Live Cricket Blog: Kolkata Knight Riders march into playoffs after beating Hyderabad

10:00pm – Kolkata Knight Riders march into playoffs after beating Sunrisers Hyderabad

Well there it is. Kolkata Knight Riders have sealed the third of the four IPL playoff spots on offer with a five-wicket over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Chasing 173 for victory, Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn powered Kolkata to an explosive start. The visitors never relinquished that initiative as they got over the finish line with two balls to spare. The scorecard for this clash can be checked here. For more information on how it all panned out, read our talking points from the clash here.

8:00pm – Sunrisers Hyderbad set Kolkata Knight Riders a target of 173

In the second of IPL’s double-header on Saturday, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been restricted to 172-9 after electing to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders. Shikhar Dhawan top-scored for the Sunrisers who lost an astonishing seven wickets in the final five overs of the innings. Keep updated with the latest happenings from this match here.

6:15pm – Sunrisers Hyderabad bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders

IPL’s super Saturday continues with the Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on the Kolkata Knight Riders. Kane Williamson has won the toss for the Sunrisers and elected to bat first. Follow the ball-by-ball update of this hugely significant clash for Kolkata Knight Riders here.

6:00pm – Rajasthan Royals end Royals Challengers Bangalore’s playoff dream

That was a sensational spell of leg-spin by Rajasthan Royals’ Shreyas Gopal. The spinner picked up 4-16 as Royal Challengers Bangalore slumped to a 30-run defeat. This defeat brings Bangalore’s campaign to an end while Rajasthan will have to wait for the results on Sunday to confirm a place in the last-four. Read more about how the game unfolded in our talking points here.

4:00pm – Rajasthan Royals set Royal Challengers Bangalore a target of 166

The Rajasthan Royals innings at Jaipur has drawn to a close with the hosts putting up 164-5 on the board after batting first against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Opener Rahul Tripathi top-scored for Rajasthan with an unbeaten 80 off 58 balls while Umesh Yadav picked up three wickets for the visitors. Stay tuned with the latest updates from this clash here.

2:20pm – Rajasthan Royals bat first in crunch clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore

Here we go. The first of IPL’s Saturday double-header is upon us with the Rajasthan Royals taking on the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rajasthan skipper Ajinkya Rahane has won the toss and elected to bat first in this almost virtual shootout for a playoff spot between the two sides. Follow the live action of this game from Jaipur here.

10:30 am – Royal battle for the playoffs as Akinkya Rahane’s Rajasthan take on Virat Kohli’s Bangalore

It’s another huge day of IPL action with just four games to go before the playoffs – with two of those matches today.

Two teams have already guaranteed their place in the play-offs – Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings – but their are still five teams who can qualify for the final two spots – Kolkata Knight Riders (14 points), Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab (all 12 points).

In a dramatic final weekend the Royals and Bangalore clash today at 14.30 UAE time with the winner keeping their play-off hopes alive while for the loser their season is over. Read our match preview here.

While in the late game – 16:30 UAE time – Kolkata will be hoping the already play-off bound Sunrisers take their foot off the gas. A win for the Knight Riders will see them definitely qualify for the final four. Read that match preview here.

1.30pm – What will you be watching this afternoon?

A bit of fun while we wait for the Royal showdown to start between Rajasthan and Bangalore.

We put three of England’s top cricketers – captain Joe Root, Mark Wood, and Jonny Bairstow on the spot – quizzing them over what they’ll be watching this afternoon: the FA Cup Final or the Royal Wedding. Watch their answers on our video here.

No doubt what will be watching here at Sport360 – the IPL!