CSK Vs KKR Preview: Hosts look to seal playoffs spot against dented visitors

CSK Vs KKR Preview: Chennai are one win away from playoffs qualification, while Kolkata are virtually out of the race.

The 61st match of the Indian Premier League 2023 will see Chennai Super Kings facing off against Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

CSK won their last match against DC by 27 runs, bringing their tally to 7 wins from 12 matches and 15 points. With an upcoming match against KKR, a team they have already defeated earlier this season, CSK will be looking to secure another win and move even closer towards qualifying for the playoffs.

KKR lost their last match by 9 wickets against RR and have 5 wins from 12 matches so far. With the upcoming match against CSK, they will be looking for a win as they still have a mathematical chance to qualify for the playoffs, but they will also need to depend on the results of other matches.

CSK defeated KKR by 49 runs earlier this season with a strong batting display. Ajinkya Rahane's unbeaten 71 off 29 balls, Shivam Dube's quickfire 50 off 21 balls, and Devon Conway's stylish 56 off 40 balls powered CSK to a massive total of 235/4. A collective bowling effort from CSK's bowlers picked up regular wickets and restricted KKR to 186/8 to secure a convincing victory by 49 runs.

CSK Vs KKR: Pitch Report

The Chepauk pitch is famous for its slow pace and low bounce, making it difficult for batsmen to score runs. Batsmen need to possess excellent technical skills to succeed on this surface, while spin bowlers may find the conditions advantageous as the pitch tends to favor spin, giving them an advantage over their rivals.

CSK Vs KKR: Team News

CSK, after their win against DC, are likely to stick to the same playing XI for their upcoming match against KKR. Pathirana will play as an impact player once again.

Although KKR lost their last match they are likely to stick to the same playing XI for their next match against CSK. Suyash Sharma will play as an impact player.

CSK Vs KKR: Head To Head

Matches – 28

Chennai Super Kings – 18

Kolkata Knight Riders – 9

No Result – 1

CSK Vs KKR: Players to Watch

Chennai Super Kings: Devon Conway

Devon Conway has been in great form this season, scoring 468 runs in 11 matches and providing his team with solid starts in nearly every game, but he couldn’t perform well in the last match. As the next match against KKR approaches, Conway will be determined to continue his impressive run-scoring form and ensure that his team starts the game on a strong note.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Nitish Rana

Given his lackluster performance in the previous match with both bat and ball, Nitish Rana, the captain of KKR, should take charge and lead from the front in the upcoming match against CSK. It's critical for Rana to score runs with the bat as his form is crucial for KKR's success.

CSK Vs KKR: Probable Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings Predicted Playing XI: 

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana

Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Jason Roy, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy

CSK Vs KKR: Match Facts

The Chennai Super Kings have won 18 out of 28 matches played, while the Mumbai Indians have emerged victorious in 9 matches.

Ravindra Jadeja requires 2 more wickets to reach 150 wickets in IPL.

The last time these two teams played against each other earlier this season, CSK emerged victorious.

CSK Vs KKR: Live Broadcasting

IND: Star Sports Network (TV) | JioCinema (Live Streaming)

UK: DAZN, Sky Sports

AUS: Fox Sports, Kayo Sports