Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2023, Today Match Prediction

kkr vs csk Match Prediction & Analysis

Since Rinku’s 5 sixes in the last over, KKR have lost 3 consecutive matches. Kolkata’s batting inconsistencies were apparent in that game itself.

If it wasn’t for Rinku Singh, KKR would have suffered a big loss in that game and all due to their inconsistent batting. A strong top-order has failed to fire and it is the likes of Rinku Singh and Shardul Thakur who’ve made winning contributions in the lower order.

Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, have been impressive with the bat and in their last home game were exceptional with the ball too. Akash Singh has been promising with the new ball while the spinners continue their tight lines and lengths.

On paper, it looks like CSK has a clear advantage given their current form. Can KKR turn things around or will the current trend of away wins in IPL continue?

TEAMS PREVIEW

Kolkata Knight Riders Preview

Kolkata Knight Riders are desperate for a win. They have one win from 2 matches at Eden Gardens so far. Their batting struggles are a big concern for Nitish Rana coming into this match.

And given that it is after 4 years that IPL has returned to its home-away format, teams haven’t really enjoyed the home advantage so far. The Eden Gardens offer a batting-friendly track where spinners do enjoy a bit of help from time to time.

Narine and Chakravarthy will be crucial in the KKR bowling attack. The opposition’s top-order is in sublime form and once set, can build a 200+ total on such a batting track.

Though there are some quality pacers in this squad such as Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav, and Shardul Thakur, there haven’t been any dominant performances from any of these bowlers.

Jason Roy will be Kolkata’s best hope in the top order along with Venkatesh Iyer. Russell, Rinku Singh, and Thakur can all hit the long ball in the lower order and help push the KKR total beyond 200.

Tim Southee should come in for Jason Roy as the impact player when KKR take the field. It’s time KKR return to the veteran seam bowler who can move the ball and get an early breakthrough for the team.

Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI:

Jason Roy, Liton Das (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, N Jagadeesan, Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy

Kolkata Knight Riders Actual Playing XI:

Varun Chakravarthy, Jason Roy, Umesh Yadav, Rinku Singh, Nitish Rana, Suyash Sharma, Kulwant Khejroliya, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, David Wiese, Narayan Jagadeesan

Chennai Super Kings Preview

It has been a great run for CSK this season. MS Dhoni showed he’s still got it when he almost took CSK over the line against RR in Chepauk.

In the next game in Bengaluru, his bowlers came good when it looked like RCB had run away with the game. Pathirana has turned out to be a good death overs bowler and his recent outing at home will have given him more confidence.

Akash Singh is another promising young bowler in the CSK squad. He gets the new ball to move and asks questions of the batsman early on. Jadeja was epic in the last game though there wasn’t much turn on offer from the surface. It was his disciplined bowling effort that put the opposition under pressure.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway are reliable openers in the CSK lineup who’ve been consistent this season. Ajinkya Rahane seems to have found himself in the yellow jersey, adopting an attacking approach to his batting.

While Dhoni sends himself lower down the order no matter what the game situation, it indicates the trust he’s shown in his batters. He would trust Shivam Dube’s hitting skills and send him ahead of himself and others like Ambati Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja.

It is a deep batting lineup with many key players in good touch. Jadeja may not have been as prolific with the bat this season, but he does have the skill to make the ball disappear in the crowd.

Chennai Super Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Singh, Matheesha Pathirana

Chennai Super Kings Actual Playing XI:

Ajinkya Rahane, Maheesh Theekshana, Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Moeen Ali, Devon Conway, Tushar Deshpande, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch is batting-friendly and also offers help for the spinners as the match progresses. There will be scattered thunderstorms in Kolkata with a high of 32 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

KKR will be playing at the Eden Garden in Kolkata, their home ground, for the third time this season. Except for the game against RCB where Thakur rescued a sinking KKR ship, the hosts haven’t looked dominant on this ground. Though the average 1st innings score here is 162 runs, we reckon a match-winning total would be something over 195-200. 

Toss: To Bowl

Teams batting second have the advantage on this ground. And though KKR failed to chase down the massive 228 runs total in their last game here, it is worth noting that they crossed the 200-run mark while batting second. Of the total 81 domestic T20s played here, teams bowling first have won 47. Both CSK and KKR have a deep batting lineup with big-hitting finishers in the lower order and will be comfortable chasing a total.

KKR vs CSK
Winning Prediction

Both teams pack a strong overall squad. There are big-hitting finishers in the lower order, an attacking overseas opener, and a strong spin-bowling attack. On paper, there looks very little difference between the two teams. 

However, the form guide suggests Chennai Super Kings will have the upper hand coming into this match. They not only have the momentum, but their young bowlers will also be confident of performing under pressure. 

The current batting form and Dhoni’s captaincy gives Chennai the edge and makes them favourites in our match prediction.

Our prediction is for CSK to win the match

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