TKR VS BR ELIMINATOR

Who will walk out?

OUT! BOWLED! This is what Maheesh Theekshana is all about.

OUT! BOWLED! This is what Maheesh Theekshana is all about.

Trinbago Knight Riders are underway! Flatter and on the pads. Narine clips it behind square leg for a couple of runs.

Bowls it across Narine, flatter and outside off, shapes away. Narine looks to defend but gets an outside edge but the keeper fails to collect. This will go down as a chance.

All set for action. The players are out in the middle. Jason Roy and Sunil Narine to open for Trinbago Knight Riders. Maheesh Theekshana to bowl first as Barbados Royals go with spin straightaway. Let's play...

David Miller is up for a quick chat. He says his calf is a bit soar and couldn't run properly but it was just about getting into a good position in the last match and it was fun after that. Shares it is cliche to say it is just another match but they have to win key moments in today's game which would make the difference. Trinbago Knight Riders have been successful against them but in T20 cricket it just needs one moment, one player to turn it around.

PITCH REPORT - Danny Morrison says it is 75 meters straight and a bit shorter on the square sides. Tells the batters will love to bat on this track and smash it all along the ground. That said, they still need to be careful as this is the Eliminator match.

Rovman Powell, the skipper of Barbados Royals says today is an opportunity to win against Trinbago Knight Riders and to change the experience of losing four games in a row. Informs Rahkeem Cornwall and Obed McCoy come into the playing XI. Mentions they need to keep the ball as straight as possible and hope the key players step up in the game.

Kieron Pollard, the skipper of Trinbago Knight Riders says they will bat first. Adds the team batting first here have won five times out of six. Informs Sunil Narine and Chris Jordan come back into the side. Shares it is just another game but also it is a do-or-die match, they need to stick to their plans.

Barbados Royals (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Rahkeem Cornwall (In for Kevin Wickham), Kadeem Alleyne, Alick Athanaze, Rovman Powell (C), David Miller, Jason Holder, Maheesh Theekshana, Obed McCoy (In for Keshav Maharaj), Naveen-ul-Haq, Ramon Simmonds.

Trinbago Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Jason Roy, Sunil Narine (In for Shaqkere Parris), Nicholas Pooran (WK), Keacy Carty, Kieron Pollard (C), Andre Russell, Tim David, Akeal Hosein, Chris Jordan (In for Nathan Edward), Waqar Salamkheil, Terrance Hinds.

TOSS - Trinbago Knight Riders have won the toss and will BAT.

Barbados Royals on the other hand won 5 games out of 6 at the start of the season but ran out of gas as the tournament went on and lost the next four. Luckily, the other two teams in the competition were worse than them and that helped them clinch the playoff spot. The two Proteas, Quinton de Kock and David Miller hold the key for the Royals while the bowling group consisting of Keshav Maharaj, Maheesh Theekshana and Naveen-ul-Haq needs to be at their best to beat a team like Trinbago Knight Riders. It’s currently 2-0 in Trinbago Knight Riders' favour this season. Will the Royals get the revenge in this crunch game or will the Trinbago Knight Riders make it 3-0 and go all the way through? Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

Let’s talk about Trinbago Knight Riders first - blessed with some of the biggest names which exist for the West Indian team, the likes of Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard and Akeal Hosein, these players have a chance to go all the way and keep the hopes alive to win the trophy for historic five times. It wasn’t an easy ride though as Trinbago Knight Riders had quite a few bumps on their road to the playoffs but 7 wins overall was enough for them to make the next round. Trinbago Knight Riders will once again look upon Nicholas Pooran, the man who already has a record-breaking year with 2160 runs so far in 2024 and coming on the back of a century in the last group stage. Nicky P holds the key for Trinbago Knight Riders to win the Eliminator against the Royals.

After 30 days and 30 group stage matches we finally have our top four in this year's Caribbean Premier League and we welcome you all to the coverage of the Eliminator where Trinbago Knight Riders will take on Barbados Royals for a place in the Qualifier 2. Two teams filled with extraordinary superstars face off against each other in a knockout game. The winner continues their journey while the loser takes the plane back home.

...MATCH DAY...

After an exhilarating conclusion to the group stages of the 2024 Caribbean Premier League, the top four teams have emerged, ready to enter the business end of the tournament. With no room for error, each team will be desperate to bring their best game as they strive for glory. It’s time for the real deal to commence, starting with the Eliminator. The bottom two teams in the top 4 will face off in this must-win showdown, the Trinbago Knight Riders against the Barbados Royals. Expect intense action as both teams fight tooth and nail for survival in the tournament. Despite winning their last game, the Trinbago Knight Riders fell short of qualifying for the top two spots due to net run rate, placing them in the Eliminator. However, they enter this crucial stage riding high on back-to-back victories, and they'll be keen to carry forward the momentum. Nicholas Pooran has been the standout performer for the side, and his brilliance was on full display in the previous match. Pooran stole the spotlight with a stunning knock of 101 off just 59 balls, leading his team to a formidable total of 211 runs. The bowling unit also delivered, with Nathan Edward, Terrance Hinds and Waqar Salamkheil wreaking havoc on the opposition. They restricted the Warriors, who finished at the top of the table, to just 137 runs, showcasing a well-rounded team effort. On the other hand, the Barbados Royals have qualified for the Eliminator but enter this crucial match on the back of four consecutive losses. It's far from an ideal situation for the team, and they will need to regroup quickly if they are to stand a chance against the Trinbago Knight Riders. The Royals have struggled to seize key moments and have been lacking the cohesive team effort they desperately need. Their batting order has failed to click as a whole and has depended on individuals to carry out rescue acts. To compete effectively, the Royals will require more stability from the batting lineup and greater support from their bowlers. A complete team performance is essential if they hope to turn their fortunes around and keep their tournament hopes alive. Both teams certainly have the talent and ability to move forward, but it will ultimately come down to who can hold their nerve and deliver when it matters most. With the anticipation building and excitement reaching a fever pitch, we're inching closer to what promises to be a thrilling Eliminator.