IPL 2024, LSG vs PBKS As It Happened: Mayank, Mohsin guide LSG to 21-run win over Punjab

Right then, that is it from this game and after we saw Bengaluru become the first team to lose a home match this season, it seems like the trend of the home team winning the match is back. Next up is a doubleheader Sunday with two electrifying matches lined up. First up, Gujarat take on Hyderabad in Ahmedabad and that game will begin at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). This will be followed by a clash between Delhi and Chennai in Visakhapatnam starting at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). You can join us a lot sooner for the build-up of both those games. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Mayank Yadav is the Player of the Match on his Indian T20 League debut for his fine bowling effort. He starts by saying that he never expected the debut would go so well and after he bowled that first ball, all the nervousness went away. Adds that the plan was not to get under pressure and just bowl quick and he had planned about mixing up the slower ones as well but with the help in the wicket, he stuck to bowling quick. Mentions that out of the three wickets, the maiden wicket is his favorite.

Nicholas Pooran, the skipper of Lucknow says that it was a wonderful start at home and they needed this win. Adds that he felt the total was a good one and with one side of the boundary being short it would always get challenging. Mentions the bowlers got the wickets at the right time and credits Mayank Yadav who is a young talent and everybody is happy for the way he performed. Concludes that they have a young bowling attack and an experienced coaching staff and this is a big exposure for the guys.

The Presentation ceremony...

Morne Morkel, the bowling coach of Lucknow is down for a chat. He says that he is very happy with the win and to get first points on the board is amazing. He then credits the bowlers to come back the way they did and applauds Mayank Yadav as he bowled with real heat and is great to see him up and running after missing the last season due to an injury. Adds that Mayank ran in and that's the basics they try to teach the guys and he kept hitting that hard length as well and used the longer boundary too. Adds that the game plan was to do the basics correctly and use those bigger pockets on one side to their own advantage. Jokes a bit about commentary being a slightly easier stint than being a bowling coach.

Shikhar Dhawan, the skipper of Punjab says that they played well and the injury of Liam Livingstone impacted their chase as he couldn't come at number 4. Appreciates Mayank Yadav for the way he bowled with pace and mentions his variations that surprised the batters. Adds that they had planned to use the shorter side of the boundary and make use of the pace but the Lucknow bowlers didn't let the pressure get off them and kept it all tight. Concludes that they will analyze and work on the dropped chances which changes the momentum of the game and will look to implement the plans better going ahead.

Earlier in the game, the stand-in captain for Lucknow, Nicholas Pooran won the toss and opted to bat first with regular skipper KL Rahul opening the batting but not captaining. The pitch looked good and Quinton de Kock got off to a flier before Punjab came back in and picked up a few wickets. Then came the stand between de Kock and Nicholas Pooran that turned on the heat before Punjab yet again managed to pick up a couple of wickets and just level the playing field. However, a stunning cameo of 43 from 22 balls from Krunal Pandya proved to be decisive as that propelled Lucknow to 199 runs. Sam Curran picked up 3 wickets for Punjab but the likes of Rahul Chahar and Harshal Patel went for plenty. In reply, Punjab threw away a stellar start and Lucknow managed to creep back in the second half of the chase before cruising to victory.

Punjab will be kicking themselves as for the second game in a row, they have thrown away the game after having put themselves in a position of power. Chasing a big target, Punjab got the perfect start as both Shikhar Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow were able to take on the opposition bowlers with minimal risks and kept in touch with the asking rate. Maybe, they could have gone a bit harder and got their side ahead of the asking rate but once Bairstow fell, everything fell apart and one after another, the wicket kept tumbling. Dhawan tried to hold one end but he too got out on 70 and an ailing Liam Livingstone was handed the responsibility of trying to go big in the late overs but it was just too much to ask and Punjab have now lost two on the bounce.

That was some top ball striking from an injured Liam Livingstone right at the death but Lucknow get the win, the first in their opening home game and their first of this campaign as well. They had the runs on the board and a stellar bowling display in the second half of the chase has seen them win the match pretty comfortably in the end. With 199 runs on the board, all Lucknow needed was early wickets but that didn't happen as they conceded 61 runs in the Powerplay and remained wicketless in the first 10 overs. However, debutant Mayank Yadav was entrusted with a second over after a half-decent first over and he broke the vital opening stand. After this, Yadav went on to bowl four overs on the bounce and picked up three wickets as well. Mohsin Khan too got into the act and picked up a couple of quickfire wickets to put Lucknow firmly in command. From thereon it was all about game management and they were able to get over the line without much of a fuss.

19.6: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shashank Singh, That's it! A big 21-run victory for Lucknow and they register their first win in this season's Indian T20 League! Naveen-ul-Haq bowls it fuller and outside off, Shashank Singh cuts it to deep point for a single.

19.5: Naveen-ul-Haq to Liam Livingstone, Slower again, on a shorter length, outside off, Liam Livingstone pulls it off the lower half of the bat towards deep mid-wicket for just a single. Liam Livingstone is struggling and this could be a big concern for Punjab. 

19.4: Naveen-ul-Haq to Liam Livingstone, Hurls this on a length, just around off and takes pace off the ball as well, Liam Livingstone looks to heave it across the line but misses. 

19.3: Naveen-ul-Haq to Liam Livingstone, SIX! Liam Livingstone turning on the heat a bit too late! Slower bouncer, on off, Liam Livingstone stands tall and slaps it over the bowler's head for a maximum.

19.2: Naveen-ul-Haq to Liam Livingstone, FOUR! Flat and races away! Fuller delivery outside off, Liam Livingstone takes a step closer and slashes it over cover for one bounce boundary.

19.1: Naveen-ul-Haq to Liam Livingstone, SIX! That will help the cause but won't matter much it seems. A length delivery angling into the stumps, from off, Liam Livingstone plants his front leg ahead and tonks it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

19.1: Naveen-ul-Haq to Liam Livingstone, WIDE! Looks for the bouncer but drops it a bit too short over middle and off, Liam Livingstone looks for the pull but the ball climbs on him as the umpire calls it a wide.

Wow, the first delivery of the final over has been smashed into the spider cam by Liam Livingstone and that seemed to be heading for a maximum but it will be called a dea ball, very unlucky for Liam.

18.6: Krunal Pandya to Liam Livingstone, Darts this one quicker and fuller, outside off, Liam Livingstone slices it to deep point for just a single. With 41 runs to get off 6, it will now come down to how close Punjab can get to that target to help their net run rate.

18.5: Krunal Pandya to Liam Livingstone, FOUR! Tossed up, outside off, Liam Livingstone reaches out and slashes it over mid off for a boundary.

18.4: Krunal Pandya to Liam Livingstone, A bouncer! Drops the length short over off and gets the ball to climb off the deck, Liam Livingstone looks to ramp but misses out. 

18.3: Krunal Pandya to Shashank Singh, Pushes this one through, on a fuller length outside off, Shashank Singh jams it to deep point for a single.

18.2: Krunal Pandya to Liam Livingstone, Takes pace off and bowls it just shorter in length outside off, Liam Livingstone gets across and scoops it to short fine leg for a single.

18.1: Krunal Pandya to Liam Livingstone, Left alone! Tossed up just inside the tramline on off, Liam Livingstone leaves it alone hoping for it to be called a wide.

17.6: Naveen-ul-Haq to Liam Livingstone, Can't find the timing right! Naveen-ul-Haq bowls it fuller and just outside off, Liam Livingstone whips it off the inner half of the bat towards deep square leg for a single. Punjab now need 48 runs off 12 balls.

17.5: Naveen-ul-Haq to Liam Livingstone, Bangs it on a good length, outside off at 116.1kph, Liam Livingstone is beaten by the lack of pace as he looks for the slog.

17.4: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shashank Singh, LEG BYES! Bowls this fuller and into the pads, with pace off, Shashank Singh looks for the flick but gets beaten onto the pads. The ball rolls over to the leg side and the batters cross.

17.3: Naveen-ul-Haq to Liam Livingstone, Takes pace off and bowls it fuller and on off, Liam Livingstone whips it to deep mid-wicket for another single.

17.2: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shashank Singh, Doesn't get this one right! A shorter delivery on middle, Shashank Singh mistimes his pull to deep third for just a single. Oh, dear, another fielder is seen hobbling off the field. Mohsin Khan manages to get off the field but is lying down in some pain beyond the ropes and that is not a good sign for Lucknow.

17.1: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shashank Singh, FOUR! Just between the fielders and Shashank Singh provides a perfect start to the over. A short delivery on off, Shashank Singh stays back and pulls it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary.

16.6: Mohsin Khan to Shashank Singh, Tap and run! Bowls it nicely on a length, just outside off, Shashank Singh eases it in front of cover for a single. Liam Livingstone seems to be in a lot of pain as he hops to complete that run. Punjab now need 56 runs off the last 3 overs.

16.5: Mohsin Khan to Liam Livingstone, Shorter in length, outside off, Liam Livingstone reaches it and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for just a single. 

16.4: Mohsin Khan to Shashank Singh, Hurls this on a good length and just outside off, Shashank Singh tucks it to backward point for a single.

Shashank Singh comes in to face the hattrick delivery.

16.3: Mohsin Khan to Sam Curran, OUT! CAUGHT! Can you believe it? Another short delivery that brings a wicket! Mohsin Khan is now on a hat trick! Bangs the deck hard and short outside off, Sam Curran looks to pull but is too quick on the shot. The ball catches the upper half of the bat and goes up in the air towards Nicholas Pooran at mid on who makes no mistake in taking a very straight forward catch. 

Sam Curran is the new batter in.

16.2: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, OUT! TAKEN! Lucknow are now well and truly ahead in the game as Mohsin Khan gets the big fish in Shikhar Dhawan. Khan bowls the shorter delivery with pace off, angling in from middle and leg, Shikhar Dhawan stays deep in the crease and looks to pull but only manages to get a glove straight to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.

16.1: Mohsin Khan to Liam Livingstone, Hits the deck hard and angles it away from off, on a shorter length, Liam Livingstone extends his arms and carves it to deep cover for just a single. A brilliant effort from Ravi Bishnoi in the deep to push the ball that was dipping in front of him.

15.6: Mayank Yadav to Liam Livingstone, Bowls this fuller again and attacks the stumps, Liam Livingstone manages to hoick it off the inner half of the bat towards deep square leg for one. Punjab now need 60 off the last 4 overs.

15.5: Mayank Yadav to Liam Livingstone, Swing and a miss! Mayank Yadav bowls it at 151.8 kph delivery on a fuller length, jus outside off, Liam Livingstone looks for the big hoick but misses to make any connection.

Strategic break! What a turnaround this has been from Lucknow and debutant Mayank Yadav has single-handedly turned the tide in their favour. Punjab were going great guns with both their openers out in the middle but have now lost three wickets and Shikhar Dhawan is left reeling at one end. With 61 still needed off 26 balls and Liam Livingstone a huge doubt to feature in this chase, Lucknow do have the edge. Can Dhawan conjure up something magical for his side? Let's find out. With that said, Liam Livingstone walks out to the middle, pretty surprising to see but positive for Punjab.

15.4: Mayank Yadav to Jitesh Sharma, OUT! CAUGHT! What a debut Mayank Yadav is having. Bangs the shorter delivery with pace on middle and off, Jitesh Sharma is hurried as he looks to pull but gets hit higher on the bat. The ball balloons in front of mid on where Naveen-ul-Haq sprints in and takes a good low catch to his front. This game has brilliantly been brought back to life by Mayank Yadav!

15.3: Mayank Yadav to Jitesh Sharma, On a good length, outside off, Jitesh Sharma looks for the slice but misses out.

15.2: Mayank Yadav to Shikhar Dhawan, LEG BYES! Bowls this fuller and on off, Shikhar Dhawan looks to play it across the line but misses. The ball brushes his on the pads and rolls wider of the keeper and the batters cross.

15.1: Mayank Yadav to Shikhar Dhawan, Looks for the wide yorker and ends up bowling a low full toss outside off, Shikhar Dhawan takes a step across and opens the bat face steering the ball to deep point for a couple of runs.

14.6: Mohsin Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Very tidy over from Mohsin Khan given he conceded a boundary on the first ball and only 7 runs come off it. Another slower one, pitched up and outside off, Jitesh Sharma looks to shuffle across and swipe across the line but loses his shape and misses the ball.

14.5: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, Takes pace off and bowls it shorter again on the hips, Shikhar Dhawan pulls it away behind deep square leg but only picks up a single.

14.4: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, No wide! Short of a length on leg stump and just angling down leg, Shikhar Dhawan takes a huge step across to the off side and looks to pull it fine but misses. Dhawan immediately reviews it for a wide but the replays roll in and the onfield decision stands.

14.3: Mohsin Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Takes pace off the ball now and bowls it on a dragged length outside off, Jitesh Sharma has to adjust a bit and just eases it away wide of third man for a single.

14.3: Mohsin Khan to Jitesh Sharma, WIDE! Looks for the same ball again but gets it a bit too wide this time and the umpire stretches his arms.

14.2: Mohsin Khan to Jitesh Sharma, Goes full and wide now and nails the yorker-length delivery, Jitesh Sharma tries to shuffle past the off stump and squeeze it away but misses.

14.1: Mohsin Khan to Jitesh Sharma, FOUR! Just the start to the over Punjab would have wanted. Pitched up on leg stump, Jitesh Sharma is quick to make room and comes forward as well before drilling the straight drive to the right of long off for a boundary.

Mohsin Khan (2-0-23-0) comes back into the attack.

13.6: Mayank Yadav to Jitesh Sharma, Ends with one more short ball, this time at 143 clicks and around off, Jitesh Sharma hops back and dabs it down to third man for a single. 71 needed now off 36 balls.

13.5: Mayank Yadav to Jitesh Sharma, And again! Another pacy delivery, dug in short and around off stump. For a moment, Jitesh Sharma thinks about playing the ramp shot but pulls out and the ball flies through to the keeper.

13.4: Mayank Yadav to Jitesh Sharma, Oh, hello! Mayank Yadav is bowling with some serious heat out there and he is spot on with that short ball as well. Steams in and nails the perfect bumper over off stump at 146 clicks and Jitesh Sharma just about manages to sway his head away from the line of the ball.

Jitesh Sharma walks out to bat at number 4 for Punjab.

13.3: Mayank Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, OUT! CAUGHT! Mayank Yadav just keeps persisting with his raw pace and this time Prabhsimran Singh has to walk back. Dug in short again over the stumps and at around 147 clicks, Singh looks to hang back and take on the pull but gets hurried on and the ball goes off the higher part of the bat towards mid on. Naveen-ul-Haq there takes a few steps back and takes a simple catch and Lucknow get their second wicket.

13.2: Mayank Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, SIX! Caught but beyond the ropes and that will be a six. A quick short ball over off stump, rising on the batter as well, Prabhsimran Singh looks to make room and uppercut but gets rushed and the ball goes high and wide of third man. Mohsin Khan runs around and takes it cleanly but the momentum carries him over the ropes.

13.1: Mayank Yadav to Shikhar Dhawan, Back of a length and angled across the left-hander, Shikhar Dhawan shuffles and gets inside the line before whipping it away on the bounce to deep fine leg for a single.

12.6: Ravi Bishnoi to Prabhsimran Singh, SIX! Shouts of 'catch it' but Prabhsimran Singh gets enough on it and it's game on! Tosses this one up a bit on off stump, Singh sits down on one knee and slogs it away but ends up slicing it a bit and has enough power to get the ball sailing over the fielder at long on for a maximum.

12.5: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, A bit fuller on off stump, Shikhar Dhawan prods halfway forward and punches it away through covers for one more.

12.4: Ravi Bishnoi to Prabhsimran Singh, Just pulls the length back and bowls it flat on the stumps, Prabhsimran Singh stays back and pushes it down to long on for a run.

12.3: Ravi Bishnoi to Prabhsimran Singh, FOUR! Hammered away! Again at 104 clicks but just too full and around off, Prabhsimran Singh hits through the line of the ball and straight back down the ground for a boundary.

12.2: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Quicker one at 104 clicks and at the pads, Shikhar Dhawan comes forward and whips it away through square leg for just another single.

12.1: Ravi Bishnoi to Prabhsimran Singh, On the stumps, Prabhsimran Singh backs away and hits it through the cover region for a single.

11.6: Mayank Yadav to Shikhar Dhawan, FOUR! That's experience for you! A wicket's fallen, there's been a few dots and the bowler's bowling rapid but Shikhar Dhawan keeps a cool head and finds the boundary. Back of a length around off at 149 clicks, Dhawan just uses the pace and guides it fine of third man for a boundary.

11.5: Mayank Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, hard length outside off stump, Prabhsimran Singh chops it away behind the point region and picks up a single.

Prabhsimran Singh the impact substitute replacing Arshdeep Singh walks out to bat next for Punjab.

11.4: Mayank Yadav to Jonny Bairstow, OUT! CAUGHT! A wicket on debut for Mayank Yadav and he breaks the partnership. Another pacy delivery, bowled on a hard length and angled into the body of the batter. Jonny Bairstow tries to make a bit of room and heaves it across the line but is late on the shot. The ball goes over mid-wicket but Marcus Stoinis comes in from the deep and takes a pretty simple catch. Bairstow departs and Lucknow have their first wicket.

11.3: Mayank Yadav to Jonny Bairstow, Geez, that was quick! Punjab seem to be getting a bit bogged down here. Bowled back of a length and over the stumps, Jonny Bairstow looks to pull but is beaten by the sheer pace of the ball.

11.2: Mayank Yadav to Shikhar Dhawan, Miscues that one completely but gets away with it. Dug in a bit over middle stump, Shikhar Dhawan gets rushed while looking to pull and slices it just back over the bowler for a single.

11.1: Mayank Yadav to Shikhar Dhawan, Hard length in the channel and angled across the left-hander, Shikhar Dhawan looks to punch it off the back foot but is beaten. That was bowled at 155.8 clicks and that is the fastest ball of this year;s tournament so far.

10.6: Ravi Bishnoi to Jonny Bairstow, Beaten again and what an over, just 3 runs off it. Fires it in quick and bowls it a bit fuller, Jonny Bairstow doesn't pick the length and goes on the back foot to cut but misses again and that is a fine take from Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.

10.5: Ravi Bishnoi to Jonny Bairstow, Beaten! Pushed through quicker and on a good length around off, sliding straight on, Jonny Bairstow rocks back to cut but misses.

10.4: Ravi Bishnoi to Jonny Bairstow, A tad shorter and around off, Jonny Bairstow punches it away to covers but can't find the gap.

10.3: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Quick and flat on off stump, pushed out on the off side for one.

10.2: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, A direct hit and Jonny Bairstow would have been gone! Flatter around leg stump, Shikhar Dhawan goes back and nudges it past square leg before setting off for the second run. M. Siddharth picks up the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end where no one is there to collect the ball and Bairstow makes it back. The 100-run stand is also up between these two.

10.1: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Fuller in length and angled across the left-hander, Shikhar Dhawan cuts it off one knee but straight to the man at backward point.

9.6: Mayank Yadav to Shikhar Dhawan, Angles it across on a good length, over off, Shikhar Dhawan hops and tucks it to deep backward point for a single.

9.5: Mayank Yadav to Shikhar Dhawan, FOUR! How good was that from Shikhar Dhawan? Banged on a length, and into the pads, Shikhar Dhawan makes use of the pace on offer and tucks it behind square on leg for a boundary. 

9.4: Mayank Yadav to Jonny Bairstow, Hurls it on a shorter length, over off, Jonny Bairstow chops it off the inner half of the bat towards backward point for a single.

9.3: Mayank Yadav to Jonny Bairstow, Beauty! Bowls it on a nagging length around middle and leg and angles it in, Jonny Bairstow looks to play it across the line but gets beaten as the ball zips past the leg stump to the keeper.

9.2: Mayank Yadav to Jonny Bairstow, FOUR! Gets it right where he intended the last one to go to. Yadav bowls it on a length, outside off, Jonny Bairstow waits for it before slapping it through point for a boundary.

9.1: Mayank Yadav to Jonny Bairstow, Starts from over the wicket and hits the deck on a hard length, just outside off, Jonny Bairstow makes some room and looks to cut it square on off but misses out. 

The debutant pacer, Mayank Yadav is now brought into the attack.

8.6: Krunal Pandya to Jonny Bairstow, Shorter in length, outside off, Jonny Bairstow cuts it to deep backward point for a single to end the over.

8.5: Krunal Pandya to Shikhar Dhawan, A low full toss on the pads, Shikhar Dhawan flicks it to deep backward square leg for one.

8.4: Krunal Pandya to Shikhar Dhawan, Pushes this one quicker and outside off, Shikhar Dhawan looks to sweep but fails to connect well as the ball catches an inside edge and wears him on the pads.

8.3: Krunal Pandya to Jonny Bairstow, Shorter and wider on off, Jonny Bairstow cuts it to deep point for a single.

8.2: Krunal Pandya to Jonny Bairstow, SIX! Jonny Bairstow joins the attack now and smokes two-in-two. Tossed up right in that arc on off, Jonny Bairstow absolutely clobbers it over long on for a maximum. 

8.1: Krunal Pandya to Jonny Bairstow, SIX! That's a big one! Krunal Pandya drops the lengthy a but on middle, Jonny Bairstow slips on a knee and pulls it over square leg for a biggie!

7.6: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Bowls it fractionally short and outside off, Shikhar Dhawan looks for a reverse hit but fails to make any connection.

7.5: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Pushes this one quicker and fuller, outside off, Shikhar Dhawan looks to fend this but misses out.

7.4: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, SIX! Gets his fifty in some style! Leading from the front is Shikhar Dhawan. Ravi Bishnoi errs in length and goes fuller and on middle and off, Shikhar Dhawan plants his front leg ahead and clubs it over mid-wicket for a biddie.

7.3: Ravi Bishnoi to Jonny Bairstow, Follows Jonny Bairstow who makes room and hits the deck on a shorter length, on leg, Jonny Bairstow manages to pull it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.2: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Bowls this fuller again on off, Shikhar Dhawan whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.1: Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Starts from over the wicket and tosses it fuller, on off, Shikhar Dhawan drives it on the full straight to short cover.

6.6: Krunal Pandya to Shikhar Dhawan, A good over from Krunal Pandya! Goes fuller and attacks the pads, Shikhar Dhawan tucks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

6.5: Krunal Pandya to Jonny Bairstow, Bowls it nice and full, on off, Jonny Bairstow rocks back and punches it to deep point for a single.

6.4: Krunal Pandya to Jonny Bairstow, Darts this quicker and fuller into the stumps, Jonny Bairstow taps it back to the bowler. 

6.3: Krunal Pandya to Shikhar Dhawan, Bowls this a touch shorter and into the pads, Shikhar Dhawan clips it to square leg region for a single. 

6.2: Krunal Pandya to Jonny Bairstow, Skids this one through, on a fuller length, on off, Jonny Bairstow gets a thick inside edge past the leg stump and through the keeper for one.

6.1: Krunal Pandya to Jonny Bairstow, Bowls from around the wicket and pitches it fuller and into the stumps, Jonny Bairstow defends it to short cover.

Strategic break! This has been a blistering start for Punjab as they are going just slightly over the required rate and didn't lose any wickets in the Powerplay either. Shikhar Dhawan has rocketed into the 40s and will be key for his side. Lucknow need wickets in the middle phase and will be hoping that their spinners deliver. Let's see how the next phase pans out. With that said, Krunal Pandya comes into the attack.

5.6: Mohsin Khan to Jonny Bairstow, A back-of-a-length delivery, just outside off, Jonny Bairstow cuts it off the outer half of the bat in front of point and gets to the other end. Punjab end the powerplay at 61 runs.

5.5: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, Bowls this on a length and angles it in on off, Shikhar Dhawan gets hurried in the crease as he chops it to the left of the bowler and rotates the strike.

5.4: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, SIX! This one goes over the rope and Shikhar Dhawan continues his sublime form. A slower delivery pitched shorter on off, Shikhar Dhawan waits for it and pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

5.3: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, A tad shorter in length, on off, Shikhar Dhawan with an angled bat tucks it to mid off.

5.2: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, FOUR! Eased this one through delicately! Mohsin Khan serves this outside off again, on a length, Shikhar Dhawan rocks back and punches it through covers with precise timing for four more runs.

5.1: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, FOUR! Sheer power on that! Mohsin Khan hits the deck on a length, outside off, Shikhar Dhawan takes a step towards the off side and slaps it over backward point for a boundary. 

4.6: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shikhar Dhawan, Hard length angled well across the left-hander, Shikhar Dhawan looks to free his arms and slap it away but taps it in front of covers for a single.

4.5: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shikhar Dhawan, A surprise bumper this, slower as well, Shikhar Dhawan does well to get his hands away from the body and gets it over short fine leg for a couple of runs.

4.4: Naveen-ul-Haq to Jonny Bairstow, Slower one over the stumps, the length is dragged back a bit as well, Jonny Bairstow gets caught in the crease but manages to nudge it uppishly in front of mid-wicket for another single.

4.3: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shikhar Dhawan, Hard length on off and middle, Shikhar Dhawan looks to heave across the line but gets it more off the inner half of the bat through backward square leg for one.

4.2: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shikhar Dhawan, Well bowled! Naveen-ul-Haq sees Shikhar Dhawan charging down the track and bowls it full and wide with pace on as well. Dhawan looks for the cover drive but is well beaten.

4.1: Naveen-ul-Haq to Jonny Bairstow, Comes from a bit wider on the crease and bowls it slightly fuller onto the stumps, Jonny Bairstow punches it off the front foot to covers and scampers across for the single.

3.6: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, Bowls a heavy ball now, slightly back of a length and around off, Shikhar Dhawan dabs it down to short third for no run.

3.5: Mohsin Khan to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length on off stump and Shikhar Dhawan punches it back to the bowler.

3.4: Mohsin Khan to Jonny Bairstow, Oh, that should have been curtains for Shikhar Dhawan but Mohsin Khan misses from close range. Back of a length and over the stumps, Jonny Bairstow drops the ball just on the leg side and Dhawan calls him for the single. Khan is very quick to get to the ball but with all three stumps to aim at, he misses the direct hit and Dhawan can breathe a lot easier.

3.3: Mohsin Khan to Jonny Bairstow, Hits the deck hard and bowls it over middle and leg, no foot movement from Jonny Bairstow as he has a slog across the line but misses and gets hit very high on the pads.

3.2: Mohsin Khan to Jonny Bairstow, SIX! Picked-up and dispatched! Attempted short ball over leg stump but not short enough, Jonny Bairstow holds his shape and just whacks it away over deep square leg for a maximum.

3.1: Mohsin Khan to Jonny Bairstow, Starts on a dragged length and bowls it on middle and leg, Jonny Bairstow gets cramped for room and has to just bunt it out.

Mohsin Khan comes into the attack now.

2.6: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, SIX! Pre-meditated but effective as well! Flatter one on the stump and angled in, Shikhar Dhawan brings out the reverse sweep and gets enough on it to carry it over the third man fence for a maximum. 16 off that over and that is the 150th maximum hit by Dhawan in the competition's history!

2.5: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, On the pads, tucked away around the corner to short fine leg.

2.4: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, FOUR! That is pure class from Shikhar Dhawan. Goes back to the quicker one, bowling it at 110 clicks and full outside off, Dhawan gets under it and lofts it over covers for another boundary.

2.3: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, FOUR! Shovelled away to the fence! On the shorter side and on the stumps, Shikhar Dhawan swivels a bit and scoops it over backward square leg for a boundary.

2.2: M. Siddharth to Jonny Bairstow, This is bowled quite full and wide, Jonny Bairstow tries to reach out and drive but gets an inside edge to the right of short fine leg for a single.

2.1: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length on off stump, quick and angled in, Shikhar Dhawan hops back and nudges it down to mid on for one.

1.6: Naveen-ul-Haq to Jonny Bairstow, FOUR! Top shot again from Jonny Bairstow. Naveen-ul-Haq floats this one full and wide, Bairstow though holds back a touch before driving it away a lot more in front of square through covers to finish the over with another four.

1.5: Naveen-ul-Haq to Jonny Bairstow, FOUR! Hit away beautifully! Hard length over off stump, Jonny Bairstow stays leg side of the ball and uses quick hands to punch it away into the outfield and wide of the man at point for a boundary.

1.4: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shikhar Dhawan, Pitches it up now around off stump and angling it across the left-hander, Shikhar Dhawan fetches the ball and hits it off the inner half of the bat behind square leg for just one more.

1.3: Naveen-ul-Haq to Jonny Bairstow, Goes wider on the crease and angles it in back of a length from outside off stump. Jonny Bairstow gets an inside edge onto the body and the ball rolls away towards the gully region. They pick up a single.

1.2: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shikhar Dhawan, Length ball around leg stump and attacking the pads, Shikhar Dhawan hoicks it away behind square leg and turns the strike over.

1.1: Naveen-ul-Haq to Shikhar Dhawan, Starts with a fuller one on leg stump, Shikhar Dhawan looks to just tickle it away but misses. The ball goes off the pads to short fine leg and Jonny Bairstow at the other end denies the single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to share the new ball from the other end.

0.6: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, A single to end and five runs come off the first over of the chase. Well short over middle and turning in, Shikhar Dhawan uses the depth of the crease and works it away past square leg for one.

0.5: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, FOUR! A bit streaky but Shikhar Dhawan and Punjab are finally off the mark. Full and outside off, almost like an outswinger, Dhawan looks to drive and opens the bat face a bit to guide it uppishly wide of backward point for a boundary.

0.4: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, No run there either! On a good length around off, pushed off the front foot into covers and Shikhar Dhawan looks for one but won't get it.

0.3: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, Three dots on the trot and that's excellent from the debutant. Full and quick, pushed through outside off, Shikhar Dhawan looks to drive but is beaten past the outside edge.

0.2: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, Pushed through a bit flatter and on off stump, Shikhar Dhawan hangs back and steers it down to short third man.

0.1: M. Siddharth to Shikhar Dhawan, Starts well does M. Siddharth! Strides in from around the stumps and bowls it a bit fuller around off, turning it back in. Shikhar Dhawan watches it well and plays it out late on the off side.

We are back with the chase! The two umpires make their way to the middle followed by the Lucknow fielders who stride out to take the field. It will be Shikhar Dhawan alongside Jonny Bairstow to open for Punjab. It will be the debutant M. Siddharth to start the proceedings for Lucknow with the new ball. Here we go..

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Punjab made an impressive start to their bowling effort, as Arshdeep Singh struck early to dismiss the formidable opener KL Rahul, curtailing his innings to a modest score. Sam Curran complemented Singh's breakthrough by sending Devdutt Padikkal back to the pavilion, levelling the playing field after Lucknow's strong start. The strategic introduction of spin from both ends proved beneficial for Shikhar Dhawan's side, with Rahul Chahar accounting for the dangerous Marcus Stoinis shortly after he had dispatched two consecutive maximums. Singh returned to the attack to remove the well-set Quinton de Kock, while Kagiso Rabada made a significant impact by dismissing the explosive Nicholas Pooran. Despite leaking runs towards the death overs, the Punjab bowlers rallied to chip away at the lower order, ultimately restricting Lucknow to a total just shy of 200 runs. This disciplined effort towards the end ensured that they managed to contain what appeared to be a daunting 200+ target at one point, setting the stage for an intriguing run chase. Will Punjab be able to outperform themselves to gun this 200-run target down? Or will Lucknow win their first home game to bag those two crucial points? We shall soon find out as the chase comes to you in a bit.

Krunal Pandya, the man of the moment for Lucknow is down for a chat. Starts by saying that he has always prepared for this flexible batting role and he just wants to contribute to the team. Adds that he likes to prepare well and he likes to take it like an exam. Reckons 199 is a good total on board and with one side being bigger and the other side being smaller, you can be smart with the ball. Mentions that the surface looks better than the last season.

Lucknow's innings commenced cautiously, with both KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock laying a solid foundation by dispatching boundaries with ease. However, Lucknow suffered an early setback with KL Rahul's departure after a promising start. Devdutt Padikkal seamlessly filled the void, joining Quinton de Kock in unleashing a flurry of boundaries before falling prey to the opposition's bowling just before the powerplay concluded. Despite the loss of two wickets, Lucknow managed to amass a respectable total of 54 runs by the end of the powerplay. The strategic move to send Marcus Stoinis up the order initially showed promise as he quickly found his rhythm but unfortunately perished while taking on the spinners. Quinton de Kock, along with Nicholas Pooran, then forged a resilient 47-run partnership before Quinton de Kock departed after reaching a well-deserved half-century. However, it was Nicholas Pooran's explosive innings that stole the spotlight in the middle overs, as he launched a blistering assault on the opposition, scoring a quickfire 42 runs at a staggering strike rate of 200. Unfortunately, Pooran's innings was cut short, just as he seemed poised to unleash havoc in the death overs. Despite falling short of partners at the other end, Krunal Pandya's cameo of 43 runs propelled Lucknow's first innings total to a formidable 199 runs.

Despite Punjab's efforts to contain the run rate a bit, Krunal Pandya's unbeaten innings of 43 runs propelled Lucknow to a commanding total of 199 runs. This formidable target poses a significant challenge for Punjab in their chase, as they will need a strong batting performance to secure victory in this crucial encounter.

19.6: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, A couple of runs to end and Lucknow fall agonizingly short of the 200-run mark! Harshal Patel misses the yorker for the nth time this over and serves another low full toss on middle and leg. Krunal Pandya slogs this one away towards cow corner and picks up a couple of runs. Lucknow finish with 199/8 on the board!

19.5: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, Just short? Yes, Jonny Bairstow takes it on the half-volley and doesn't appeal either. Another low full toss from Harshal Patel on off stump, Krunal Pandya miscues the lofted shot down to long off where Bairstow comes in and dives forward but can't reach it. No run taken either.

Naveen-ul-Haq, the impact substitute replacing KL Rahul, walks out to bat at number 10 for Lucknow.

19.4: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, OUT! RUN OUT! A bit lazy from Mohsin Khan but good presence of mind from Harshal Patel. Goes for the yorker again and misses it ever so slightly, Krunal Pandya can't get under this one and ends up slashing it into the stumps at the other end. The batters set off for the run but Krunal realized the ball didn't go far away on the off side and sent his partner back. Patel gathers the ball and sprints back before uprooting one stump as the bails were already broken and Mohsin is well short of his crease. Also, there wasn't any appeal from the bowler or the keeper but there might have been a stifled one from Kagiso Rabada and according to the rules, someone needs to appeal for the decision to be given.

19.3: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Up and over! Another low full toss but this time outside off stump, Krunal Pandya hangs deep and powers it over the leaping man at extra cover for a boundary.

19.2: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, Falls in no man's land! Misses the yorker and serves a low full toss instead on middle, Krunal Pandya doesn't quite get under it and slices it high over mid off for a couple of runs.

19.1: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, Nails the yorker on middle and leg stump, Krunal Pandya can only dig it out to long on and doesn't take the single as expected.

Harshal Patel will continue and bowl the final over.

18.6: Sam Curran to Mohsin Khan, Full and straight, Mohsin Khan hangs deep in the crease and swats it hard to the right of long on before racing back for the second run.

Mohsin Khan walks out to bat next for Lucknow and will face the hattrick ball from Sam Curran.

18.5: Sam Curran to Ravi Bishnoi, OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Sam Curran and he is on a hat-trick! Takes pace off the delivery yet again and bowls this one into the pitch over leg stump. Ravi Bishnoi gets cramped for room and tries to pull it over deep square leg but gets it high and down to deep backward square leg where the substitute fielder Tanay Thyagarajann takes a good catch.

Ravi Bishnoi walks out to bat next for Lucknow.

18.4: Sam Curran to Ayush Badoni, OUT! CAUGHT! Sam Curran completely deceives Ayush Badoni here. Curran brings out another slower one but it is the off cutter that goes away from the right-hander. This is bowled full and outside off, Badoni tries to power it over long on but mistimes it badly. Jonny Bairstow takes a simple catch well inside the ropes and Badoni has to walk back.

18.3: Sam Curran to Ayush Badoni, On a good length and angled across the right-hander and it is slower too, Ayush Badoni slogs it away in between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

18.2: Sam Curran to Krunal Pandya, Back of a length and at the body, tucked away neatly past mid-wicket for a single.

18.1: Sam Curran to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Krunal Pandya is relentless at the moment but that is poor from Sam Curran. With third man up in the ring, Curran drops it well short with pace off and wide of the off stump. Krunal has a lot of time to get under it and help it over short third for a boundary.

17.6: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, That was hit hard! A bumper now around the helmet, Krunal Pandya pulls it firmly to deep backward square leg for just one but 20 runs come off it.

17.5: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, SIX! Oh, wow! Overpitched around the off stump, Krunal Pandya goes for the straight drive and lofts it with stellar timing and over the fence as well for a maximum.

17.5: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, WIDE! Another extra and this is hurting Punjab quite a bit. Looks for the wide yorker now but misses his line yet again and pushes it beyond the tramline.

17.5: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, WIDE! Goes for the yorker at the toes but spills it down leg for a wide.

17.4: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Beautifully struck and Krunal Pandya is playing a handy cameo here. Full and outside off stump, a bit too full though and Pandya creams the drive through cover-point for a boundary. 11 already off the over with 2 balls to go.

17.4: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, WIDE! Banged in well short and over the stumps, a bit too wide as well for the umpire's liking.

17.3: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, Good fielding! Full and on the stumps, Krunal Pandya stays deep in the crease and hammers it to the left of mid off where Jonny Bairstow dives in and deflects the ball to mid on and the batters get two runs.

17.2: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, FOUR! Streaky but Krunal Pandya will take it! Keeps it full and angles it across the off stump, Pandya looks to go after it but gets an under edge that goes past the off stump and runs away into the fine leg fence.

17.1: Harshal Patel to Krunal Pandya, Pitched up full on off stump, Krunal Pandya drives it sweetly but straight to the man at mid off.

16.6: Sam Curran to Krunal Pandya, Full and straight, finds the blockhole and Krunal Pandya hits it down to long on for one more.

16.5: Sam Curran to Ayush Badoni, Nicely bowled! Slower ball, on a shorter length and angled across the right-hander. Ayush Badoni is late to pick it up and somehow manages to scoop it towards the vacant short mid-wicket region for a run.

16.4: Sam Curran to Ayush Badoni, Goes full and bowls it around off stump, Ayush Badoni looks to smack it straight back past the bowler but miscues it back to the bowler.

16.3: Sam Curran to Krunal Pandya, Drops the length short, over middle, Krunal Pandya pulls it off the outer half of the bat towards deep square leg for a single.

16.2: Sam Curran to Ayush Badoni, And again, takes pace off and bowls it fuller and just down leg, Ayush Badoni waits for it and tucks it to short fine leg for just one.

16.1: Sam Curran to Krunal Pandya, Takes pace off and bowls it fuller and into the pads, Krunal Pandya clips it to deep square leg for a single.

15.6: Kagiso Rabada to Krunal Pandya, Leg bye! Fuller one angled into the pads, Krunal Pandya misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads to mid-wicket. They get a leg bye.

15.5: Kagiso Rabada to Krunal Pandya, SIX! BANG! Kagiso Rabada tries to be aggressive with a bumper and bowls it over middle, Krunal Pandya gets on top of the bounce nicely and muscles the hook over deep square leg for a biggie. Some shot that!

15.4: Kagiso Rabada to Krunal Pandya, Half a shout for a catch but that's gone straight off the thigh pad! Hits the deck hard and angles it into the body, Krunal Pandya tries to get it away but misses and the ball goes straight into the hands of the man at point.

15.3: Kagiso Rabada to Krunal Pandya, Slightly back of a length and outside off, Krunal Pandya stands tall and gets across a bit before playing it away through point for another brace.

15.2: Kagiso Rabada to Krunal Pandya, Good length on off stump and angling back in, Krunal Pandya stays on the front foot and strokes it away past the diving man at cover for a couple of runs.

Krunal Pandya walks out to bat next for Lucknow.

15.1: Kagiso Rabada to Nicholas Pooran, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Kagiso Rabada comes back in and gets the big wicket for Punjab! Comes from around the stumps and bowls it on a fuller length at 138 clicks and pushes it wider as well. Nicholas Pooran goes after it and has to reach out and eventually gets an inside edge back onto the stumps and Pooran cannot believe it. What a time to get a wicket for Punjab but not so much for Lucknow as they lose their star man after a fiery knock.

14.6: Harpreet Brar to Ayush Badoni, Flights this fuller and on middle and off, Ayush Badoni prods ahead and taps it to covers.

14.5: Harpreet Brar to Nicholas Pooran, Bowls it fuller and into the pads, Nicholas Pooran hammers it towards wide long on for one.

14.4: Harpreet Brar to Nicholas Pooran, SIX! That's a top shot and Nicholas Pooran is taking on the spinner now. Tossed up delivery on middle and off, Nicholas Pooran gets ahead and tonks it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

14.3: Harpreet Brar to Ayush Badoni, Drifts this fuller and into the pads, Ayush Badoni flicks it to square leg region for a single.

14.2: Harpreet Brar to Nicholas Pooran, An appeal for LBW, but turned down! Brar drops the length on middle and leg, Nicholas Pooran looks for the heave but gets a slight inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls away behind the keeper and they get a single.

14.1: Harpreet Brar to Ayush Badoni, Can you call that a dropped catch? Harpreet Brar bowls it fuller just outside off and gets the ball to skid through, Ayush Badoni looks for the cut on off but gets an outside edge that wears on the keeper's pads and rolls to te off side for a single. 

13.6: Arshdeep Singh to Ayush Badoni, Drops the length short over middle and leg, Ayush Badoni lifts his front leg up and pulls it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a single.

13.5: Arshdeep Singh to Nicholas Pooran, A low full toss, around middle and off, Nicholas Pooran drives it to long off for a single. 

13.4: Arshdeep Singh to Nicholas Pooran, FOUR! Fortune favours the brave here! Arshdeep Singh drops the length short and hits the deck hard over off, Nicholas Pooran throws everything at it looking to pull it over leg but gets a top edge over the keeper for a boundary. 

13.3: Arshdeep Singh to Nicholas Pooran, FOUR! Nicholas Pooran continues his onslaught! A fuller delivery outside off, Nicholas Pooran cracks it through covers for a boundary.

13.2: Arshdeep Singh to Ayush Badoni, Gets off the mark! Arshdeep Singh bowls it on a length, outside off, Ayush Badoni opens the bat face and steers it to deep third for a single.

Ayush Badoni is the new batter in.

13.1: Arshdeep Singh to Quinton de Kock, OUT! CAUGHT! Yet again, the break has halted the momentum as Lucknow lose Quinton de Kock after a solid knock of 54 runs. Arshdeep Singh hits the deck hard on a shorter length, outside off, Quinton de Kock is a bit too late on the pull and the ball catches the top half of his blade ballooning to his right. The keeper Jitesh Sharma calls for it and gets under the ball to do the rest. 

Strategic break! Well, Lucknow have got back on top in the last few overs and the pair of Quinton de Kock and Nicholas Pooran is upping the ante here. They will be eyeing up 200 runs from here and would want one of these two to stay on till the end. Punjab on the other hand need wickets as their bowlers haven't been able to do much in the last few overs but the likes of Harpreet Brar and Sam Curran who have bowled well, have a few overs up their sleeves. Let's see how the next 7 overs play out. Also, Arshdeep Singh (2-0-19-1) is back on.

12.6: Harshal Patel to Quinton de Kock, Bowls this shorter and just outside off, Quinton de Kock rides on the bounce and cuts it to deep backward point for another one to end the over.

12.5: Harshal Patel to Nicholas Pooran, BYES! Hits the deck on a length and takes pace off, outside off, Nicholas Pooran looks to cut it square on off but misses. The keeper fails to collect the ball well and the batters cross.

12.4: Harshal Patel to Quinton de Kock, Nails the yorker right in the blockhole around middle and off, Quinton de Kock digs it towards cover for one.

12.3: Harshal Patel to Nicholas Pooran, Goes fuller again outside off, Nicholas Pooran slashes it to deep cover for one more.

12.2: Harshal Patel to Quinton de Kock, Bowls this fuller and outside off, Quinton de Kock jams it to deep backward point for one.

12.2: Harshal Patel to Quinton de Kock, WIDE! Drops the length shorter and wayward on off, Quinton de Kock looks to reach for it but misses.

12.1: Harshal Patel to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Cheeky on that one to bring up his Fifty! Harshal Patel bowls it fuller and outside off, Quinton de Kock gets across the line and looks to paddle it past short fine but gets it off the inner half of the bat into the pads racing away to fine leg fence for a boundary.

11.6: Rahul Chahar to Quinton de Kock, Slower through the air and on a fuller length, on middle and leg, Quinton de Kock rocks back and nudges it in front of mid on for one more. A great over this for Lucknow as they rack up 20 runs off it.

11.5: Rahul Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, A tad shorter in length again, on off, Nicholas Pooran pulls it to long on for one.

11.4: Rahul Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, A loose delivery to follow up! Offers width outside off, on a fuller length, Nicholas Pooran slaps to through covers for a couple of runs.

11.3: Rahul Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, SIX! Nicholas Pooran is turning the heat on here! Fuller delivery, just around off, Nicholas Pooran clobbers it straight over the bowler's head for another maximum. 

11.2: Rahul Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, FOUR! Nicholas Pooran makes it look incredibly easy! A tad shorter on off, Nicholas Pooran slaps it past mid off for a boundary.

11.1: Rahul Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, SIX! Up, up and over! Chahar serves this on a fuller length, just around middle and off, with no pace, Nicholas Pooran reads the ball well and plants his front leg ahead to club it over mid-wicket for a biggie. 

10.6: Kagiso Rabada to Nicholas Pooran, Goes fuller and just outside off, Nicholas Pooran with bottom hand coming into play, opens the bat face to guide the ball past point for a single.

10.5: Kagiso Rabada to Nicholas Pooran, Bowls this a tad fuller and attacks the stumps, Nicholas Pooran presses ahead and blocks it to cover.

10.4: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, Angles it in, on a good length, around middle and off, Quinton de Kock tucks it to square leg region and gets to the other end. 

10.3: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, A tad shorter in length, outside off, Quinton de Kock slices it beautifully but straight to the fielder at point. 

10.2: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Streaky but serves well for Lucknow! Rabada bowls it fuller and just outside off, Quinton de Kock looks for the big heave on leg but gets a thick outside edge over the keeper for four runs. 

10.1: Kagiso Rabada to Nicholas Pooran, Hits the deck on a good length, outside off, Nicholas Pooran waits for it and cuts it to backward point for one.

Kagiso Rabada (2-0-21-0) comes back into the attack.

9.6: Harshal Patel to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Finds the gap! Back of a length but a bit more wide of the off stump, Quinton de Kock stands tall and hammers the ball away between mid off and covers for a boundary.

9.5: Harshal Patel to Nicholas Pooran, Goes even fuller now and bowls it on middle and leg, Nicholas Pooran flicks it past a diving Shikhar Dhawan at mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

9.4: Harshal Patel to Nicholas Pooran, Pitches this one right up around middle stump and Nicholas Pooran punches straight back to the bowler.

9.3: Harshal Patel to Quinton de Kock, Back of a length outside off and slower too, Quinton de Kock gets his hands out and plays it on the up to deep cover for just one more.

9.2: Harshal Patel to Nicholas Pooran, Switches to over the wicket now for Nicholas Pooran and bowls it fractionally short on the hips, Pooran nudges it down to short fine leg for a quick run. Good diving save from the fielder there as well.

9.1: Harshal Patel to Quinton de Kock, Starts from around the stumps and angles it back in from around off stump on a hard length, Quinton de Kock stays put and taps it square past point for a single.

Harshal Patel comes into the attack now.

8.6: Rahul Chahar to Quinton de Kock, Nicely tossed up, full and on off and middle, Quinton de Kock hits this one hard and along the turf down to wide long on for another single.

8.5: Rahul Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, This is floated very full and on middle, Nicholas Pooran leans on and drives the ball down to long off for a single.

Strategic break! Punjab has staged a remarkable comeback after Lucknow's promising start. The strategic decision to promote Marcus Stoinis up the batting order seemed to be paying dividends, however, his dismissal has left the team unsettled at this juncture. Quinton de Kock has displayed a positive intent at the crease and will be crucial for Lucknow to put up a good total. Punjab will be eyeing to chip a couple more wickets to get ahead in the game. With that, the skipper of Lucknow, Nicholas Pooran makes his way to the middle to bat at number 5.

8.4: Rahul Chahar to Marcus Stoinis, OUT! BOWLED'EM! Rahul Chahar has the last laugh here as Marcus Stoinis gets greedy and throws his wicket away. Much flatter trajectory from Chahar this time and this is pushed through quick at 95 clicks and angled in from around middle. Stoinis hangs deep and looks to pull but the ball skids through and knocks the leg stump over.

8.3: Rahul Chahar to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! Overcompensation from Rahul Chahar and Marcus Stoinis helps himself to another maximum. A bit too short over middle, Stoinis rocks back and drags the pull over deep square leg for back-to-back sixes.

8.2: Rahul Chahar to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! Easy power from Marcus Stoinis. Tossed-up delivery on middle, a bit too full and Stoinis just leans on and hits through the line of the ball, dispatching it over long off for a biggie.

8.1: Rahul Chahar to Quinton de Kock, Floated fuller on the legs, clipped around the corner for a quick single.

7.6: Harpreet Brar to Quinton de Kock, A bit fuller now and angled across the left-hander, Quinton de Kock stays low and cuts it away to deep point for just one more.

7.5: Harpreet Brar to Marcus Stoinis, Drags the length back a bit more and bowls it on middle and leg, Marcus Stoinis forces it off the back foot down to long on and picks up a single.

7.4: Harpreet Brar to Marcus Stoinis, A tad short again and wide of the off stump, Marcus Stoinis plays it to the left of covers and picks up a couple of runs in the deep.

7.3: Harpreet Brar to Marcus Stoinis, Quick and flat outside off, played back to the bowler.

7.2: Harpreet Brar to Marcus Stoinis, Top fielding but Marcus Stoinis will be disappointed to not have put that away. Short and wide, begging to be hit, Stoinis hangs back and slaps it to the right of extra cover where Shikhar Dhawan makes a stellar diving stop.

7.1: Harpreet Brar to Marcus Stoinis, Bowls it on a nagging length on off stump and this one slides back on, Marcus Stoinis makes a bit of room and pushes it out to covers.

Harpreet Brar is introduced into the attack.

6.6: Rahul Chahar to Quinton de Kock, The call is for two and they do eventually get it. Fuller one on middle and leg, Quinton de Kock flicks it through the gap at mid-wicket and races back for the second run.

6.5: Rahul Chahar to Marcus Stoinis, One more! Flatter one pushed into the legs, Marcus Stoinis stays on the back foot and nudges it past square leg.

6.4: Rahul Chahar to Quinton de Kock, Floated up around the pads, Quinton de Kock leans ahead and pushes it to mid on for yet another single. Just 4 off this over so far.

6.3: Rahul Chahar to Marcus Stoinis, Pushed through outside off and turning away a touch, Marcus Stoinis hangs back and punches it away to deep cover-point for one more.

6.2: Rahul Chahar to Quinton de Kock, Floated a bit further up on the stumps, Quinton de Kock prods halfway forward and tucks it towards mid-wicket for one.

6.1: Rahul Chahar to Marcus Stoinis, Drops it short first up over off stump, Marcus Stoinis stands tall and punches it square through covers for a single.

Rahul Chahar comes into the attack replacing Kagiso Rabada.

5.6: Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, SIX! Quinton de Kock finishes the Powerplay in style! A fraction shorter over middle, de Kock stays deep in the crease and makes some room before flat-batting it over deep square leg for a maximum. Lucknow are 54/2 at the end of the Powerplay!

5.5: Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, Excellent change-up from Sam Curran. This is bowled from the back of the hand and slower, full and outside off, Quinton de Kock goes for the booming cover drive but is well beaten.

5.4: Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, Gets enough on it! Banged in a bit over the stumps, Quinton de Kock tries to hang back and clobber it over mid on but miscues it and manages to clear the fielder there. Two runs are taken.

5.3: Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, Hard length over off stump and slanting it back in, Quinton de Kock hangs back and tries to run it down to third man but ends up chopping it to the fielder at short third.

5.2: Sam Curran to Marcus Stoinis, Bowled back of a length and over leg stump, Marcus Stoinis hops back and nudges it down wide of short fine leg for a single.

Marcus Stoinis walks out to bat at number 4 for Lucknow.

5.1: Sam Curran to Devdutt Padikkal, OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man! Sam Curran comes back in from over the wicket and hits the deck hard around off, angling it in. Devdutt Padikkal shimmies across to the leg side and tries to open his arms but ends up slapping it flat and straight to Shikhar Dhawan at mid off. Dhawan takes a sharp catch as that ball had a lot of pace on it and Padikkal departs cheaply here. Curran is pumped up as Punjab get two wickets inside the Powerplay.

Sam Curran is back on.

4.6: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, Beauty to finish the over again! Hits the deck on a good length around that corridor on off, Quinton de Kock looks to poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. 

4.5: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, Bowls this fuller and just outside off, Devdutt Padikkal slices it uppishly to deep point for a single.

4.4: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, Hurls this on a hard length and into the pads, Devdutt Padikkal looks for the flick but gets clipped high on the pads.

4.3: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Delicately done! Kagiso Rabada hits the deck hard on a length and angles it into the left-hander on off, Devdutt Padikkal with soft hands opens the bat face steering the ball through third man region for another boundary. 

4.2: Kagiso Rabada to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! That's some way to get off the mark! Rabada bowls this fuller and well outside off, Devdutt Padikkal drives it up and over covers for a boundary.

4.1: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, Goes fuller and just outside off, Quinton de Kock slashes it uppishly to deep point for a single.

3.6: Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Bowls this on a length, and into the stumps, Devdutt Padikkal blocks it to mid off.

Devdutt Padikkal walks in at number 3.

3.5: Arshdeep Singh to KL Rahul, OUT! CAUGHT! Arshdeep Singh draws first blood! Bowls it just shorter in length and outside off, KL Rahul eyes light up as he looks to cut it over the infield on off. The ball hits high on his bat and goes straight to Jonny Bairstow at backward point who takes a good catch to his left. 

Oh, no! Liam Livingstone is hobbling near the boundary ropes and that looks pretty serious as well. What a shame for Liam and Punjab and that is a big blow. The physio helps him to the dugout and that looks like a left quadriceps injury, but not sure.

3.4: Arshdeep Singh to KL Rahul, Bowled on a length, just outside off, KL Rahul whips it over mid-wicket. The ball just stops inches before the ropes and Rahul Chahar sprints to it and cuts it for just two runs.

3.3: Arshdeep Singh to KL Rahul, FOUR! That's some shot. Goes fuller and just in the arc on middle and off, KL Rahul clears his front leg and lofts it straight over the bowler's head for another boundary.

3.2: Arshdeep Singh to KL Rahul, On a length, just outside off, KL Rahul mistimes his pull to mid on for no run.

3.1: Arshdeep Singh to KL Rahul, SIX! Wow, that's pure elegance! Served on a fuller length, on middle and off, KL Rahul just clears his front leg and times his shot to perfection over the bowler's head for a maximum.

2.6: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, That's an absolute peach! Bowls it on a good length, on off and gets the ball to seam back sharply cutting Quinton de Kock into half.

2.5: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, On a length, and on middle and leg, Quinton de Kock tucks it to the on side.

2.4: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, SIX! That's a top, top shot! Kagiso Rabada offers width outside off on a length, Quinton de Kock makes use of the pace on offer and slashes it over backward point for a maximum.

2.3: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Quinton de Kock makes it look very easy! Shorter in length, and outside off, Quinton de Kock opens his arms and slashes it over point for a boundary.

2.2: Kagiso Rabada to Quinton de Kock, On a length, on middle and leg, Quinton de Kock tucks it to mid-wicket.

2.1: Kagiso Rabada to KL Rahul, Dropped! Harshal Patel did everything to get to it but spills it out. Kagiso Rabada hits the deck hard over middle and gets the ball to shape away a bit, KL Rahul pulls it off the upper half of the bat towards deep backward square leg. Harshal Patel from deep gets to the ball and throws a dive to his front but fails to poach the ball as the batters cross.

Kagiso Rabada comes in as the first change now.

1.6: Arshdeep Singh to Quinton de Kock, Good effort in the deep from Liam Livingstone! Another fuller delivery, outside off, with some away movement, Quinton de Kock slashes it to the right of deep backward point. Liam Livingstone gets to the ball and cuts it down to just two.

1.5: Arshdeep Singh to KL Rahul, Straighter and on a length, into middle and leg, KL Rahul flicks it to fine leg for a single.

1.4: Arshdeep Singh to Quinton de Kock, On a good length, just outside off, Quinton de Kock waits for it and cuts it square of the wicket on off for a single.

1.3: Arshdeep Singh to Quinton de Kock, Goes fuller again and on off, Quinton de Kock drives it straight to mid off.

1.2: Arshdeep Singh to KL Rahul, Pitches this on a good length and gets the ball to nip back in a bit, on off, KL Rahul gets a thick inside edge to deep square leg for a single.

1.2: Arshdeep Singh to KL Rahul, WIDE! Bowls this fuller again, but down leg, KL Rahul looks for the flick but misses on connection. 

1.1: Arshdeep Singh to Quinton de Kock, Briefly in the air, but safe! Arshdeep Singh starts from over the wicket and bowls this fuller and outside off with some away movement, Quinton de Kock extends his arms and cuts it through the right of point fielder for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to steam in from the other end.

0.6: Sam Curran to KL Rahul, A steady start for both the teams! Sam Curran bowls this fuller and just outside off, KL Rahul tucks it to the right of short third. 5 runs come off the first over.

0.5: Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, Drops the length a bit, over off, Quinton de Kock clips it to the right of deep square leg and gets to the other end. 

0.4: Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Quinton de Kock and Lucknow are underway. Fuller delivery on off, Quinton de Kock leans on and drives it with a full face of the bat past mid off for a boundary. 

0.3: Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, Hits the deck on a good length, on off, Quinton de Kock stabs it back onto the pitch. 

0.2: Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, Bowls this fuller and outside off with some away movement, Quinton de Kock watches the ball closely and leaves it alone.

0.1: Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, Right on the money straight up! Steams from over the wicket and hurls this on a good length angling into the left-hander. Quinton de Kock looks to fend it out but the ball gets through to wear him high on the abdomen.

All in readiness for the game to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle as Shikhar Dhawan is seen leading the Punjab players in a huddle before they take their places on the field. It will be KL Rahul to open the innings for Lucknow alongside Quinton de Kock as usual and not Devdutt Padikkal as a few of us were expecting. Sam Curran has been handed the new ball and is raring to go. Let's play...

Marcus Stoinis is down for a chat. He says that they are here at their home ground and he has just been training in the last few days. Adds that the home teams have done well and it is important for them to start well and the wickets are also different this year which hopefully is positive for them. Mentions that they played a couple of practice games on the red soil pitch and the black soil pitch and reckons that the former track had a bit of early nip for the pacers. Informs that Justin Langer is someone who he has played under a bit and it is all about enjoying your game.

Shikhar Dhawan the captain of Punjab says that they would have bowled first anyway as they want to take advantage of the dew that might set in later. Adds that they will look to improve on small things like bowling tight lines and building partnerships which they have spoken about in the dressing room. Mentions that they will look to capitalize on the powerplay and with Jonny Bairstow at the top they will look to go hard. Concludes that they go unchanged into this game

Nicholas Pooran, the captain of Lucknow says that they will bat first as it looks like a good track and want to be aggressive and put runs on the board. Adds that the surface looks different from last season and let's see how it plays. Informs that KL Rahul was nursing an injury and hopefully, he can get more involved as the tournament goes on but will be there in the Impact Players. Adds that it is a new season and they will look to improve and ends by saying that there are a lot of changes in the Playing XI.

Impact players nominated by Punjab - Prabhsimran Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Tanay Thyagarajann, Vidwath Kaverappa, Harpreet Singh.

Punjab (Playing XI) - Shikhar Dhawan (C), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.

Impact players nominated by Lucknow -  Ashton Turner, Naveen-ul-Haq, Amit Mishra, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham.

Lucknow (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran (C)(WK), Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav (On debut) (In for Naveen-ul-Haq), M. Siddharth (In for Yash Thakur).

TOSS - Lucknow have won the coin flip and have elected to BAT first.