India seal Super Four spot
India won by 40 runs. © AFP
Wow, Avesh was ripped to shreds right at the end as he ends up conceding 53 in his 4 overs. But India wouldn't mind that as they seal a 40-run win. They were always on the frontfoot post the powerplay and they have managed to close it out in their favour. It's been a top performance led by SKY's pyrotechnics at the death.
Bhuvi opens his account
Bhuvi comes back for his final spell and fetches a wicket. KD Shah falls for 30 off 28 balls as he miscues a loft. Hong Kong are five down.
This chase is done
India are introducing Kohli into the attack in the 17th over and that tells you all you need to know. This chase fizzled out a while ago. Just a mere formality now.
Redemption for Avesh
He has been carted tonight but he finally fetches a wicket to redeem himself. Avesh bowls on a good length straight at the stumps and the batsman misses an ugly swipe to lose him stumps.
Jadeja strikes
The key man Hayat is gone. He has done the bulk of the scoring up until now and he realises the need to do more damage if Hong Kong are to stay alive in the contest. He takes on Jadeja but mistimes the hoick completely to get caught by the fielder at short third man.
Update - Hong Kong 65/2 after 10 overs
India have pulled things back after the powerplay. Hong Kong have scored only 14 runs in the four overs after the PP and that's just not enough. They will have to press on the accelerator with the required rate mounting.
Eventful powerplay
This could have well been Hong Kong's powerplay despite the early wicket as Babar Hayat went after the Indian attack. But the final ball of the powerplay yields a wicket as a result of a run out and that could peg Hong Kong back. They post 51/2 after 6 overs.
Arshdeep strikes early
Yasim Murtaza hits two fours off Arshdeep but a short ball from the left-arm seamer brings about the opener's downfall as he top-edges a pull to fine-leg where Avesh Khan holds on to a tumbling catch. Hong Kong are 12/1 after 2 overs.
SKY lights up Dubai
What a player!! He has completely destroyed Hong Kong here tonight. India's opponents did a great job in the first 15 overs but SKY came in and hammered an unbeaten 68 off just 26 deliveries to change the complexion of this innings. He hit four sixes in that final over to guide India to 192/2. India should win this from here.
50 for Virat
Not the most fluent fifty from Kohli but he needed it for sure. It has come off 40 balls but looking at the bigger picture, he had to spend time out in the middle. India won't complain if this helps him regain his touch in the upcoming games.
How much can India get?
India are 114/2 after 15 overs. SKY has already come in and raced to 15 off 7. We all know what he can do so all eyes without a doubt will be on Kohli now as India eye a big finish.
KL fetching heat on social media
Rahul's scratchy innings ends
Not what India wanted. Not what he wanted as well. KL Rahul's misery ends as he edges one behind while attempting a sweep. Hong Kong fetch a timely wicket just when Kohli slog swept at the other end for a six. But Rahul is going to be under further pressure after this innings. He falls for a 39-ball 36.
Update - India 70/1 after 10 overs
Not the ideal start for India. They have been going after the bowling attack right from the word go in recent times but KL is pretty much following his IPL template here. Not sure the management wants that from him. Virat hasn't hit a boundary as well after facing 18 deliveries. These two will have to really take off from here. Credit to Hong Kong as well in keeping these two quiet.
Rohit falls after positive start
While KL is biding his time, Rohit did fetch a few boundaries to help India get going but he falls now in his attempt to send one out of the park. The top edge is taken as Ayush Shukla strikes. India 38/1.
Toss -Hong Kong opt to bowl
They are confident of chasing down whatever India post. So we will indeed see India bat first tonight and they have made a very important change. Rishabh Pant is back in the XI already having missed the opening game. Hardik Pandya has been rested. Not sure if he has any niggle or something because Rohit didn't point out anything at the toss. India just want to preserve him.
Teams:
Hong Kong (Playing XI): Nizakat Khan(c), Yasim Murtaza, Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah, Aizaz Khan, Scott McKechnie(w), Zeeshan Ali, Haroon Arshad, Ehsan Khan, Ayush Shukla, Mohammad Ghazanfar
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
Build up
Four days into the tournament and business is picking up. Afghanistan last night became the first side to seal their spot in the Super Four and India in all likelihood will join them tonight. India looked very impressive against Pakistan especially with the ball and if they are at their best again, Hong Kong will stand no chance. They definitely had an impressive outing in the qualifiers to get this far but with India and a wounded Pakistan in their group, not many would fancy them to get out of this group unscathed.
For India, this game is still quite important even though they have one foot in the next round already. KL Rahul in particular would dearly love to spend some time out in the middle and get some runs under his belt. Given the amount of cricket he has missed already, he has to get into some sort of rhythm before the bigger games in this tournament and the World Cup as well. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be eager to get into the hitting zone as well so don't be surprised if India opt to bat tonight.