Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Chennai Super Kings Match Scorecard

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are looking to revitalize their season as the competition winds down, facing Kolkata Knight Riders at home in the Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Chennai Super Kings Match Scorecard.

CSK have enjoyed an excellent record against KKR, thanks to tactical balance and Chepauk being their home ground advantage. Their slow bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja and Sunil Narine have performed exceptionally well at this venue’s turning tracks.

KKR vs CSK

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) enjoy one of the fiercest rivalries in Indian Premier League (IPL).

Since its inaugural edition, these two teams have competed in 107 matches against one another – 52 victories have gone to KKR while 43 were won by CSK, with seven matches ending up as draws. At present KKR are third on the IPL table with 53 points from 14 matches while CSK are in second with 55 from 15 contests.

KKR have been on an impressive winning streak, winning five of their last six matches to put themselves in an excellent position to qualify for the playoffs.

To do so, they must win all three of their remaining games to reach 17 points and secure top four finish – while at the same time hope that Mumbai Indians slip up or lose games that allow a chance at overtaking them.

CSK have lost four straight games and are only just holding on to playoff hopes with three matches left in the season. Recent highlights for them include their heavy defeat at Delhi Capitals and underwhelming home performance against Rajasthan Royals.

CSK are led by veteran India captain MS Dhoni, known for his calm poise under pressure and as one of the game’s premier finishers. He is supported by an experienced squad including Ravindra Jadeja who can make plays both with bat and ball.

CSK have been active at auction this season, acquiring several high-profile new players like Carlos Brathwaite and Lockie Ferguson as high-profile purchases, along with South African pacer Anrich Nortje, English pair Harry Gurney and Joe Denly and uncapped Indian players such as Nikhil Naik, Prithvi Raj Yarra and Shrikant Mundhe (including uncapped Indian pacer Anrich Nortje from South Africa), English pair Harry Gurney and Joe Denly and uncapped players Nikhil Naik, Prithvi Raj Yarra Yarra and Shrikant Mundhe as well as retained Robin Uthappa and Piyush Chawla via RTM retention measures.

Match Statistics

Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings will face off once more at Eden Gardens for their 57th encounter, having played each other 31 times already in the Indian Premier League – with CSK holding an overwhelming 18-11 advantage in wins against KKR.

This match-up between CSK and KKR will be crucial to both clubs as it could determine their playoff prospects. CSK are currently fifth, while Ajikya Rahane-led KKR sit in sixth position; both need to win all four remaining matches to have any chance at making the postseason.

Suresh Raina leads both teams in run scoring with 747 runs scored across 21 innings, followed closely by Faf du Plessis (423). Sunil Narine leads wicket taking rankings with 27 scalps taken while Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin follow closely behind with 22 and 16 scalps respectively.

These teams have met 11 times at Eden Gardens, as outlined in the table below. Below is an outline of those results.

Head to Head Record

Since 2008 when IPL started, KKR and CSK have met in 32 matches at Eden Gardens; sharing 20 victories to 11 losses between them. Below is an extensive account of their head-to-head record against each other at this venue.

Even after falling to the bottom of the table, KKR remain competitive for playoff spots; and victory against CSK could provide them with an excellent opportunity to reach the final four. A packed house is expected at Eden Gardens for this crucial match-up.

Ajinkya Rahane’s men are on an upwards swing after their thrilling win against Rajasthan Royals in their previous game. Led by Rahane himself, they hope to extend their unbeaten run and ensure other results go in their favor.

CSK are looking forward to playing their final home game of the season and will look to ruin KKR’s party with their strong bowling attack and stronger squad than KKR. MS Dhoni led CSK will be buoyed by Andre Russell’s return, while they boast superior bowling credentials compared to KKR.

Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy pose a substantial threat to CSK batters as world-class spinners. Both will be able to exert pressure on inexperienced openers while making inroads into the middle order.

Match Prediction

With only two games left in the league phase, KKR must win both to have any hope of qualifying for playoffs. They edged past RR by one run following Andre Russell’s brilliant 57 off 25 balls which helped them achieve 206-4 total.

Their bowlers also showed great discipline; Sunil Narine took two wickets while Axar Patel and Riyan Parag each claimed one wicket apiece.

KKR have been on an impressive run recently and will look to maintain their solid form at home. While their batting has struggled at times, adding England international Sam Billings has brought some much-needed stability. Billings has proven himself both with bat and ball since joining Kolkata; scoring useful cameos while being an efficient gloveman.

CSK have had an underwhelming start to their season but will look to turn things around against KKR in their next match. Currently placed fifth in the table, their hopes of reaching the semi-finals seem far-fetched; thus a win would give CSK much-needed momentum going forward.

It will be interesting to watch how the batting pairs of both teams fare in this matchup. CSK openers have been in impressive form while their middle order has struggled, especially Ajinkya Rahane who has struggled against spin from Washington Sundar and Axar Patel, being dismissed twice on just 16 runs average against spin. His strike rate against pace stands at 185.6 while only 16.9.

CSK have had an indifferent start, yet are still on track for a top four finish and should be taken seriously. Their captain MS Dhoni often steps up when under pressure; hopefully he continues this form against Varun Chakaravarthy who possesses slow bowlers who may cause him difficulty.