kohli makes a good effort, diving forward at sweeper cover. He gets the ball on the bounce as he looks to take the catch but stops it on the bounce to concede just two runs. Kohli seems to have hurt his finger and goes back to the dressing room to get some treatment on his injured finger.

Jordan has two overs in hand but it is Watson, who is called to bowl the 18th over.

He starts with a yorker to Russell, who picks one but misses the length with the next ball and Shakib despatches the length delivery over the leg side for a six. He has another big swing, this time down the ground but can't get any timing on it for a single to long-off.

Watson dishing out some freebies. Once again Watson bowls it on good length, but also on the legs as Russell flicks it off the pads for a six over square leg.

More horror for Watson as Shakib is dropped off the last ball of the over by Aravind at fine leg.

Watson has bowled a poor over, giving away 16 in his third over helping KKR regain the momentum in the death overs.

KKR 137-5 (16 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

The wickets keep tumbling for KKR. Yadav looks to play the inside out lofted shot against Aravind but fails to time it properly as Abdulla at covers does well to run to his left and take the catch.

Yadav makes his way back for five with KKR reduced to 125 for five, in the 16th over.

They were looking strong on 113 for two at one stage, before losing three wickets for 12 runs in the space of 10 balls.

Good bowling from Aravind, taking two wickets in as many overs to peg back KKR after a good start.

But he bowls a poor delivery, dropping short and Russell pulls it powerfully over midwicket for a six.

Shakib Al Hasan another KKR batsman to get off the mark with a four as he gets a thick outside edge past short thirdman for a four.

Despite the wicket, Aravind concedes 13 runs in his final over to finish with two for 41 in four overs.

KKR 124-4 (15 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Pathan has a wild swing against Chahal but is beaten as the ball turns big. Wicketkeeper KL Rahul whips off the bails in an instant as Pathan walks back immediately but the umpires decide to refer the decision upstairs.

The third umpire rules it out with Pathan's feet clearly outside the crease as he makes his way back after scoring just six.

Suryakumar Yadav gets off the mark with a four, playing a delightful late cute to a wide delivery as he beats the fielder at short thirdman. He tries the short again but this time he gets the edge and keeper Rahul is unable to hold on to a tough chance.

He picks one from the fifth ball and Andre Russell takes one from the last ball as KKR reach 124 for four in 15 overs.

KKR 118-3 (14 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Watson comes back as RCB look to get the wicket of dangerman Pathan early. They won't forget how he had taken the match away from them with his powerful hitting just when RCB looked set for a victory.

Two singles from the first two balls before Pandey pulls a short ball over midwicket for a six and then picks one.

Pathan is beaten outside the off-stump as he plays a loose shot before he misses the fine flick on the leg side as KKR reach 100 for two in 12 overs.

Abdulla has bowled well today and he ends his spell with another good over, conceding just seven. He finishes with good figures of one for 22 in four overs.

Left-arm pacer Aravind comes into the attack. Pandey takes a couple of steps down, makes a bit of room and steers it past point for a four. He takes a single from the next ball to bring up his fifty from 34 balls.

Aravind makes the breakthrough with the crucial wicket of Pandey, who looks to whip it over midwicket but ends up giving a simple catch to AB de Villiers in the deep.

Pandey walks back after a good innings of 50 from 35 balls as KKR are reduced to 113 for three, in the 14th over.

Aravind attempts the leg side yorker as Pathan gets it off the pads and fine for four leg byes.

KKR 91-2 (11 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Against the run of play, KKR lose their captain Gambhir, who is run out after a good innings of 51 from 34 balls.

The left-hander plays the cut shot to Abdulla but fails to beat the fielder at point. However, Pandey has come down a long way and Gambhir decides to respond to the call or rather sacrifice his wicket and walks back dejected, shaking his hand in disappointment.

A few overs earlier, KKR were lucky that the throw came to the wrong end but this time there was no mistake from the fielder on the off-side.

A tidy over from Abdulla, giving away just four runs in his third, while KKR also lose the wicket of their captain Gambhir for 51.

KKR 87-1 (10 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal comes into the attack, replacing Abdulla, who bowled a good first spell of one for 13 in two overs.

Pandey continues his attacking approach as he slogs the second ball over midwicket for a six. Two balls later, Gambhir plays the inside out lofted shot over the covers for a four and cuts the last ball through point for another boundary.

An expensive start from Chahal as he concedes 16 runs in his first over with the partnership between Gambhir and Pandey continuing to score runs freely.

Pacer Chris Jordan is called into the attack. Gambhir is looking very confident as he plays another delightful flick through midwicket for two runs while getting singles from the remaining five deliveries.

Infact, KKR were lucky to escape a run out opportunity as both batsmen were rushing to the same end but were saved as the fielder threw at the wrong end.

Gambhir finally decided to go for the run while Pandey who had hit it to mid-off managed to make the crease at the non-striker's end.

Despite conceding 16 runs in his first over, Chahal will continue. Pandey attempts the slog sweep again but is beaten by one which turns big. He lets the next ball go through which turns big and is called a wide. Gambhir playing sensibly and taking advantage of the gaps in the field as he turns it fine on the leg side for two runs. Pandey wristly steers the fifth ball square on the off-side for two more runs.

A good comeback from Chahal, giving away just eight runs in his second over, half the number of the runs have conceded in his first.

Gambhir playing some smart cricket as he lofts the third ball of Jordan's second over comfortably over the cover fielder but short of the fielder in the deep to pick up two runs.

He takes a quick single from the fourth ball to bring up his fifty, from 32 balls.

At the halfway stage, KKR on course for a huge total as they race to 87 for one in 10 overs.

Pandey has given good support to his captain, hitting 33 from 24 balls, with the duo putting on 73 runs for the second wicket at a run rate of nearly 10.

KKR 51-1 (6 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Pandey looking in an aggressive frame of mind as he gives pacer Aravind the charge but ends up tapping it on the leg side for one.

The next ball is short as Gambhir pulls it confidently through square leg for a four and then takes one to mid-on.

Aravind again drops it short as Pandey pulls it over the leg side for the second four of the over. On a slow wicket, you will be punished if you err with your length.

Pandey swings at the last ball, which is fuller, and gets it in the gap between mid-on and midwicket for the third four of the over.

Despite the early wicket, KKR have raced to 33 for one in four overs.

KKR not looking to take unnecessary risks against Abdulla as they pick four singles from the first four balls.

The spinner then bowls it down the leg side as Gambhir sweeps it fine for a four before taking a single from the last ball to retain strike.

Shane Watson comes into the attack. He starts with two dot balls to Gambhir before he also drops short and the KKR captain pulls it through the leg side for another four. On this slow wicket, the short balls are proving to be easy fodder for the batsmen.

Pandey has been very positive since coming out to the middle. He makes room and steers the last ball of the over for a four through point to KKR past the 50-run mark.

A good recovery from KKR after the early dismissal of Uthappa as they race to 51 for one in six overs.

Gambhir has looked solid on 30 from 21 balls, while Pandey has stroked 19 from 11 balls.

KKR 18-1 (3 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Spin introduced very early as left-armer Iqbal Abdulla comes into the attack. Uthappa looks to target him straightaway as he tries to reverse the first ball but is beaten and struck on the pads. There is a huge appeal from Abdulla and the close-in fielders but the ball seems to be missing the off-stump.

But Abdulla gets his man off the next ball, as Uthappa gets a leading edge trying to turn it on the leg side and the spinner takes a superb one-handed catch diving to his left.

Manish Pandey wastes no time as he slog sweeps the first ball over midwicket to get off the mark with a four.

KKR 14-0 (2 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard

Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir to open the bowling for hosts KKR, while Stuart Binny will bowl the first over for RCB.

Uthappa steals a single from the first ball to mid-off to get off the mark and Gambhir clips the fourth ball square on the leg side for two runs.

Binny bowls a wide half-volley as Gambhir takes full toss, driving it handsomely through the covers for the first boundary of KKR's innings and keep strike with a single from the last ball.

Left-arm pacer Sreenath Aravind to bowl the second over. He bowls a good first over, conceding just two singles from the first five balls before Gambhir flicks the last ball through midwicket for a four as KKr reach 14 for no loss in two overs.

RCB will hope Chris Gayle can finally break his poor run with the bat. The left-hander is in the midst of a miserable run with just 19 runs from five innings.

But it's a known fact that if Gayle comes to party then there's only one winner and it will be interesting to see how he fares against his fellow Jamaican Andre Russell in purple colours.

Russell has been a handy all-rounder for Kolkata Knight Riders giving regular breakthroughs with his pace bowling and also gives his team the luxury of a power-hitter down the order.

With three matches remaining, both the teams are in the mix of things in a tight top-of the-table melee after their respective victories on Saturday.

But it's the second-placed Kolkata Knight Riders, who are ahead requiring just another win to get to the magic figure of 16 points which will take them in the last four of the cash-rich league.

Lying sixth with 10 points, the Royal Challengers on the other hand are left with the arduous task to win all their remainder matches of the league stage so as to keep play-off aspirations alive and also hope that some of the other results go their way.

Welcome to the coverage of the 48th match of the Indian Premier League between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, in Kolkata, on Monday.

Kohli finally manages to win a toss, his fourth in 12 matches, and instantly elects to bowl on what he believes is a damp wicket at the Eden Gardens.

The visitors make one change as left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla comes in for pacer Varun Aaron, while Kolkata Knight Riders are unchanged.