Join us for the toss at 7.30 PM
KXIP won the toss and elected to bowl first. RR will come out and bat. One change in the RR team, Brad Hodge is unwell and Steve Smith is in the team. For KXIP, Murali Kartik in for Rishi Dhawan.
Whether you like it or not, given what RR went through last year, they have to be the sentimental favs to win this and every other game,
KXIP have changed their squad a lot as well and if nothing else, you hope the likes of Virender Sehwag and Co come good for all the joy they have brought to millions of cricket fans around the world.
Sidhu: "Baat Budzilii ki nahi hai, baat himmat ki hai." How does he come up with stuff like this?
And we are all set to kick off. Mumbai mates Rahane and Nayar to open the innings for RR.
Rameez Raja: It irks me a little bit to see Mitch Johnson in the attack and not open the bowling.
And you have to agree with Rameez there. Mitch did get hammered in his last match but he can really terrorize the batsmen. KXIP should have given him a go and give him the freedom to do that as well.
After 1 over: Rahane used his feet brilliant on the fifth ball to get a four but an otherwise titdy start for KXIP. Just 6 runs off the Akshar Patel over.
Mitch Johnson comes on from the other end. This should please Raja.
It's short and Rahane is on to it in a flash. Johnson erred in length and Rahane pulled it. Nice and easy. RR 10-0.
After 2 overs, RR are 13-0. Largely unremarkable cricket except for two stunning fours by Rahahe. A good idea to sent Nayar up the order?
And just as we say that Abhishek Nayar smashes a six. Awana the bowler and he just isn't quick enough to scare anyone. RR 22-0.
WICKET! Rahane has been run out. RR 22-1. A direct hit. It was hit straight to Bailey and he hit the stumps directly. Rahane just gave it up. This will hurt RR.
Samson Samson you beauty! What a shot -- 6 runs. That went into the streets. Wow. How old is this guy again? RR 32-1 after 4 overs.
Wow. Another big shot by Sanju Samson. This is some splendid hitting. And it's not slogging mind you. Simply, clean, classic. RR 40-1 after 4.4 overs.
Cruel irony perhaps. Fewer ads in IPL than during Indian games. They even have time for replays.
Nayar meanwhile is struggling for timing. Sanju is making it look easy at the other end. RR 41-1 after 5 overs.
SMASHED! Down the ground by Nayar. Johnson was full and Nayar just climbed into it. A no-ball as well. RR 49-1 after 5.3 overs.
The no-ball gets the treatment as well. Another four. Nayar has no respect for Johnson's rep. Wow. Is this how he bowled in the Ashes? Against SA? RR 53-1 after 5.4 overs.
WICKET! Kartik into the attack and he strikes with his first ball. Nayar tried to sweep but was trapped LBW. But replays showed the ball pitched outside the leg-stump. RR 54-2. Nayar made 23.
Sanjuuuuu Samsoooonnn is the king. What a shot! Outside leg-side and he carts him for six over cover. RR 61-2.
After 8 overs, RR are 67-2. Samson is making it look easy in the middle. Great shot-making by the youngster from Kerala. Watson is slowly getting into his innings.
After 9 overs, RR are 77-2. Samson has just smashed another six. He has 31 off 17 balls and there's no stopping him today.
DROPPED! David Miller has given Watson a life. Went straight through his hands for four. RR 85-2
Oooooooofffff! What was that shot by Samson. Straight, flat and six. Awana doesn't belong at this level. RR 98-2 after 10.5 overs. Watson 27 off 19.
The 'sons' of RR are going crazy here. Watson and Samson are smashing sixes and fours all over the place. RR 115-2 after 11.5 overs.
After 12 overs, RR are 119-2. Samson 38 and Watson 42. Some splendid batting by the men from Jaipur.
That is big! Watson going absolutely nuts here. He is in the element and so are RR. After 12.5 overs, 127-2.
And that is the fifty for Watson -- off just 28 balls. Some manic, clean hitting on display. Class.
WICKET! Akshar Patel does the trick. Watson went for the big shot, missed and was bowled. He made 50 off 29 balls, RR 128-3.
Stuart Binny is in next. RR 131-3 after 14 overs.
WICKET! Binny walking back after having been caught by Miller's thighs. Yes, it happens in cricket. RR 144-4.
Samson is still there and hitting the big shots. RR are 157-4 after 16.3 overs.
WICKET! RR 159-5. Awana got the yorker right and Samson is walking back after making a brilliant 52 off 24 balls.
After 19 overs, RR have reached 183-5. Splendid hitting by Samson and Watson. Can they finish well?
so nayar opening after all, not sure about that. might score runs but more likely to do so from the middle order.by Harsha Bhogle via twitter 4/20/2014 2:35:36 PM
Sanju Samson whacks them! Also you cannot drop @ShaneRWatson33 it will hurt later.by Nathan Coulter-Nile via twitter 4/20/2014 3:24:15 PM