IPL 2020, RR vs KKR as it happened: Royals suffer first defeat as Mavi, Nagarkoti star for KKR

11.45 pm: That will be all from us for the night, thanks for joining in.

Player of the match: Shivam Mavi

4 overs. 20 runs. 13 dot balls. 2 wickets, that of Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler. What a night for him.  

Dinesh Karthik: Not a perfect match, areas to improve but a happy result. Emotional to see these youngsters perform on the big stage after the journey they have been through. Would have batted first anyway had we won the toss.

Points table: KKR move up to second from seventh

Kamlesh Nagarkoti: Just want to thank my family, support staff, Dravid sir and Abhishek bhaiya...

It’s been a tough couple of seasons for the youngster, he will remember this night for a long time.

Steve Smith: Didn’t quite go to plan, happens in T20 cricket. KKR love to chase, we wanted to put their death bowlers under pressure. Didn’t work out. Didn’t adapt as well as we should have to the dimensions. Dropped a few crucial catches. Possibly, wait and see (about combinations for different venues). (Laughs about Cummins telling him ‘you smack those in the nets’ for his mini-battle with the pacer).

KKR WIN BY 37 RUNS: Kuldeep concedes a six to Rajpoot and a four to Curran but in the end a comprehensive win for KKR. Another match in Dubai, another defeat for the team that won the toss.

FIFTY FOR TOM CURRAN! Well, well. Quietly this has been a superb innings by Tom Curran. With wickets falling around him, this has been a good batting effort by the Englishman. Hits three sixes off Narine to reach his landmark off 35 balls.

After 18 overs 106/9: Kuldeep does have a wicket after all. Unadkat finds Nagarkoti in the deep on the leg side. There is a question mark over whether the ball hit the camera cable on the way down but not enough evidence. Given out.

After 17 overs 103/8: Kuldeep gets one over finally, goes for 7 runs. And then Varun finishes his spell with 2/25.

After 15 overs 90/8: The athleticism of Kamlesh Nagarkoti, folks! After Archer hits a six, Varun Ch comes back brilliantly with a googly and then then the pacer (allrounder?) takes a brilliant catch coming over from long off. Two wickets in one over and now, this. A sensational catch in the outfield by Kamlesh Nagarkoti! What a night he is having.

After 14 overs, RR 81/7 - Narine has his first of the night: A good review by the KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik. Shreyas Gopal gloves one on to his thigh while trying the reverse sweep and the ball loops to DK. Narine has the wicket. Given not out on field but DK knew.

After 13 overs, RR 77/6: Spinners running through the overs now. Steady stuff from Narine and Varun. Gopal and Curran looking to take this deep and avoid a big defeat, by the looks of things.

After 11 overs, RR 66/6: No miracle rescue act by Tewatia tonight as Varun comes up with a lovely delivery to dismiss the left-hander. Tewatia gave himself room but the back-of-hand delivery from Varun turns away and hits the stumps. At the risk of calling it too early, this might be it for RR tonight. 66/6 is going to be pretty improbable to come back from.

After 10 overs, RR 61/5: A good over for RR, one they needed desperately. Tewatia hits his first six off the night, over square leg off Nagarkoti.

After 9 overs, RR 50/5: End of a superb four-over spell from Mavi.

After 9 overs, RR 50/5: End of a superb four-over spell from Mavi.

After 8 overs, RR 43/5 - KAMLESH NAGARKOTI STRIKES! The first IPL wicket for Kamlesh Nagarkoti is a special. What a moment for the youngster. Uthappa hits one to Mavi at deep square leg. Nagarkoti on fire as he picks up another too and what a catch by Shubman Gill too. Parag is gone and RR in all sorts of trouble. Brilliant low catch by Gill.

After 7 overs, RR 41/3 (Uthappa 2, Parag 1): BUTTLER GONE! In a tournament where young Indian cricketers have been constantly impressiving, it’s Shivam Mavi’s turn tonight. He gets the wicket of Jos Buttler. Pressure built by Cummins, rewards reaped by Mavi. Wide from the bowler, Buttler slashes at it and caught at short third man.

After 6 overs, RR 39/2 (Buttler 21, Uthappa 1): An over that was probably meant to get the wicket of Buttler but Cummins also has Uthappa. A superb over though, consistently above 140kph.

Cummins to bowl a third in the powerplay...interesting call by DK.

After 5 overs, RR 36/2 (Buttler 20, Uthappa 1): One of the shots of the evening by Jos, punched through the off-side for a boundary. But it was a really good over from KKR point of view.

After 4.1 overs, RR 30/2 - BIG MOMENT! Shivam Mavi with the big wicket! No fireworks from Sanju Samson tonight and KKR really needed that one. Caught at midwicket for 8 off 9 balls. Uthappa the new batsman in.

After 4 overs, RR 30/1 (Buttler 15, Samson 8): What hand-eye coordination! Jos Buttler moves beyond leg stump, shuffles back to the off-stump and scoops a full, fast one from Pat Cummins behind the wicket for a SIX. That’s sensational skill. Cummins responds with an unplayable bouncer. Great cricket all around.

After 3 overs, RR 21/1 (Buttler 9, Samson 5): On the stumps by Mavi, flicked beyond short fine leg with minimum fuss. Samson starts off looking in good touch once again.

Sanju Samson time, folks...

After 2 overs, RR 15/1: (Buttler 9): WICKET, SMITH GONE! Cummins to Smith: First up a dot ball. Then, a caught behind that was not reviewed, a mistimed shot that fell outside DreRuss’ reach, an inside edge that’s caught and given out. Short but eventful all-Aussie battle.

After 1 over, RR 12/0: (Buttler 8, Smith 1): Buttler plays this exact shot in the first over of the RR innings for a six off Narine’s bowling. That’s Buttler’s first boundary of the tournament too.

Sunil Narine starts off... Buttler and Smith to open again.

9.25 pm: KKR made 82/2 in the first 10, finished with 92/4 in the back-end. Not the easiest of pitches to bat on. A new challenge awaits RR.

Target for RR: 175 in 20 overs

End of 20 overs, KKR 174/6 (Morgan 34* off 23, Nagarkoti 8* off 5): Off the second ball, Morgan thought he had a four to his name down the ground off a full toss but Smith does well to keep it at 2. Next ball, a short ball outside off is picked up and deposited over midwicket! What a hit for six. Morgan goes for another two down the ground next ball. Smart running by Nagarkoti. Curran overdoes the wide-of-off ploy and bowls three wides. The second one is a harsh call for another wide, Morgan was on off-stump guard but the ball did cross the tramline. Another two down the ground off the fifth balls. A super yorker to finish the innings. Dot ball. 1-2-6-2-wd-wd-wd-2-0 in the final over.

After 19 overs, KKR 158/6 (Morgan 22, Nagarkoti 7): Nagarkoti with a four down the ground. This kid can bat too, that was a good looking shot off Rajpoot. Morgan still has not quite found his hitting rhythm. Rajpoot finishes with 1/39. That wicket of DreRuss.

After 18 overs, KKR 149/6 (CUMMINS OUT!): Superb catch in the deep by Sanju Samson. He is a sensational outfielder too and it’s not been easy to take high catches in Dubai. Cummins gone as he pulls a slower bouncer to Samson at deep fine leg. Samson looked like he got into a tangle but jumps and catches before landing awkwardly, hope he is alright. Curran with the wicket.

After 17 overs, KKR 141/5 (Morgan 14, Cummins 10): Four (by Cummins) and six (by Morgan) in Archer’s final over. He really should have had the wicket of his international captain but Curran puts one down in the boundary line. Jofra Archer’s figures: 4-0-18-2.

After 16 overs, KKR 127/5 (Morgan 6, Cummins 4): Another good over for RR, Curran (Tom) concedes just 7.

Last 5 overs, 38 runs and 3 wickets. RR’s bowlers have pegged KKR back brilliantly.

After 15 overs, KKR 120/5: (Morgan 2, Cummins 1): 12 runs from the over (a few wides and the big six) but Rajpoot will be delighted with the wicket of DreRuss and so should he be. This might the over who look back at the end as the game-changer.

After 14.2 overs, KKR 115/5: BIG WICKET! DRERUSS IS GONE! SIX AND OUT! Ankit Rajpoot got slammed for a big six by DreRuss but the pacer comes back with arguably the biggest wicket of the match. He is delighted! Russell can’t believe he’s sliced it straight to the fielder. Full outside off and Russell can only hit it to Unadkat. Smith is delighted, he knows how big this is.

After 14 overs, KKR 108/4 (DreRuss 17, Morgan 0) Wicket! ARCHER AGAIN! That’s a Test match dismissal. The ball straightens ever so slightly from back of the length, gets the outside edge and DK walks back. Jofra’s figures now: 3-0-4-2. This is sensational. DK’s lean patch with the bat continues.

After 13 overs, KKR 106/3 (DreRuss 17, DK 1): DreRuss is up and running, folks. Shreyas Gopal continues and the big man slams a sweep over midwicket high and mighty. What a hit. Hits another six, this one flatter. Shreyas almost has his man but the inside out lofted drive falls between the two fielders in the deep. DreRuss gets away with that one.

After 12 overs, KKR 90/3 (DreRuss 2, DK 0): JOFRA STRIKES! Great bowling change. Steve Smith brings in Jofra Archer for his second over and he strikes immediately with the wicket of Shubman Gill. Out for 47. It seemed like a legcutter and the top edge was taken by Archer himself. Follows that up with a perfume ball at DreRuss. What bowling! Sensational over.

After 11 overs, KKR 89/2 (Gill 47, DreRuss 1): Something many KKR fans would enjoy. DreRuss is into bat with 10 overs to spare! A lovely shot by Gill down the ground for four off Shreyas.

After 10 overs, KKR 82/2 (Gill 40, Rana 17): Tewatia provides the breakthrough! It looked like Nitish Rana had timed this well enough but it is straight to the fielder at long off. KKR lose their 2nd wicket at the halfway stage.

After 9 overs, KKR 76/1 (Gill 40, Rana 17): Two boundaries sandwiched by a mishit that landed safe. An eventful Gopal over to Gill. The first boundary was a thing of joy, a googly that was flicked through square leg with brilliant wristwork. Last ball, down the track and lofted over long on for another.

After 8 overs, KKR 66/1 (Gill 30, Rana 17): Riyan Parag bowls for the first time in this tournament and he concedes 14. Rana welcomes him with a superb six over long off. KKR getting a move on and a timeout called.

Riyan Parag into the attack...

After 7 overs, KKR 52/1 (Gill 26, Rana 7): When he has opened the batting, Gill averages second only to Rahul. He is looking in the mood tonight. A short ball from Shreyas Gopal is put away for four through midwicket. The leggie troubled Rana in that over though.

After 6 overs, KKR 42/1 (Gill 19, Rana 4): A boundary beyond point for Rana to get going but it is still a good powerplay for Royals. They will be happy with this start. Gill has looked good but not enough boundaries as KKR would have liked in the powerplay.

Tom Curran to finish the powerplay...

After 5 overs, KKR 36/1 (Gill 18, Rana 0): Mixed results with the change of bat. Narine goes 6, 4 and OUT. A six over midwicket followed by a boundary through cover. Then, Unadkat strikes with a slower ball that Narine misses. Timber! The pacer enjoyed that one.

A change of bat for Narine. KKR will be hoping that works.

After 4 overs, KKR 25/0 (Gill 17, Narine 5): Narine finally times one well enough to find the midwicket boundary but that’s another ordinary fielding effort. Gill then plays a gorgeous short-arm jab through midwicket for four. Narine continues to struggle. On 5 off 11 now.

After 3 overs, KKR 14/0 (Gill 12, Narine 1): Unadkat with an over now and Narine is just not middling anything. Another dropped high catch in Dubai. Uthappa gives his former batting partner Narine a reprieve. A slower ball is lofted high and it goes down. Ahem, tactical drop maybe? Narine’s on 1 off 7 now.

After 2 overs, KKR 10/0 (Gill 10, Narine 0): Oh what a shot, Gill! Rajpoot into the attack and the opener welcomes him with a lofted six down the ground. Stylish, superb timing. Narine is not quite in his rhythm yet. RR doing the right thing by cramping him for room with pace.

After 1 over, KKR 1/0 (Gill 1, Narine 0): What a start from Archer. His speeds in the 1st over: 147 151 150 148 149 151. Gill did alright but Narine didn’t seem to pick the two deliveries he faced at all.

Jofra Archer starts off with a series of really quick ones...

Michael Slater: “I am really shocked Steve Smith is chasing after winning the toss.” We’ll have to wait and see. It’s been a good batting track though, a team that chases well *should* have an advantage still.

7.27 pm: Right, Shubman Gill and Sunil Narine are out in the middle. Both teams playing in Dubai for the first time.

7.25 pm: Are RR favourites tonight?

7.20 pm: Here’s how the two teams have fared in the tournament so far:

7.16 pm: Nothing to choose between the teams in terms of H2H

Playing XIs:

• Rajasthan Royals XI: Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa, Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, Tom Curran, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Ankit Rajpoot, Jaydev Unadkat
• Kolkata Knight Riders XI: Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Varun Chakravarthy

TEAM NEWS: Both teams are unchanged. Don’t change the winning combination, someone somewhere said about a cricket match.

TOSS: Steve Smith wins the toss. And, interestingly enough, he chooses to bowl first. That’s not exactly gone to plan for other teams in Dubai previously.

6.57 pm: Not far away from the toss. Fun fact (kind of): The team winning the toss has lost nine out 11 matches so far.

6.41: “When you marry technique with temperament, you have a winner”: Sunil Gavaskar on Shubman Gill. He is really stirring up excitement among fans, sky is the limit for him if he keeps doing well.

6.32 pm: Before we look forward to tonight’s match... a look back at these two teams’ star performers in the last two matches:

The Sharjah Redemption: Rahul Tewatia and the art of not giving up

Shubman Gill’s classy knock against SRH showed he can mix flair with composure and that’s a great sign

6.30 pm: Hello and welcome to live coverage of match No 12 of the Indian Premier League. Tonight, Rajasthan Royals take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium.

Worth noting that Royals are the only unbeaten team remaining in the tournament after Delhi Capitals lost against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday night. Honestly, who would have thought this would be a No 1 vs No 7 clash (with Royals on top) when the schedule was announced.

Here’s how the table looks as of now: