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Well, no presentations from Mohali yet. So, that's it from the coverage of this game. There's still a game underway in Lucknow though, with the hosts taking on the Delhi Capitals in their first home game. You can switch tabs to catch all the live-action from that game. For now, this is Pratyush Rohra, signing off on behalf of my partner, Shashwat Kumar. See ya!
Punjab Kings won by 7 runs (DLS method)
Bhanuka Rajapaksa - 50 (30) | Arshdeep Singh - 3/19 Andre Russell - 35 (19) | Tim Southee 2/54
Right then. We've finally got confirmation. Punjab Kings take the two points in their opening contest with Kolkata Knight Riders coming close to give them a scare. The last couple of wickets that fell in quick succession might have tilted the DLS score in Punjab's favor, and they certainly won't be complaining.
After the batters set the tone for them with plenty of intent throughout the innings, it was the bowlers who did their bit in the second innings. It was Arshdeep Singh's double whammy in the second over that tottered PBKS' pursuit after a blazing start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but he couldn't sustain it for a longer time either.
Venkatesh Iyer and Nitish Rana stitched together a handy little partnership to take the game deep. However, they gave themselves too much to do at the backend, with even Andre Russell unable to rescue them from that situation. The West Indian probably could have been sent higher up the order, which might have made all the difference to the DLS equation eventually.
Anyway, once his little cameo was over courtesy of Sam Curran, Venkatesh Iyer stumbled soon after. That was the death knell for the Knight Riders, even though Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine showed some fight with the bat. With the rain tumbling down, it's the Punjab Kings who bag the two points to get their campaign underway with a win.
19:50: And that will be that. The umpires have had a chat and have players are shaking hands. Punkab Kings win by 7 runs (DLS method)
19:40 IST: Still steadily raining in Mohali. No signs of resumption yet. The covers are firmly in place. Nothing to add.
Floodlight failure stopped play at the start of the second innings. Now, it's a much more conventional reason with the rain coming in. Either way, it has been a slightly annoying stop-start game for the fans. Here are how some of the fans reacted on Twitter to these delays 👇
Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants are ready to take center stage with their game getting underway in Lucknow. You can hop on right here, to catch all the live action from that contest.
19:27 IST: We've had quite a few delays in this contest. The latest from the venue is that the game has to start by 7:54 PM is we are complete this contest. We will start losing overs if it goes beyond that.
Only been a few minutes but the rain has intensified. If we don't get a resumption soon, Punjab Kings will take the two points. The ground staff is bringing in all the covers they can, while some of the crowds make their way out or try to find shelter.
Just when it seems like PBKS have done enough to seal the deal, KKR manage to find the boundary to keep their hopes alive. Well, not for long as it stands because the heavens have opened up. The covers are coming on with the rain getting heavier. KKR are 7 runs behind on DLS!
15.6 Arshdeep Singh to Sunil Narine, NARINE MEANS BUSINESS! Slower delivery on a length on off stump, and that just sits up to be hit. Narine winds up and smears it over the wide long on fence!
15.5 Arshdeep Singh to Shardul Thakur, very full delivery on off stump. Shardul hangs back in his crease and drives it down the ground for a single
15.4 Arshdeep Singh to Sunil Narine, full delivery on middle and off stump. Narine comes forward and pushes it towards extra cover to get off the mark
Sunil Narine, LHB, comes to the crease
Another bouncer, another wicket for Arshdeep! He's got the sharp skiddy bouncer in his locker, much like Sam Curran, and it brings him his third wicket. What a performance it has been from the left-arm seamer this evening!
15.3 Arshdeep Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, SOFT DISMISSAL! ARSHDEEP HAS THREE! Banged into the track outside off stump. Iyer thinks he can upper cut it over backward point and short third man, but it looks like he is a little early into the stroke. In the end, he offers some catching practice to backward point as Arshdeep does his little imitation of Shaheen Shah Afridi's famous celebration!
Venkatesh Iyer c Rahul Chahar b Arshdeep Singh 34 (28b, 3x4, 1x6)
15.2 Arshdeep Singh to Shardul Thakur, full delivery on leg stump. Shardul lets the ball come to him before tucking it off his toes towards deep backward square leg
15.1 Arshdeep Singh to Venkatesh Iyer, full delivery outside off stump. Iyer throws his hands at it and slices it on the bounce to deep point for a single
Arshdeep Singh [2.0-0-9-2] is back into the attack
Lord Shardul Thakur, get him up the order! That is a ridiculous shot to get off the mark. Russell's done what he could do in this game. Now, it's up to Venkatesh Iyer to get his side over the line. Thakur has shown he can chip in, while Narine is still to come. The game certainly isn't over just yet.
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