Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s Live coverage of Match 6 of IPL 2020 between Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Dubai International Stadium.

KL Rahul breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s eight-year-old record and he crosses the 2000-run mark in IPL. Back to back bpundaries off Dale Steyn and the Punjab skipper is up and running. Punjab 17/0 after 2 overs.

KL Rahul breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s eight-year-old record

Umesh Yadav started well but strayed down the leg side in the final delivery as KL Rahul flicks it for a boundary. Punjab 8/0 after 1 over.

KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are all set and it will be Rahul on strike with Umesh Yadav steaming in. Here we go!

We are all set for the game to begin and KL Rahul is closing in on an IPL record. All set for a cracker of a game.

Toss: Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Playing XI:

Kings XI Punjab: Lokesh Rahul (C/WK), Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Sarfaraz Khan, James Neesham, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin, Sheldon Cottrell, Ravi Bishnoi.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers, Shivam Dube, Josh Philippe (WK), Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Umesh Yadav, Dale Steyn, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Virat Kohli: We will bowl first. It’s a fresh wicket. Bit of dew in the second half and when the ball gets wet it’s hard to execute. That’s been a big factor. We have done really well defending a total less than 170 and seeing the bowlers execute their plans so well.

KL Rahul: There were a lot of positives and it was the first game. Mayank’s batting and our team’s fight was heartening. Jordan and Gowtham aren’t playing, Murugan Ashwin and Neesham come in. Chris Gayle will come in at the right time, don’t worry about it. It was tough sitting at home and so we are grateful to get this opportunity to play. The guys are enjoying themselves despite the rustiness in the first game.

Pitch Report: Kevin Pietersen reckons the team winning the toss should opt to bowl first or rather chase and the boundaries are longer in Dubai than compared to Sharjah.

Debut for Jimmy Neesham: All-rounder Jimmy Neesham is all set to make his debut for Kings XI Punjab.

IPL 2020: The return of coach Anil Kumble

Returning to the coaching fold after three years, the former India captain Anil Kumble feels his side, Kings XI Punjab, has all the bases covered for IPL 2020.

The cricket world is in a state of shock as former Australia cricketer Dean Jones passed away in Mumbai on Thursday following a cardiac arrest, at the age of 59.

After the contentious umpiring error in its opening game, Kings XI Punjab would look to start afresh when it takes on Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League match on Thursday.

IPL 2020: KXIP VS RCB preview

The head-to-head stats are on even scale with both teams having won 12 matches each, as the Dubai International Stadium gets ready to host a cracker of a contest.

IPL 2020: What does Kings XI Punjab’s strongest XI look like?

With the newly formed duo of K. L. Rahul and Anil Kumble at the helm as captain and head coach of the franchise, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will be keen to make a real mark in the competition, instead of just making up the numbers.

IPL 2020, KXIP vs RCB Toss Live Updates: Will coin flip favour Virat Kohli or KL Rahul

It has refreshed its squad by replacing four of its foreigners from last season with Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Jordan and James Neesham.

IPL 2020: What does Royal Challengers Bangalore’s strongest XI look like?

While RCB has a strong top-order with Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli and A. B. de Villiers, its middle and lower order don’t inspire much confidence.

KXIP vs RCB Predicted IPL Playing 11, IPL 2020 Live: Will Gayle, Neesham be in Punjab playing XI

Kings XI Punjab has refreshed its squad by replacing four of its foreigners from last season with Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Jordan and James Neesham. Here’s their Predicted XI for KXIP’s match against RCB in Dubai on Thursday.

SQUADS

Kings XI Punjab: KL Rahul (c), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Mandeep Singh, James Neesham, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Chris Jordan, Karun Nair, Murugan Ashwin, Krishnappa Gowtham, Sheldon Cottrell, Hardus Viljoen, Ishan Porel, Sarfaraz Khan, Tajinder Singh, Darshan Nalkande, Arshdeep Singh, Simran Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ravi Bishnoi

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Aaron Finch, Parthiv Patel, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Chris Morris, Dale Steyn, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav, Isuru Udana, Moeen Ali, Pawan Negi, Adam Zampa, Pavan Deshpande, Mohammed Siraj, Devdutt Padikkal, Josh Philippe, Shahbaz Ahmed

MATCH DETAILS

Match 6, Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Venue: Dubai International Stadium

Date: September 24, Wednesday.

Time: 7:30 PM IST.