Highlights, IPL 2018 Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 31 runs

MATCH 44 HIGHLIGHTS KXIP vs KKR FROM INDORE

IPL 2018 LIVE Cricket Score, KXIP vs KKR at Indore: Hello and welcome to the highlights of the Indian Premier League 2018. Kolkata have successfully defended the total and have bagged couple of important points. They now have 12 points against their name are have leaped over Mumbai in the points table. Their bowlers have got the job done, it was a commendable effort from the visiting team. They batted superbly and then bowled well. It was a complete team performance from Karthik's men. Rahul and Gayle provided Punjab with a cracking start, they registered another 50-run opening stand and were on course to chase down this total. Kolkata were desperate for wicket at that stage and their skipper turned to Russell to do the job and the West Indian all-rounder didn't disappoint. He got back-to-back wickets and got his team back on top. So here you can take a look at the match highlights right from the toss till a smashing end as KKR beat KXIP.  (LIVE SCORECARD) (LIVE STREAMING)

HIGHLIGHTS, MATCH 44: KINGS XI PUNJAB VS KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS 

19.53 IST: 

19.45 IST: 

19.41 IST: And thats a wrap. Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 31 runs. Got to hand it to Punjab's lower-order batsman to reduce the deficit after their openers KL Rahul and Chris Gayle did their bit. KKR are now on the fourth spot. KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS BEAT KINGS XI PUNJAB BY 31 RUNS AT INDORE

19.40 IST: OUT! Mohit Sharma comes on to bat for the remaining three balls and plays a classic shot. KXIP 214/8 in 19.4 overs

19.35 IST: OUT! Prasidh removes Andrew Tye. Acrobatic effort from Karthik, he pulls off a stunner and sends Tye packing into the hut! Short of a length ball down the legside, Tye swivels across and attempts the pull shot. He gloves it to the keeper, who flew to his left and takes a blinder.  KXIP 209/7 in 19.1 overs

19.33 IST: FOUR! Ashwin has been hammering away. Clever stroke from Ashwin, he gets a pacy short pitch delivery from Russell, he just backs away and smartly upper cuts it over the keeper for a boundary. 38 needed from 7 balls, so basically Punjab need to hit six of every ball. KXIP 208/6 in 19 overs

1,9.33 IST: SIX! The skipper goes bang and honestly, we have never seen this side of Ashwin. Another biggie from the bat of Ashwin! Fuller length ball on the stumps and Ashwin clobbers it over long on fence for a six. 200 up for Punjab. KXIP 204/6 in 18.4 overs

19.30 IST: SIX! Ashwin goes big on Russell's delivery. A fearless skipper indeed. Slog from Ashwin and he manages to clear the long on fence! Fullish delivery on the stumps and Ashwin whacks it for half a dozen. KXIP 196/6 in 18.1 overs

19.28 IST: FOUR!  Bang goes Tye and they're trying to reduce the deficit as low as possible. That one was right in the zone and he backs away as gives it full monty. Slogs it hard to the mid-wicket boundary. KXIP 190/6 in 18 overs

19.22 IST: FOUR! This one has been smacked by Ashwin on Narine's delivery. KXIP 181/6 in 17 overs

19.22 IST: FOUR Cheeky by Ashwin. Deft touch from Ashwin! That was nicely done by the Punjab skipper! Faster delivery closer to the off stump from Narine, Ashwin plays a late cut just past the keeper for a boundary. KXIP 177/6 in 16.5 overs

19.19 IST: SIX!  The skipper hits big and that has been walloped. The third six of the Searles' over including his maiden wicket as well. KXIP 170/6 in 16 overs

19.17 IST: SIX! And that came out of nowhere as Andrew Tye smashes that. Unexpected for sure. KXIP 163/6 15.3 overs

19.16 IST: OUT! The big man is off. Javon Searles gets his first IPL wicket. KXIP 156/6 in 15.2 overs

19.13 IST: SIX! Smashed by Finch and that is some power by the Aussie. Gigantic strike! Full pitch delivery from Searles in Finch's arm and he doesn't disappoint his fans. The Aussie backs away and clobbers it over wide long on for a biggie. KXIP 156/5 in 15.1 overs

19.12 IST: 150 up for KXIP. Need 96 more to win in 30 balls. Finch isnt going down without a fight and what an opportunity to make up for the previous performances. KXIP 50/5 in 15 overs

19.10 IST: FOUR! A boundary by skipper Ashwin. KXIP 147/5 in 14.3 overs

19.07 IST: SIX! Another one by Finch and the Australian batsman has some power to unleash. He gets a flighted delivery outside off, Finch goes for the slog and mistimes it a little. But the power of the man takes it over the long on fence. KXIP 138/5 in 13.2 overs

19.06 IST: SIX!  Finch smashes that into the stands and Kuldeep is standing still. He gets a friendly gift from Kuldeep and he says thank you very much as he makes it over mid-wicket boundary. Flatter ball, he backed away and pulls for half a dozen. KXIP 132/5 in 13.1 overs

19.02 IST: OUT! Kuldeep Yadav removes Axar Patel. Seems like it's almost wrapped up. Finch is there but the bowlers are having a field time at Indore. Yadav hurls across a flighted full ball outside off, spinning away just a shade, Patel targets the long off stand but this time he fails to middle his shot properly. As a result, there is more height than distance on this one. Searles in the deep times his jump to perfection as he takes the catch safely. KXIP 119/5 in 12 overs

19.01 IST: SIX! Axar goes big. Gone all the way! Loopy full ball around off, Patel gets down on one knee and smacks it over long off for a maximum. KXIP 118/4 in 11.5 overs

19.00 IST: FOUR! Axar smashes. That's hit with immense power. Axar jumps out of the crease to a full ball and clobbers it straight down the ground. Russell attempts to stop it with a dive from long on but fails. KXIP 112/4 in 11.4 overs

18.58 IST: A stifled appeal for an lbw! Full floated ball landing around off, spinning in, Finch fails to work it around and is hit on the pads. Maybe, turning down leg too much. KXIP 104/4 in 11.2 overs

18.54 IST: FOUR! Smashed and this one is courtesy by Axar Patel. He is an all-rounder by the way. A punishable line and length outside off. Patel latches onto it and drills it through extra cover for a cracking boundary. KXIP 102/4 in 10.4 overs

18.50 IST: OUT! And Kolkata have the big fish. KL Rahul has been dismissed after a valiant fight. Since Gayle's departure, Rahul has been handling matters on his own.Narine though will take it with open arms. He has won this battle. The bowlers always do as they get multiple attempts to bowl at the batsman. As Muralitharan once said, if a batsman hits him for five sixes in a row and I get him out on the sixth ball, it's me who has won the battle. Don't know this argument holds truth in this format. Okay now, coming to the delivery. KXIP 93/4 in 9 overs

18.47 IST: SIX! Another one by the young lad. KXIP 91/3 in 8.3 overs

18.46 IST: SIX! Meanwhile, Rahul continues with his big hitting. Steps down the track to a full ball and with the spin he smashes it over long on for a biggie. He is so good to the eyes! KXIP 85/3 in 8.1 overs

18.46 IST: OUT! Andre Russell removes Karun Nair. Russell gets his third wicket! Krishna just manages to hold on to it. Off cutter from Russell on the stumps, Nair goes down the track and looks to loft that over the long on fence. He doesn't make the desired contact and hits it flat to Krishna, who gets into position quickly but the ball nearly bursts through his hand. He somehow hangs on to it with left hand and has a smile on his face. Knows that he almost made a mess there. Punjab lose another important wicket. KXIP 79/3 in 8 overs

18.36 IST: SIX! Massive and Rahul is hanging on. Losing two wickets early has dented Punjab's chances but the opener has been superb. He gets a pitched up delivery on the stumps and he lofts it cleanly down the ground. The ball sails over the long on fence for a biggie. KXIP 68/2 in 7 overs

18.31 IST: OUT! Deemed as a legal delivery and that's second wicket down for the home team! Agarwal goes for a blob! Russell gets two in two, he is now on a hat-trick! That is such an irresponsible stroke from the young man! A well-directed bumper from Russell, Mayank can't get on top of the bounce as he pulls. He top edges it to deep square leg, where Searles takes it safely. KXIP 57/2 in 5.5 overs

18.29 IST: OUT! GONE! Massive appeal for caught behind and this time umpire raises his finger! Huge success for Kolkata, they know the importance of this wicket and their celebrations are the proof of it! Sharp nut from Russell, it is short and quick from him, Gayle goes for the pull, he gets a feather touch on it and Karthik completes a regulation catch. Punjab lose their first wicket. KXIP 57/1 in 5.4 overs

18.26 IST: SIX! Gayle goes big and man, was that massive. Russell comes into the attack and that has been sent to the stands. Short of a length ball, the big man picks up quickly and gets into the position. He pulls it flat over the square leg boundary for a biggie. KXIP 57/0 in 5.1 overs

18.25 IST: Eight runs off the over and fifty comes up for Kings XI. The openers cannot let the momentum down.

18.19 IST: SIX! And Rahul goes big. Amazing shot from Rahul, it is tough to generate power in such shots but he did it with perfection! He gets a fuller length ball outside off, goes right back in his crease and slices it over third man fence. KXIP 49/0 in 4.1 overs

18.17 IST: Brilliant effort from Karthik, but he can't hold on to it! Short of a length ball on the stumps, Gayle goes across to pull that, he changes his shot at the last moment and looks to flick that, gets a thick edge to the keeper. Karthik leaps in the air and gets a hand to it. The ball lobs off his gloves towards vacant gully region. The Kolkata's skipper lost his balance and couldn't try the second attempt. Single taken.

18.16 IST: FOUR! Smashed and Gayle could have knocked out Andre Russell's head. That was powerful. Russell bowls it right in his zone and Gayle gets right under it as he lofts it cleanly over the bowler's head for a boundary. KXIP 42/0 in 3.2 overs

18.11 IST: FOUR! And Gayle hits his first boundary of the match. Over the covers and goes outside off. Can't give that much of room to any man, Gayle throws his bat at that one and slices it over short third man, no one out in the deep and the ball speeds away to the fence. KXIP 33/0 in 2.4 overs

18.10 IST: FOUR! Cut through the covers to deep backwards point and Rahul is in the mood. Superb square cut from Rahul! Nobody moved an inch! Good length ball outside off, Rahul goes on the back foot and square cuts it with precision between the two men on the off side. KXIP 28/0 in 2.1 overs

18.09 IST: Javon Searles makes his debut with the ball as he comes into the attack. 

18.06 IST: Eight runs off Krishna's over including a boundary. KXIP 23/0 in 2 overs

18.03 IST: FOUR! Hit to off-stump and the slip falls just short. Good length ball on off, Rahul flashes at that one, he gets a thick edge and the ball goes past Rana inside the circle. KXIP 19/0 in 1.1 overs

18.01 IST: SIX! Massive and this one has been blasted by KL Rahul. Another sweetly timed stroke from Rahul! He once again charges down the track and goes inside out over covers, the ball just flies over the boundary. KXIP 14/0 in 0.4 overs

18.00 IST: SIX! Lofted drive from Rahul, pure timing from him and the ball sails over the long off fence! Tossed up delivery from Narine, the batsman steps out and hits it cleanly over the ropes. KXIP 8/0 in 0.3 overs.

17.58 IST: Welcome back. The Punjab opening pair of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle walks out to bat. For Kolkata, Sunil Narine will open the attack with the new ball. The hosts have a stiff target to overhaul, can they do it? or will Kolkata manage to defend this score? Odds are against the home team, but you just can't count them out so easily. They definitely have the artilery to pull-off this score.

17.43 IST: Kolkata Knight Riders post 245/6 in 20 overs against Kings XI Punjab in Indore. Narine 75, Karthik 50, Tye 4/41. Barinder Sran to Javon Searles, SIX! Searles finishes off in style. He gets a bowl right under his bat and he tonks it over the long on fence for a six. KOLKATA FINISH WITH 245/6.

17.40 IST: OUT! Barinder removes Karthik for 50. Sran strikes but more importantly it's a dot ball for Punjab! Sran pulls his length back and the ball skids through after pitching. Karthik looks to pull that. He gets a top edge which flies to long off. Miller (substitute) in the deep takes another safe catch. End of a wonderful knock from the Kolkata skipper. Kolkata Knight Riders 230/6 in 19.2 overs vs Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

17.38 IST: FIFTY! Dinesh Karthik hits his 15th IPL half-century. Andrew Tye to Dinesh Karthik, 1 run. Full pitched delivery on off, Karthik carves it to backward point for a single. D gets to his fifty with an easy single. Kolkata Knight Riders 228/5 in 18.5 overs vs Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

17.36 IST: FOUR! Gayle just doesn't move! The ball just rolls past his right hand and he doesn't bother to put in the dive or doesn't even try to chase it! Length ball from Tye on the off stump line, Gill gets a thick edge behind the wicket on the off side. The ball races away to the third man fence.

17.35 IST: FOUR! Well placed by Karthik! Slower ball on a length outside off, Karthik expected that one, he sits back and chops it right between short third man and point for a boundary.

17.34 IST: Shubman Gill comes to bat.

17.33 IST: OUT! Mohit Sharma removes Nitish Rana for 11. Miller holds on to a skier! Kolkata lose their fifth wicket but does it matter at this stage? No is the answer to it! Another slower ball from Mohit well outside off, Rana has to reach out for it and can't get enough power in the shot. He top edges the heave to long off. Miller runs in from the deep and takes it safely. Kolkata Knight Riders 218/5 in 17.5 overs vs Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

17.27 IST: Nitish Rana is the new batsman.

17.26 IST: OUT! Tye removes Russell for 31. Top edge and taken! Rahul calls for it and he makes no mistake whatsoever! Short ball from Tye, angling in from outside off, Russell goes across to pull that, he was rushed by that one and only manages a top edge behind the wickets on the leg side. Rahul runs across to his left and pouches it safely. End of a breeze cameo from Russell. Kolkata Knight Riders 205/4 in 17 overs vs Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

17.24 IST: FOUR! Clever stroke from Russell! Pacy delivery, full outside off, Russell backs away and opens the face of the bat. He makes enough contact and carves it over Gayle at short third man.

17.18 IST: FOUR! Pulled away by Russell! Much flat and much quicker from Mujeeb on the leg stump line. Russell swivels across and pulls it away to the square leg boundary. 21 runs from the over, a massive one for Kolkata. Will they go past 250-run mark? KKR 190/3 in 16 overs.

17.17 IST: FOUR! More runs! Faster one on a length outside off, Karthik goes for the flat-batted stroke, he gets a top edge over the keeper and the ball speeds away to the third man fence.

17.15 IST: SIX! Biggie! Karthik joins the fun! Faster one on a length, he goes right back and pulls it over the ropes at mid-wicket.

17.13 IST: SIX! HUGE! Russell is striking pretty neatly at the moment! Axar floats a delivery on the off stump line, Russell goes down on one knee and mauls it over the mid-wicket fence for half a dozen. KKR 169/3 in 15 overs.

17.12 IST: SIX! BANG! Another maximum from the bat of Russell! Loopy ball on off stump line, Russell goes for the slog sweep and connects well. The ball sails over the square leg fence for a maximum.

17.10 IST: FOUR! Well swept by Karthik! Floated delivery on the off stump line, he sweeps it away to deep square leg. Tye in the deep puts in the dive and fails to stop it. That should have been stop, poor effort from the pacer.

17.08 IST: SIX! WHACKED IT! This one sails into the top tier! Full pitch delivery right in his arc and Russell clobbers it into the stands over the long on fence.

17.05 IST: FOUR! Delicate late cut from Karthik! Faster one closer to the off stump, he sits on the back foot and plays a cut shot right past the keeper and beats Gayle at short third man. The ball races away to the fence.

17.03 IST: FOUR! Wonderful wrist-work from Karthik! Fires it full outside off, he opens the face of the bat at the last moment and slices it right between the two men at backward point and short third man. The ball races away to the fence.

17.01 IST: Dinesh Karthik walks out to bat.

17.00 IST: OUT! Tye removes Uthappa for 24. Tye strikes for the second time in this over! Two consecutive wickets for Punjab and they are slowly clawing back in the game! Slower ball from Tye does the trick, on a length outside off and Uthappa tries to reach it. He goes for the square cut and ends up splicing it to the point region. Mohit inside the circle takes a safe catch. Kolkata Knight Riders 129/3 in 11.5 overs vs Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

16.58 IST: Andre Russell walks out to bat.

16.57 IST: OUT! Tye removes Narine for 75. GONE!! Tye provides a wicket to Punjab. Narine looked in terrific nick and threatened to take game away from the home team. Though, he has still inflicted enough damage! Short ball from Tye, much slower in pace. Narine is early into the pull and gets a thick edge through t othe keeper. Rahul takes a simple catch. Narine gets out after registering his highest score in the Indian T20 League. Kolkata Knight Riders 128/2 in 11.3 overs vs Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

16.56 IST: FOUR! Smoked it! Narine is dealing in fours and sixes! Full pitch delivery outside off, he gets right under it and goes inside out over covers for a boundary.

16.54 IST: SIX! That is terrible from Sran! Bowls a half tracker outside off, Narine fetches it from there and deposits it over the mid-wicket boundary for another half a dozen.

16.52 IST: FOUR! Runs coming thick and fast for Kolkata! Sran goes for the yorker, he ends up dishing out a low full toss and Narine flicks it with power to the mid-wicket boundary.

16.50 IST: SIX! Grand pick up shot! Fielder at the deep square leg region thought the ball might come to him but it just sails over him! Back of the hand slower ball and Narine whips it for a biggie.

16.47 IST: SIX! Brilliant strike from Uthappa! He brings up the 50-run partnership with Narine in style! Loopy ball on the stumps and he clobbers it over the mid-wicket boundary for a six.

16.45 IST: FOUR! Carom ball from Ashwin and Uthappa sweeps it to short fine leg. Gayle doesn't bother to chase it and the ball races away to the boundary.

16.43 IST: FOUR! Poor ball and Narine puts it away with utmost ease! Faster one short on the leg stump line, Narine goes across and whacks it to the square leg boundary.

16.41 IST: FIFTY! Sunil Narine hits his 3rd IPL half-century. Axar Patel to Sunil Narine, 1 run. Flatter ball on the leg stump line, he goes across and works it to deep mid-wicket for a single. Kolkata Knight Riders 88/1 in 8.3 overs vs Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

16.39 IST: FOUR! Stunning strike from Uthappa! Clean swing of the bat through the line from Uthappa, he gets closer to the pitch of it and hammers it back over Patel. The ball races away to the long off fence.

16.32 IST: FOUR! Whipped away in fine style! Good length ball on the pads, Narine goes right across and whips it off his pads to the fine leg boundary.

16.30 IST: Robin Uthappa is the next man in.

16.29 IST: OUT! Tye removes Chris Lynn for 27. Oh dear! That's really unlucky for Lynn but Punjab will take that with both the hands! Short of a length ball, angling into the batsman, who swivels across to pull that. He can't put bat to ball and gets hit on the thigh pad. The ball pops up and hits his gloves and just kisses the top of off stump. Important breakthrough for Punjab. Kolkata Knight Riders 53/1 in 5.2 overs vs Kings XI Punjab in Indore.

16.25 IST: FOUR! Top edge and that sails over Gayle at short third man! Short balll from Sran, Narine looks to pull but he is late on that one. He gets a thick edge which flies away to the third man boundary.

16.24 IST: SIX! Go fetch that! That's a massive strike from the Aussie! 91 meter hit! Full pitch delivery right in the slot, the batsman backs away and mauls it miles over long on fence for a biggie.

16.22 IST: FOUR! More runs! 10 from 2 balls off Ashwin! He is leaking runs, fires it full on the stumps and Narine bunts it over the fielder at mid on for a boundary.

16.20 IST: SIX! BINGO!! Narine breaks the shackles! Flatter ball, touch too short from Ashwin, Narine backs away and thwacks it hard over the mid-wicket boundary for a maximum.

16.19 IST: Mujeeb has taken a blow on his hands and needs some medical attention.

16.18 IST: Sunil Narine Dropped! But those are difficult to hold on to! Loopy ball on off, Narine smashes it back to the bowler who fails to react quickly and palms it to his fielder at the mid off region. KKR 20/0 in 3.2 overs.

16.09 IST: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sunil Narine, 3 runs. Up and over! Narine goes for the big shot and miscues it over the infield. He backs away and splices it over point. Nair chases the ball and puts in the slide as he manages to stop that inside the ropes. Saves a run for his side.  KKR 15/0 in 2 overs. 

16.04 IST: FOUR! Two in two for Lynn! That has been a profitable stroke for Chris Lynn! Similar delivery from Sharma and Lynn doesn't hold back. He goes after that one again and gets the inside edge. Luckily for him the ball once again misses the wickets and races away past the keeper. Mohit has a wry smile on his face after the ball makes to the fence.

16.02 IST: FOUR! Streaky! Nearly chopped it on to the stumps. Short of a length ball outside off and the Aussie throws his bat at that one, he gets a thick under edge which misses the off peg and races away to the fine leg boundary.

16.00 IST: We are all set for the game to begin, the Kolkata opening pair of Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn walks out to bat following the umpires. Mohit Sharma will open the attack for Punjab.

15.57 IST: There is one more change for Kolkata which their skipper forgot to mention at the toss. Shubman Gill is sit and he comes in place of Rinku Singh.

15.55 IST: Dinesh Karthik, the Kolkata captain, says someone has to bat first and they will try to make the most of the opportunity. Informs they have got one change in their side, Javon Searles comes in for Tom Curran. He believes sticking to the same team is important. Ends by saying it is good to show faith on the same players and allow them to play freely.

15.50 IST: Ravichandran Ashwin, the Punjab skipper, says they will be bowling first as it is a small ground and difficult to defend a score here. Quotes wicket here was sticky last time around but he is expecting it to play well today. About team changes he informs, they have made three of them. Mayank Agarwal, Aaron Finch and Barinder Sran are in for Akshdeep Nath, Marcus Stoinis and Manoj Tiwary.

15.45 IST: Kings XI Punjab Playing XI: Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul (w), Mayank Agarwal, Aaron Finch, Karun Nair, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma, Barinder Sran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

15.40 IST: Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI: Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik(w/c), Andre Russell, Javon Searles, Piyush Chawla, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav

15.30 IST: Kings XI Punjab win toss, opt to bowl against Kolkata Knight Riders in Indore.

15.00 IST: It's game time here in Indore where KXIP are all set to take on KKR.

14.40 IST: 

14.45 IST:

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the IPL 2018 Match 44 as Kings XI Punjab host Kolkata Knight Riders at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. We will shortly get underway with the match updates as the TOSS will begin at 15.30 PM IST and the match will commence from 16.00 PM IST.

Brief Preview: Kings XI Punjab will be aiming to consolidate their position in the top three of the Indian Premier League (IPL) points table when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Both the sides are coming off a defeat and will be desperate to return to winning ways as the cash-rich league reaches its business end. READ FULL PREVIEW HERE