IPL 2019, KKR vs RCB: Bangalore beat Kolkata by 10 runs

It's time to play the game. Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel stride out to the middle. The Kolkata fielders are also taking the field. Almost a full house here at the Eden Gardens. Terrific atmosphere. Wonderful place to play cricket. Parthiv to face first ball and it's Harry Gurney kicking off proceedings. A solitary slip in place. Here we go...

Bangalore (Playing XI) - Parthiv Patel(WK), Virat Kohli(C), Heinrich Klaasen (In for AB de Villiers), Moeen Ali, Marcus Stoinis, Akshdeep Nath, Pawan Negi, Dale Steyn (In for Umesh Yadav), Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana, Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthik(WK/C), Andre Russell, Shubman Gill, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Harry Gurney.

Bangalore skipper, Virat Kohli says that they have not been too bad at setting targets and it is another opportunity to set a good one here against Kolkata like they did the last time when they made over 200. He admits every game from here on is like a semi-final or a final for them but the most important thing is for the players to enjoy themselves and express themselves the best way possible. Kohli also confirms that AB de Villiers will not be playing tonight as he has not recovered from the blow to his head that he received in the previous game while batting. He mentions that Heinrich Klaasen replaces his countryman and that Dale Steyn is back in the team after 9 long years. The Bangalore skipper signs off by praising Steyn and stating that he is a really quality bowler who can make the difference.

Kolkata skipper, Dinesh Karthik says that they will bowl first. Mentions that Eden has always been a batting-friendly wicket and they are expecting it to be that way again. Adds that sometimes it's good to have a break. ANDRE RUSSELL IS FIT, informs DK and they have retained their last XI.

Toss - Up goes the coin, Virat Kohli calls it incorrectly and KOLKATA WILL FIELD!

Pitch - The surface looks like a belter and we can expect a high-scoring game this evening.

Warm welcome ladies and gentlemen for round two between Kolkata and Bangalore in 2019, this time at the Eden Gardens. Powered by Russell's blitz, the hosts edged out the touring team last time around and will look to repeat that this evening in order to break their losing streak. Although they are sweating over the big all-rounder's fitness who took a blow in the nets. For Bangalore, nothing has gone their way this season and we are hearing that AB DE VILLIERS IS NOT PLAYING as he is not fit. A big setback for the visitors in their attempt to keep at least their mathematical hopes alive in 2019. Dale Steyn coming in the mix would bolster their bowling unit though. Stay tuned for more updates...