The openers are walking out to the middle. Sandeep Sharma has the new ball in his hand. He will look to generate swing up front
In Brendon McCullum's final Test at the Hagley Oval, he showed the chutzpah to smash Australia's pacers to shreds on a track that offered assistance for the seamers. Are we going to see another of those thrill-a-minute knocks from McCullum today? Fasten your seat belts as we are ready to go again.
"Good to be among the wickets. As a bowler I have to be on top of my game. Tried seam-up deliveries to try and push the batsmen on the back foot. Wasn't really aware that I was the highest wicket-taker in this format. Malinga is the best bowler in the world and nowhere I can match his class. Wishing him a speedy recovery" greets a modest Dwayne Bravo who has had a fantastic night with the ball.
However, Saha and Stoinis kept things going and made sure that if not 200, Punjab had a total which could give them some chance against the firepower of Finch, McCullum and Raina. Credit must be given to Bravo, Faulkner and PK, who were too good at the death to be put away. The new ball did swing a bit in the first half and Sandeep Sharma loves to move it both ways. A few wickets early and we will have a match on. Join us in a while...
They started well, looked well on course to get a big one. Sehwag, the mentor, was confident that if Maxwell and Miller could last till end, Punjab had a chance of getting 200. He was not exaggerating though. Just a while ago, Miller had sent one downtown off Jadeja. But just as Viru's interview got over, Bravo sent Maxwell and Miller back in one over to inflate the tyres of a swiftly moving Punjab motorcade.
19.6 -
Dwayne Bravo to Axar, 2 runs, dropped! Would have been a fifer for Bravo, but Ladda makes a meal off an absolute dolly. Off-cutter outside off, Axar drags the slog and the top-edge flies towards short third man who shows some jitters - Ran forward and allowed the ball to burst through his fingers. Ah! Bravo..
19.5 -
Dwayne Bravo to Axar, 2 runs, very full outside off, Axar sinks low and drives wide of mid-off. A dierct hit from long-off would have been interesting
Mitchell Johnson, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Hooo..hoo. Hat-trick ball coming up...
19.4 -
Dwayne Bravo to Stoinis, out Caught by Finch!! Fourth wicket for Bravo and what a night he's having. Another slower ball and Stoinis is found guilty for playing an ugly a slog - Attempted it way too early and spoons a simple catch to Finch at long-on. Stoinis c Finch b Dwayne Bravo 33(22) [4s-4]
Dwayne Bravo to Stoinis, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
Axar Patel, left handed bat, comes to the crease
19.3 -
Dwayne Bravo to W Saha, out Caught by Jadeja!! Clever stuff from DJ and Jaddu doesn't drop many, ain't it? Followed the batsman as Saha danced down the leg-side. The slower ball finds the toe-end on the swipe and Jaddu takes a sitter at deep mid-wicket. W Saha c Jadeja b Dwayne Bravo 20(25)
Dwayne Bravo to W Saha, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
19.2 -
Dwayne Bravo to Stoinis, 1 run, backs away and bashes a full ball past mid-off
19.1 -
Dwayne Bravo to W Saha, 1 run, slower ball that deceives Saha, went for a loft down the ground sans any timing. Swirls in the air and falls safely around vacant mid-on
Dwayne Bravo [3.0-0-16-2] is back into the attack
Last over coming up.... How much can PUN get? Bravo with the final over duties...
18.6 -
Faulkner to Stoinis, FOUR, 50-run stand comes up. Stoinis is taking full toll of his countryman. Sees the length full and opts for a smack-bang drive through cover. Scorched off the turf!
18.5 -
Faulkner to W Saha, 1 run, slower full ball on off, pinged down to long-on. No timing whatsoever
18.4 -
Faulkner to W Saha, no run, off-pace delivery outside off, Saha shuffles and drops to one knee - Aiming for a lap-scoop. Misses and is rapped on the front pad. Impact outside off
18.3 -
Faulkner to W Saha, 2 runs, full outside off, Saha goes for a full-blooded drive, finds a double through cover
18.2 -
Faulkner to W Saha, no run, slower delivery outside off, Saha was into the slog early, missed
18.1 -
Faulkner to W Saha, 2 runs, in the air but safe! Saha goes for an ambitious loft over cover and miscues it. Ishan Kishan sprints forward, puts in a desperate dive but the ball lands short
17.6 -
P Kumar to Stoinis, FOUR, that's the way to do it Stoinis! Walks across the stumps, bends his knees and scoops a length ball over short fine. Neatly done!
17.5 -
P Kumar to Stoinis, 2 runs, keeps it full and tight on off, Stoinis jams it down and it bounces over PK. Should have been a single but Bravo fires a wayward throw at the bowler's end
17.4 -
P Kumar to W Saha, 1 run, full and towards off, Saha makes room and lifts the drive over mid-off
17.3 -
P Kumar to Stoinis, 1 run, full outside off, biffed down to long-off
17.2 -
P Kumar to W Saha, 1 run, that's smashed - But was too straight and hit the timbers at the other end. Saha bludgeons it straight down the ground and knocks the middle stump. PK fails to make any contact. Tried to deflect it via his boot but makes no contact. The duo hustle for a quick single
17.1 -
P Kumar to Stoinis, 1 run, full ball aiming for the base of off, Stoinis drills to the left of PK who could only parry it towards long-off
18 balls left now. 160 plus?
16.6 -
Faulkner to Stoinis, 1 run, gets a little too straight this time, Stoinis keeps strike with a single down to long leg
16.5 -
Faulkner to Stoinis, 2 runs, from back-of-the-hand this time, Stoinis sits deep inside the crease to punch-drive through cover, good running does the rest
16.4 -
Faulkner to W Saha, 1 run, flicked through mid-wicket
16.3 -
Faulkner to Stoinis, byes, 1 run, S-L-O-W-E-R one again, beats everyone. The batsman, the stumps and the keeper. A blip by DK allows a bye
16.2 -
Faulkner to W Saha, 1 run, the slower spring continues - Saha manages to drive it off the inside half past mid-on
16.1 -
Faulkner to W Saha, no run, goes wide of the crease and angles in a full delivery around the tramline, Saha seeks to go hard through the off-side, doesn't make any contact
Okies! Time for the final stragetic time-out in this innings. Can Stoinis justify his skipper's call - "Marcus Stoinis is our fourth overseas addition tonight. He bats and bowls so obviously a great addition to the team." - Miller's words during the toss. One thing is for sure. We are going to witness a score that haven't been achieved in this T20 League so far. The GOAT (Greatest of all time - chuckles!) is back
15.6 -
P Kumar to Stoinis, 2 runs, the slower short of length delivery, Stoinis stays inside the crease, watches the ball till the last instant and pulls behind square to keep strike
15.5 -
P Kumar to W Saha, 1 run, another slower delivery, around middle and leg, whippily flicked through square leg
15.4 -
P Kumar to W Saha, no run, PK brings out his subtle variations now. Bowls a slower delivery that takes ages to reach Saha who was smidgen early on the leg-side slog. Missed it completely - Done for lack of pace
15.3 -
P Kumar to W Saha, no run, slower back of a length delivery just outside off, Saha taps but couldn't get it past mid-off
15.2 -
P Kumar to Stoinis, 1 run, angled in from a length, Stoinis bunts it down the pitch towards long-on
15.1 -
P Kumar to W Saha, 1 run, good length outside off, punched towards cover
Praveen Kumar [2.0-0-10-0] is back into the attack
Right then! Last 5 overs left. How much can PUN get? Here's PK - Nah, not Aamir Khan - Our very own Praveen Kumar...
14.6 -
Faulkner to W Saha, 1 run, on the pads, clipped to deep square leg
14.6 -
Faulkner to W Saha, wide, down the leg-side, go back Faulkner, you have one more to bowl
14.5 -
Faulkner to Stoinis, 1 run, stepped out and mistimed the heave to long-on
14.4 -
Faulkner to Stoinis, no run, a muted appeal from Faulkner as Stoinis gets his bat in the way - Deflecting the throw, not intentionally done though. Stoinis pushed this full delivery to the left of Faulkner who fields and flings the ball back - In an attempt to knock the stumps. Stoinis turns his back to make his ground, drags his bat too as the ball pings his blade. Wouldn't have hit the stumps I reckon
14.3 -
Faulkner to Stoinis, FOUR, Stoinis must have seen a lot of Faulkner back in Australia. Slower ball splayed well wide of off, Stoinis camps back and cuts square on the off-side. No stopping that fellas!
14.2 -
Faulkner to Stoinis, 2 runs, the slower ball saga continues - Stoinis whips off his hip and a poor throw from deep backward square allows him to make his ground safely. A better throw and Stoinis would have been riding his bike back to the pavilion
14.2 -
Faulkner to Stoinis, wide, off-speed delivery, misdirected, down leg as Stoinis flicks and misses
14.1 -
Faulkner to W Saha, 1 run, expectedly hurls a slower full ball outside off and Saha taps it square on the off-side
James Faulkner [1.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack
Here's the wily fox Faulkner for his second over
13.6 -
Dwayne Bravo to Stoinis, no run, caps off with another slower delivery which is pushed with soft hands towards cover
13.5 -
Dwayne Bravo to Stoinis, FOUR, rare wayward delivery from Bravo - He ain't happy with that and rightly so. Slips this slower short ball down leg and all Stoinis needed to do was help it on its way - Does so with a lovely-looking pull and slotted it in the gap through fine leg - All the way for his first boundary in the T20 League
13.4 -
Dwayne Bravo to Stoinis, no run, rolls his fingers over this full delivery, 108ks, Stoinis jams it towards cover
13.3 -
Dwayne Bravo to W Saha, 1 run, 111ks goodish length outside off, driven neatly through covers
13.2 -
Dwayne Bravo to Stoinis, 1 run, off-pace delivery angled in, Stoinis clips past backward square for a single
13.1 -
Dwayne Bravo to W Saha, 1 run, loopy slower full toss around fifth stump, Saha was befuddled - Just about manages to whip it through square leg
End of a good spell from Jaddu: 4-0-30-2.. Bravo to continue...
12.6 -
Jadeja to W Saha, 1 run, flighted outside off, eased down to long-off
12.5 -
Jadeja to Stoinis, 1 run, angled in on middle and leg, punchily worked towards long-on
12.4 -
Jadeja to W Saha, 1 run, tossed up just outside off, driven modestly past cover
12.3 -
Jadeja to Stoinis, 1 run, leg-sidish stuff again, flicked off the pads behind square leg
12.2 -
Jadeja to W Saha, 1 run, on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket
12.1 -
Jadeja to W Saha, no run, Saha dabs this towards backward point and looks for a quick single. Stoinis was half-way down the pitch - Sent back and Stoinis had to make a desperate dive to ground his bat - beating an accurate throw from Baz. Knocked the stumps but Stoinis had just made it in
Marcus Stoinis, right handed bat, comes to the crease
11.6 -
Dwayne Bravo to D Miller, out Bowled!! TIMBAAAH! 300th T20 wicket for DJ Bravo. Yet again that middle stump cries in pain - Not a pacy delivery but Bravo has enough tricks in his bag to consume PUN skipper. 110ks fullish delivery on middle, Miller was stuck in the crease - No feet movement too. Fails to put bat to ball on the flick. This should deter Punjab's momentum. D Miller b Dwayne Bravo 15(10) [4s-1 6s-1]
Dwayne Bravo to D Miller, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!
11.5 -
Dwayne Bravo to W Saha, 1 run, shortish delivery outside off, Saha rises on his toes and punches it towards backward point. The fielder attempts a direct hit at the bowler's end - hits and concedes an extra run as the ball deflected off the stumps
Wriddhiman Saha, right handed bat, comes to the crease
11.4 -
Dwayne Bravo to Maxwell, out Bowled!! Bring out the CHAMPION DANCE everyone. Bravo is chuffed to bits as the leather kisses the base of middle stump. Whoa! Whadday a sight for a bowler. Maxi follows Murali Vijay's footsteps as he backs away tad too early to crunch one through the off-side. Didn't read the full delivery (a pacy yorker in fact) and the bails fly high sending Maxi back to the pavilion. Maxwell b Dwayne Bravo 2(4)
Dwayne Bravo to Maxwell, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!
11.3 -
Dwayne Bravo to Maxwell, no run, lovely from Deejay Bravo! Tests Maxi with a bouncer and the latter is quite happy to let that go
Maxwell pulls out just when Bravo is about to deliver, not sure why...
11.2 -
Dwayne Bravo to D Miller, 1 run, takes the pace of the ball and bowls it on a good length just outside off, punched to the right of a diving bowler for an easy single
11.2 -
Dwayne Bravo to D Miller, wide, errs in line this time, hurls a full ball down the leg-side as Miller flicks and misses
11.1 -
Dwayne Bravo to Maxwell, 1 run, short delivery angled into the batsman, Maxwell rolls his wrists over the pull, placed it through square leg
10.6 -
Jadeja to D Miller, SIX, that's gone high into the night sky! Fetch that! Miller uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the flatter delivery and launches it into the wide long-on stands
10.5 -
Jadeja to Maxwell, 1 run, generously tossed it up on off, Maxi is content to tap one into the off-side, off the mark with a single
Glenn Maxwell, right handed bat, comes to the crease
10.4 -
Jadeja to Vijay, out Bowled!! Jaddu does it in style! Pumps his fist in delight as he nips a dangerous-looking Murali Vijay. Bowled it at his usual pace - 97ks - The ball skidded off the surface and pinged the leg peg as Vijay made too much of a room to play the fancy loft through the off-side. Missed and sees his stumps shattered. Much needed wicket for the Lions. Vijay b Jadeja 42(34) [4s-5 6s-1]
Jadeja to Vijay, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!
10.3 -
Jadeja to D Miller, 1 run, stays back inside the crease this time, Jadeja dragged his length back but his line didn't chage, worked off the hip to fine leg
10.2 -
Jadeja to D Miller, 2 runs, dances down the track to this flatter delivery around leg-stump and flicks off the inside half towards fine leg
10.1 -
Jadeja to Vijay, 1 run, quicker one sprayed into the pads, Vijay uses his wrists to flick that behind square for an easy single
9.6 -
Dwayne Bravo to Vijay, 1 run, smart from Bravo, Vijay made some room but the West Indian followed him with a slower delivery. Vijay whipped it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a single
9.5 -
Dwayne Bravo to Vijay, no run, off-pace delivery from Bravo once again, Vijay stayed leg-side, mistimes the drive back to the bowler
9.4 -
Dwayne Bravo to Vijay, 2 runs, reminded me of Kohli, waits on this back of a length delivery and tucked in front of mid-wicket. Before the fielder could rush in and throw to the striker's end, Vijay had stolen two
9.3 -
Dwayne Bravo to Vijay, no run, heavy ball from Bravo, Vijay bends a bit and lets it go
9.2 -
Dwayne Bravo to D Miller, 1 run, length delivery angled across Miller, punches it to sweeper cover
9.1 -
Dwayne Bravo to Vijay, 1 run, slower delivery just outside off, Vijay steers it fine to third man for a single
Dwayne Bravo, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
8.6 -
Jadeja to D Miller, no run, similar delivery from Jadeja, clipped it to mid-wicket
8.5 -
Jadeja to D Miller, no run, flatter delivery on the pads of Miller, gets it off his pads to short fine leg
8.4 -
Jadeja to D Miller, FOUR, there was no short fine leg place and that has cost Jadeja, Miller got the flick off the inner part of the bat after using his feet, the ball scurried to the fence
8.3 -
Jadeja to D Miller, no run, quicker delivery from Jadeja, Miller pushes it back to the bowler
David Miller, left-handed bat, comes to the crease
8.2 -
Jadeja to Vohra, out Caught by D Karthik!! Jadeja is not a pushover and he has come back hard to send Vohra back to the hut. Bowled it quicker and flatter, Vohra was beaten for pace as he tried to nurdle it into the on-side, got a faint edge onto his front pad that deflected towards Karthik's right who moved swiftly to gobble it up. With that wicket, the umpires have called for the strategic time-out. Vohra c D Karthik b Jadeja 38(23) [4s-4 6s-2]
Jadeja to Vohra, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
8.1 -
Jadeja to Vohra, SIX, sinks down on one knee on this flatter delivery and slogs it over deep mid-wicket, plenty of power behind that shot and it goes all the way
8.1 -
Jadeja to Vohra, wide, slipped down the leg-side, Vohra almost lost the balance as Karthik dislodged the bails
7.6 -
Ladda to Vohra, 1 run, length was not quite up there and the line was just outside off, Vohra steered it to short third man
7.5 -
Ladda to Vohra, FOUR, that is the pressure of being hit in attempting to flight the ball. Drops this one well short and Vohra camps back and pulls it, finds the gap at deep mid-wicket for a four
7.4 -
Ladda to Vohra, SIX, takes this one on the full and cracks it over the bowler's head, goes all the way for a maximum. Went quite a distance
7.3 -
Ladda to Vijay, 1 run, drag sweep (if there is one) from Vijay, towards the same man Jadeja at deep square leg for a single
7.2 -
Ladda to Vijay, 2 runs, Vijay was slightly off-balance but managed to drag the sweep to deep square leg, Jadeja did well to keep it down to one
7.1 -
Ladda to Vijay, no run, quicker one, a wrong 'un and Vijay missed to read it, was hit on the pad. There was an appeal from the bowler but the ball would have slid down the leg-side
6.6 -
Jadeja to Vohra, 2 runs, inside-out lofted drive from Vohra as the line was on middle and off, gets it wide of long-off for a couple
6.5 -
Jadeja to Vijay, 1 run, Vijay is eyeing the ball well so he gets the flick off the middle of the bat towards backward square leg
6.4 -
Jadeja to Vohra, leg byes, 1 run, Jadeja is sticking to middle and leg line, this time Vohra gets it off his pad towards the keeper
6.3 -
Jadeja to Vohra, no run, replica of the previous delivery, once again Vohra misses it and the ball rolls along the pitch
6.2 -
Jadeja to Vohra, no run, quicker one from Jadeja, Vohra misses the flick and is rapped on the pad, would have gone down the leg-side
6.1 -
Jadeja to Vijay, leg byes, 1 run, Jadeja splays it on the pads of Vijay, missed the flick, goes off the pad, keeper tidies up but not before a single is taken
Ravindra Jadeja, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack
5.6 -
Ladda to Vijay, 1 run, fraction short and Vijay hangs back to whip it through mid-wicket for a single
5.5 -
Ladda to Vijay, no run, the ball was a flighted one outside off and Vijay pushed at it, dragged his back leg out of the crease but got it in the crease before any damage could be done
Third umpire has been pressed into action for a stumping appeal. Vijay is the man in question, legal delivery. But Dinesh Karthik is not quick enough I think. Vijay did drag his back leg but might have got it back just in time. Not out it is
5.4 -
Ladda to Vijay, FOUR, elegant from Vijay, uses his feet a bit and then wrists the lofted drive through long-on, one bounce over the ropes
5.3 -
Ladda to Vohra, 1 run, slogged against the turn but Vohra can afford that as it is not turning that much. Dragged it from well wide of off to deep mid-wicket
5.2 -
Ladda to Vijay, 1 run, Vijay clips this one off his pads to mid-wicket for a single
5.1 -
Ladda to Vijay, no run, pitched on leg and going further down, Vijay missed the flick and got rapped on the pad. Ladda though thought it was an lbw chance and appealed unnecessarily
Sarabjit Ladda, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
4.6 -
Faulkner to Vohra, FOUR, that will make Federer proud, a double-handed forehand from Vohra. Back of the hand slower delivery from Faulkner and Vohra read it well, slapped it past extra cover. It was in the air for a while but beyond anyone's reach in the ring on the off-side
4.5 -
Faulkner to Vohra, FOUR, we can call that a pick up shot, lot of wrists on it as Vohra lifts it over backward square leg and the ball races away to the fence
4.4 -
Faulkner to Vohra, no run, length delivery around middle and leg, Vohra wrists it towards mid-wicket
4.3 -
Faulkner to Vohra, no run, back of a length delivery angled across, Vohra wants to guide it to third man, gets beaten
4.2 -
Faulkner to Vohra, 2 runs, shortish delivery and dropped by Bravo at deep mid-wicket. Vohra threw his bat on the pull and did not time it at all, the ball spooned high, Bravo rushed in, got both hands as he dived forward but just as he made contact with the surface the ball popped out. There was a run-out appeal at the striker's end as well but Vohra was well in with a dive, confirmed by the third umpire
4.1 -
Faulkner to Vohra, FOUR, Vijay's shot-making has rubbed onto Vohra as well, he stays leg-side of this fullish delivery and drives it past mid-off for a scintillating four
James Faulkner, comes into the attack
3.6 -
Sangwan to Vijay, no run, Vijay does well with the drive once again, has no luck with the gap though, the shot was intercepted at cover-point this time
3.5 -
Sangwan to Vijay, FOUR, Vijay is warming up nicely. Slower delivery and he saw it off Sangwan's hand, waited for it and opened the bat for on the up drive to find the gap through cover-point
3.4 -
Sangwan to Vijay, 2 runs, punches this one down the ground to beat the mid-off fielder, long-on covers a fair bit of ground to keep it down to a brace
3.3 -
Sangwan to Vijay, FOUR, just a flick of the wrists and this has followed Vijay's command to race to the deep backward square leg fence. It was not that bad a ball but Vijay made a shot out of it by getting across and then clipped it uppishly
3.2 -
Sangwan to Vijay, no run, pats this length ball to extra cover and was looking for a single. Vijay changed his mind at the last moment and Vohra had to rush back. The underarm throw from the fielder was way off target
3.1 -
Sangwan to Vohra, 1 run, pitches this one on middle and leg, Vohra tucks it off his thighs to backward square leg
Slip's vanished
2.6 -
P Kumar to Vijay, no run, outswing from Praveen and almost gets the better of Vijay, he wanted to poke at it away from the body and was beaten all ends up
2.5 -
P Kumar to Vijay, FOUR, on the rise drive and how well did he time that. The fielder at cover is a mere spectator. Vijay did not lean into the drive, waited for the ball to come to him and might have opened the bat-face a touch to get it in the gap
2.4 -
P Kumar to Vohra, 1 run, touch short and Praveen does not have the pace to trouble the batter. He goes back and nurdles it wide of mid-on for a single
2.3 -
P Kumar to Vohra, no run, gets this one to nip in a bit to Vohra, he stays back and wrists it to the right of the bowler
2.2 -
P Kumar to Vijay, 1 run, Praveen is looking for swing around off, did not get it this time. Vijay push-drives to extra cover
2.1 -
P Kumar to Vohra, 1 run, Praveen gets it too full, almost in Vohra's blockhole, Vohra digs it out towards mid-wicket
1.6 -
Sangwan to Vijay, FOUR, and this is too good from Vijay. Confluence of timing, balance and placement. Leaned into the drive on a half-volley and beat the fielder at extra cover with ease
1.5 -
Sangwan to Vijay, SIX, is there anything called early in a T20? I do not think so. Length delivery around off and middle and Vijay heaved at it, did not get it off the meat of the bat but still had enough to sail over wide long-on. He stepped out to get underneath that
1.4 -
Sangwan to Vijay, no run, length delivery just around off, Vijay drives off the front foot towards cover-point
1.3 -
Sangwan to Vijay, no run, big appeal from Sangwan but it was too high perhaps. Vijay swung across the line and did not make any connection, the ball brushed his back thigh and scoot through to the keeper
1.2 -
Sangwan to Vijay, no run, one slip in place for Sangwan as well. Keeps this full well outside off, Vijay wanted to carve this away, did not get any willow on the ball
1.1 -
Sangwan to Vijay, no run, Sangwan too gets this one to curl in just a touch around off, Vijay defends it back to the bowler
Pradeep Sangwan, comes into the attack
So PK got what he wanted, swing. A wicket would have been nice from his perspective though
0.6 -
P Kumar to Vijay, 1 run, Vijay moved across a touch this time, the ball moved away and took a thick leading edge as Vijay defended at it. The ball rolls to third man for a single once again
0.5 -
P Kumar to Vijay, no run, no one in India leaves it better than Vijay. Displayed it once again, covered his sticks and let this outswinger go to the keeper
0.4 -
P Kumar to Vohra, 1 run, back of a length this time, Vohra allows it to swing and then guides it to third man
0.3 -
P Kumar to Vohra, no run, oh the envious stuff from Praveen, gets this one to move away. Vohra lets it go
0.2 -
P Kumar to Vohra, no run, swing again for Praveen, Vohra does well to roll the wrists on the flick, mid-on tidies up
0.1 -
P Kumar to Vijay, 1 run, bit of inswing for PK, gets this one to shape in, Vijay got an inside edge onto his pad on the flick. The ball rolled towards mid-wicket and Vijay is off the mark
Vijay and Vohra are at the crease. Vijay is on strike. P Kumar will open the attack
So, the third lopsided contest in this T20 League. Not an ideal start but we all know that things can take off at any time. A solid win for the Gujarat this. They must have been a bag of nerves coming into this league but this should settle them down. That's all we have from this one. We'll be back tomorrow when BLR take on HYD at the Chinnaswamy. Cheers!
Finch: "It's nice to start the tournament well from the team's point of view. Credit to the bowlers for pulling it back. Beautiful wicket, it had enough grass on it, and the ball just skidded on under lights. We thought it might slow up but it didn't. You need a bit of luck in this format when you are trying to go hard at the top of the order. Very happy to be here [in the GUJ franchise]. Great owners, and great people involved in Hodgie and Suresh."
Finch is Man of the Match
Raina: "It's a good feeling. We bowled very well - Bravo, PK, Faulkner, Jadeja. At one stage I thought they will get 200, but bowlers did a fantastic job. We do have a lot of foreign captains in our side as well as Hodgie. His experience came in handy. Finch batted well, wicket was very good, and credit goes to all the players. As a game plan, I was batting at No. 3. It was a very good game for us and we will look to stay positive in the next game too."
As nerves frayed, Dinesh Karthik played with a calm head on his shoulders to steer them home. The bulk of the credit though, has to go to Finch for playing with a touch of fearlessness to crack a 47-ball 74. Earlier, PUN started on a bright note with Murali Vijay and Manan Vohra checking in a series of sumptuous shots. But their advantage began to shrink with Dwayne Bravo bowling a slew of slower ones to befuddle the opposition ranks and snaffle four scalps. Only a well-measured 22-ball 33 by Stoinis ensured PUN would end up with a decent total. On a track that offered even bounce, it didn't prove to be enough. PUN have now lost nine out of their last 10 games in the T20 League.
In a game full of twists and turns, Gujarat held their nerve to emerge victorious. The Gujarat franchise, who were making their debut in the T20 League, seemed to be coasting towards the target. However, Aaron Finch and Ravindra Jadeja were chugged down in quick succession to give Punjab a window of opportunity of mounting a comeback.
It's all smiles in the middle. Even from the PUN players, who are certainly not sulking or anything. "You hit the nail on the head, we didn't have enough on the board. 180 would have been nice. We were always on the back foot from there. And Finch's knock made it very difficult. First six overs were rushed to be honest. It's tough with the ball travelling all over the show. We are not aware of it [our poor home record]. It's certainly not a mental thing. It's a good wicket and a fast outfield. We love playing here, but it's just worked out that way. Still 13 games to go. It's not how you start but how you finish," optimism oozing from Miller. And he's right. No point in getting bogged down after one defeat.
17.4 -
Mohit Sharma to D Karthik, FOUR, Karthik blasts the pull in front of square and Gujarat taste victory in their debut T20 League game. A dominating performance by the newbies and PUN have been blown away in their own backyard
17.3 -
Mohit Sharma to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, short ball in line with the stumps and Bravo controls the pull well to deep square
17.2 -
Mohit Sharma to D Karthik, 1 run, it's in the slot and Karthik is in a hurry. Tries to club it over long-on, doesn't time it well and it goes on the bounce to the fielder
17.1 -
Mohit Sharma to Dwayne Bravo, 1 run, slower short ball which bounces nicely in line with off. Bravo has enough time, swivels across and rolls his wrists to help the pull behind square
Mohit Sharma [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack
16.6 -
Johnson to D Karthik, FOUR, wow. Do they still exist? The good old days of yore. Stands tall to a short of length delivery and punches it straight past mid-off
Dwayne Bravo, right handed bat, comes to the crease
16.5 -
Johnson to Ishan Kishan, out Caught by Mohit Sharma!! Full and very wide outside off, Kishan stretches out to reach and slices it in the air. Straight to backward point, where Mohit nearly embarrasses himself. One juggle, two juggles .. still doesn't have it .. and luckily squeezes it between his forearm and chest. Ishan Kishan c Mohit Sharma b Johnson 11(8) [4s-2]
Johnson to Ishan Kishan, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
16.4 -
Johnson to Ishan Kishan, FOUR, off-cutter and Kishan heaves it over mid-wicket. Ensured that he had a solid base, sized it up and whacked it away
16.3 -
Johnson to Ishan Kishan, no run, backs away and Johnson senses his fear. Pounds it short and Kishan is very late on the pull
16.2 -
Johnson to D Karthik, 1 run, chaotic running by this pair. Dabbed towards backward point, it's straight to the man, and still Karthik wants the run. Kishan sends him back, but there's no way Karthik is making it. He's blessed though that there's no direct-hit and they can then take the overthrow
16.1 -
Johnson to D Karthik, FOUR, oh my goodness! That's a blazing drive from Karthik. Steps out to Johnson, converts it into a half-volley and scorches it over extra-cover
15.6 -
Pardeep Sahu to Ishan Kishan, FOUR, hacks it down to the fine leg fence. Sahu misdirects the googly down leg, and Kishan paddles it powerfully
15.5 -
Pardeep Sahu to Ishan Kishan, 2 runs, leg-sidish, maybe deliberately done after seeing Kishan give the charge. Kishan adapts and whips it in the air through square leg. Mistimed it but no one in the ring
15.4 -
Pardeep Sahu to Ishan Kishan, no run, advances looking to hoick it with the turn, but gets a thick inside edge onto pad
15.3 -
Pardeep Sahu to D Karthik, 1 run, goes down on one knee and sweeps it behind square. Lots of backspin on the ball and the keeper shouts to make the fielder aware of the same
15.2 -
Pardeep Sahu to D Karthik, no run, slightly short outside off, and it's been cut hard. Not past backward point though
15.1 -
Pardeep Sahu to Ishan Kishan, leg byes, 1 run, massive hesitation from Kishan. He misses the flick and the ball dribbles wide of mid-wicket. Karthik is off straightaway but Kishan takes his time. Ends up having to put a dive and still a direct-hit would have consumed him
14.6 -
Johnson to D Karthik, no run, on a back of a length outside off, steered towards backward point
14.5 -
Johnson to D Karthik, no run, sharp. Runs in hard and pounds it halfway down from round the wicket, Karthik is quick to arch his back and sway away. He had to be quick
14.4 -
Johnson to Ishan Kishan, 1 run, tailing in sharply but it's misdirected down leg, Kishan glances it away to fine leg
Ishan Kishan, left handed bat, comes to the crease
14.3 -
Johnson to D Karthik, out Jadeja Run Out!! Johnson likes this. He really does. Leaps and punches the air after sidefooting the ball onto the stumps. Karthik had inside edged it onto pad and it rolled away beside the pitch, they decide to take Johnson on but once the pacer's footballing skills pay off, Jadeja is well short. Yards short. Jadeja run out (Johnson) 8(12)
Johnson to D Karthik, THAT'S OUT!! Run Out!!
14.2 -
Johnson to Jadeja, 1 run, pounds it on a short of length, might have been a cutter, Jadeja relaxes on the back foot and works it defensively towards mid-on
14.1 -
Johnson to Jadeja, leg byes, 2 runs, pacy and full with a hint of tail on it which takes it on Jadeja's pads. He's beaten for pace and the ball deflects off his pad in front of fine leg. Anureet is too slow to get to it, and the batsmen are alert to capitalize
Mitchell Johnson [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack
Johnson is back..
13.6 -
Pardeep Sahu to D Karthik, FOUR, superbly done! Yes it's premeditated, but he is so quick to get into position and reverse-sweeps it with the turn past backward point. Speeds away to the third man fence
13.5 -
Pardeep Sahu to Jadeja, 1 run, only slightly short outside off and it's been chopped in front of backward point
13.4 -
Pardeep Sahu to Jadeja, 2 runs, not sure if he's got a leading edge but the ball is soaring away straight down the ground. Certainly hasn't timed it and it lands well inside the ropes, before being flicked back into play by long-on
13.3 -
Pardeep Sahu to Jadeja, no run, this is a good length. Jadeja can't really smother it despite a lunge forward. But this track is so good that there is very little turn. Allows him to block comfortably
There's a slip in place for Jadeja
13.2 -
Pardeep Sahu to D Karthik, 1 run, drives it powerfully with the turn to the left of long-off who glides across and keeps them to a single
13.1 -
Pardeep Sahu to Jadeja, 1 run, well tossed up googly, but Sahu has dropped it too full on the stumps, flicked to deep mid-wicket
One way traffic at the moment as we take the final strategic timeout. It's a real belter, this track. And to be honest, 161 didn't look enough. 41 needed from 42 balls. Should be done at a canter, unless there is a dramatic turnaround which seems unlikely.
12.6 -
Mohit Sharma to Jadeja, 1 run, on the hips, another cutter, Jadeja glances it to fine leg
12.5 -
Mohit Sharma to Jadeja, no run, takes the pace off the ball, and Jadeja sees it nicely out of the hand. Plonks his front foot forward to defend
12.4 -
Mohit Sharma to Jadeja, 2 runs, shortish and angling away outside off, and Jadeja late-cuts it behind backward point. Runs back for two before the throw comes in
12.3 -
Mohit Sharma to Jadeja, no run, now he does. Sees the width and flashes but his feet were chained to the crease. Couldn't connect
12.2 -
Mohit Sharma to Jadeja, no run, slants it away from the leftie trying to draw a loose drive. Jadeja doesn't go for it
12.1 -
Mohit Sharma to D Karthik, 1 run, off-cutter on a length around off, Karthik angles it towards third man
Mohit Sharma [1.0-0-13-0] is back into the attack
11.6 -
Pardeep Sahu to Jadeja, no run, flatter wrong 'un around off, slightly short in length and allows Jadeja time on the back foot to defend
Ravindra Jadeja, left handed bat, comes to the crease
11.5 -
Pardeep Sahu to Finch, out Stumped!! Finch is furious. He hurls his gloves on the sidelines and barges into the dressing room. Maybe he's just disgusted with himself for being outdone by a rookie. Excellent flight on the ball from Sahu this time, lures Finch forward and out of his crease as he tries to reach the pitch but it dips on him and turns past the edge. Back foot is well out. Nevertheless, a brilliant knock from the opener. Finch st W Saha b Pardeep Sahu 74(47) [4s-12]
Pardeep Sahu to Finch, THAT'S OUT!! Stumped!!
11.4 -
Pardeep Sahu to Finch, FOUR, slapped hard and bursts through the hands of backward point. Or maybe it was over him. Shortish and turning away wide of off, and Finch doesn't hold back on the cut. Rockets away to the fence after clearing the fielder
11.3 -
Pardeep Sahu to D Karthik, 1 run, tries a cheeky paddled scoop but fails to control the bounce. It loops up off a thick top edge and drops well in front of short third man
11.2 -
Pardeep Sahu to D Karthik, FOUR, absolutely wallops the sweep through square leg. Lots of power. Sees the flight, goes on one knee and bashes it away
11.1 -
Pardeep Sahu to Finch, 1 run, googly which hardly turns and Finch comfortably nudges it to long-on off the back foot
10.6 -
Sandeep Sharma to D Karthik, no run, full and straight and Karthik is slightly early to close his bat face on it, wanders back down the pitch of a soft leading edge
10.5 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, 1 run, kisses the deck on a back of a length and Finch chops it towards long-off. Threw his hands to slap it hard but the bat turned on impact
10.4 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, FOUR, short ball, and just hangs up outside off. At 126ks, it loops up off the deck rather than bursting through. Finch rises with it and ramps it past short third man
10.3 -
Sandeep Sharma to D Karthik, 1 run, length ball just outside off and Karthik is nicely leaning on it to pat it wide of cover. Bolts away for the single
10.2 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, 1 run, very full once more, jammed towards long-on
10.1 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, 2 runs, very low full toss, almost lands in the blockhole around middle and Finch drills it straight back down the ground. Couldn't really find the power as he got it towards the toe-end and Manan cuts it off with a sprint and slide from long-on
Sandeep Sharma [2.0-0-12-1] is back into the attack
9.6 -
Pardeep Sahu to Finch, 1 run, short and wide delivery, Finch cuts it to sweeper cover for another easy single
9.5 -
Pardeep Sahu to D Karthik, 1 run, Karthik camps back and cuts this shorter in length delivery to sweeper cover
9.4 -
Pardeep Sahu to Finch, 1 run, shorter in length and on the stumps, Finch whipped down to long-on
9.3 -
Pardeep Sahu to Finch, FOUR, now that was a mighty strike by Finch. Half-tracker bowled at 77ks, Finch camps back and uses the short-arm pull. It raced away to the deep mid-wicket boundary
9.2 -
Pardeep Sahu to D Karthik, 1 run, again Sahu bowls it short and wide, Karthik cuts it to sweeper cover
9.1 -
Pardeep Sahu to Finch, 1 run, width on offer, Finch cuts it to deep extra cover
Pardeep Sahu, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Strategic Time-Out in place now. Gujarat' top-order have given the team a rousing start and now they find themselves in a position of strength. Aaron Finch has led from the front and has unfurled a series of fine shots. Raina too showed his worth with his pyrotechnics
8.6 -
Axar to Finch, 1 run, too straight from Axar, Finch uses the depth of the crease to pick a single to mid-wicket
8.6 -
Axar to Finch, wide, sliding down leg, Finch misses out with his tuck, adjudged as a wide
8.5 -
Axar to D Karthik, 1 run, flatter delivery and on the stumps, Karthik pats it to long-on
8.4 -
Axar to Finch, 1 run, Finch takes this one on the full and works it to mid-wicket
8.3 -
Axar to D Karthik, 1 run, too full from Axar, driven to sweeper cover
8.2 -
Axar to D Karthik, no run, a bit of confusion there between the duo. But in the end no damage done. Karthik drives a flatter delivery to mid-off and the non-striker set off for a single, but rightly sent back
8.1 -
Axar to Finch, 1 run, stump-to-stump line, Finch drives it to long-off
7.6 -
Stoinis to D Karthik, FOUR, low full toss from Stoinis, Karthik drives it to long-off for another easy boundary. Poor stuff by Stoinis though
7.5 -
Stoinis to Finch, 1 run, Finch punches this one to long-on
7.4 -
Stoinis to Finch, FOUR, Finch brings up a well-constructed fifty with a superbly timed shot. Another off-pace delivery from Stoinis, Finch cracks the punchy-drive straight down the ground. No need to run for those. He raises his bat to acknowledge the crowd and his teammates. He has explored every nook and corner of the ground today
7.3 -
Stoinis to D Karthik, 1 run, fuller length delivery and just outside off, Karthik drives it all along the carpet square on the off-side
7.2 -
Stoinis to Finch, 1 run, slower one that dips on the batsman, Finch takes it on the full and works it to long-on
7.1 -
Stoinis to Finch, FOUR, plenty of width offered by Stoinis, Finch stays back, waited for the ball to arrive and despite the fielder at backward point putting in a dive to his left, it vroomed away to the fence. In fact, it was a slower one that did not come out right from Stoinis's hand
6.6 -
Axar to Finch, 1 run, slower through the air and on off-stump, Finch drives it to sweeper cover
6.5 -
Axar to Finch, FOUR, another fired in delivery from Axar, but it was drifting down leg, Finch used the pace of the bowler to clip it past the man at short fine leg and it raced away to the fence
6.4 -
Axar to D Karthik, 1 run, flatter delivery and on the stumps, Karthik clips it to mid-wicket
6.3 -
Axar to D Karthik, FOUR, slower through the air, but Axar offers the width, Karthik uses the depth of the crease to go back and play a crunching cut shot to beat the fielder at backward point and collect a boundary
6.2 -
Axar to Finch, 1 run, quicker one, but splayed down leg, Finch waits for it and then clips it to deep backward square leg
6.1 -
Axar to Finch, no run, flatter delivery and on the stumps, driven towards the cover-region
Axar Patel, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack
5.6 -
Stoinis to Finch, 1 run, slower one and just outside off, Finch drives it to extra cover, where Miller fumbles and the pair pinch a single
5.5 -
Stoinis to Finch, FOUR, mediocred with width, Finch cracks the cut and it zooms away to the sweeper cover boundary. It was timed to perfection
5.4 -
Stoinis to Finch, no run, good length delivery and just outside off, driven into the off-side
Dinesh Karthik, right handed bat, comes to the crease
5.3 -
Stoinis to Raina, out Caught by Johnson!! Stoinis outfoxes the big fish, Raina with a slower one. Now, that is a key incision made by PUN as Raina was looking dangerous. The slower one that was bowled on the stumps, Raina took a step out of the crease to loft, but got it off the toe-end. His bat also turned in his hand. Johnson at mid-on back-pedalled to take a fine catch. Raina c Johnson b Stoinis 20(9) [4s-1 6s-2]
Stoinis to Raina, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
5.2 -
Stoinis to Raina, SIX, well, that is a trademark shot by Raina. Back of a length delivery and angled away from Raina, he plonks his front foot and pulls it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum
5.1 -
Stoinis to Finch, 1 run, the slower one and Stoinis hits a yorker length, clipped to mid-wicket
Marcus Stoinis, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
4.6 -
Johnson to Finch, 1 run, another cross-seamer by Johnson, eased down to third man
4.5 -
Johnson to Finch, no run, the cross-seamer from round the wicket by Johnson, Finch pats it to cover-point and sets off for a quick single, but rightly sent back by his partner. The fielder at cover-point flings in a throw at the batsman's end, but misses
4.4 -
Johnson to Raina, 1 run, back of a length delivery and angled in, Raina camps back and dabs it to gully
4.4 -
Johnson to Raina, wide, Johnson has lost his radar. He yet again bowls it down leg, Raina looks to whip it to fine leg after shuffling across the sticks, but misses, signalled as a wide
4.4 -
Johnson to Raina, wide, splayed down leg, Raina aims to help it around the corner and connects with thin air, adjudged as a wide
4.3 -
Johnson to Finch, 1 run, back of a length delivery and on the stumps, worked to backward square leg
4.2 -
Johnson to Finch, FOUR, shortish delivery and just outside off, Finch stays slightly leg-side of the ball and eases it down to third man with an open bat face. Nice timing and placement from him
Finch isn't exactly happy with the bat. For now, he is continuing with it
4.1 -
Johnson to Finch, no run, fullish and angled away from Finch, who hangs back in the drive and essays a drive towards cover-point
Mitchell Johnson [1.0-0-11-0] is back into the attack
3.6 -
Mohit Sharma to Raina, FOUR, shortish delivery, but drifting down leg, Raina aims for the pull. He doesn't get it right off the middle of the bat, but it had enough legs on it to run away to the fine leg boundary
3.5 -
Mohit Sharma to Raina, no run, from close to the stumps, Sharma hits a good length, Raina stays back a touch and punches it to mid-on
3.4 -
Mohit Sharma to Raina, no run, back of a length delivery and just outside off, Raina camps back and dabs it to backward point, but can't bisect the gap
3.3 -
Mohit Sharma to Finch, 1 run, a tad fuller and zeroing in on the stumps, Finch works it to mid-on for a quick single
3.2 -
Mohit Sharma to Finch, FOUR, more power from Finch. Sharma lands it on a short of length and bowls it outside off, Finch heaves it across the line and despite the fielder at mid-wicket putting in a desperate dive, it raced away to the boundary boards
3.1 -
Mohit Sharma to Finch, FOUR, good length delivery and outside off, Finch biffs it across the line and the ball scurries to the mid-wicket fence
Mohit Sharma, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
2.6 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, 1 run, too straight from Sharma, clipped to deep mid-wicket
2.5 -
Sandeep Sharma to Raina, 3 runs, drifting down leg, Raina clips it to fine leg, where the fielder runs around the cirumference and slides to save a run for his team. The third umpire was called in to check whether he had made a clean stop. One could clearly see that he was fine there
2.4 -
Sandeep Sharma to Raina, SIX, sumptuous shot by Raina there. Good length delivery and on off-stump, Raina lofts it through the line and holds the poise after playing the shot for the camera. It was taken by the security guard
2.3 -
Sandeep Sharma to Raina, no run, a tad fuller and angled away from Raina, defended
2.2 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, 1 run, well, Finch had to scamper across there. In the end, he did slide his bat in and made his ground. Finch mistimes the drive to mid-off and sets off for a quick single. The fielder at mid-off swoops down on the ball quickly and fires in a throw at the bowler's end and misses. Anyway, the batsman was in
2.1 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, no run, back of a length delivery and just outside off, Finch cracks the punch, but the fielder at cover dives to his left and saves a certain boundary. Nice bit of fielding by Axar
1.6 -
Johnson to Finch, 1 run, from over the wicket, Johnson lands it on a good length and zooms it on the stumps, Finch clips it to deep square leg after rolling his wrists on it
1.5 -
Johnson to Finch, FOUR, short delivery and slanted in, Finch gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to the deep backward square leg fence. It came right off the screws
1.4 -
Johnson to Finch, no run, from round the wicket, Johnson hits a back of a length and angles it in, patted down to cover
1.3 -
Johnson to Finch, FOUR, fuller length delivery and outside off, Finch plonks his front foot and cracks the lofted drive to the deep backward point boundary
1.2 -
Johnson to Finch, 2 runs, Finch looks to take Johnson on with a lofted shot, but gets it off the toe-end. Thankfully for him, it just about clears the infield and they collect a brace
1.1 -
Johnson to Finch, no run, angled away from Finch, left alone to the keeper
Mitchell Johnson, comes into the attack
Suresh Raina, left handed bat, comes to the crease
0.6 -
Sandeep Sharma to Brendon McCullum, out Stumped!! Now, don't blame me that I jinxed McCullum! He has been stumped and couldn't even get off the mark today. Good bit of captaincy by Miller, too, as he asked the keeper to come upto the stumps. McCullum charged down the track to an away-swinger, in an attempt to smash him over the off-side. However, he was beaten by the movement and Saha showed sharp reflexes to whip the bails off in a flash. The big fish has been chugged down. Brendon McCullum st W Saha b Sandeep Sharma 0(2)
Sandeep Sharma to Brendon McCullum, THAT'S OUT!! Stumped!!
0.5 -
Sandeep Sharma to Brendon McCullum, no run, Sharma yanks his length back and bowls it just outside off, McCullum gets it off the inside part of the bat to mid-wicket
0.4 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, 1 run, fullish delivery and just outside off, Finch cracks the lofted shot, but there is a fielder placed at long-on
0.3 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, no run, this time, Finch shows the aggressive intent by backing away and using the cut shot. However, he mistimes it and the ball rolls across towards the cover-region
0.2 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, no run, Sharma dishes out a loud appeal for LBW, but rightly turned down. Another inswinger from Sharma, Finch attempts to flick it around the corner and misses. However, the angle was taking it down leg
0.1 -
Sandeep Sharma to Finch, no run, a hint of inswing for Sharma, Finch offers a solid defence
Finch and Brendon McCullum are at the crease. Finch is on strike. Sandeep Sharma will open the attack