By After almost two weeks, Chennai Super Kings are set to return to the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where they have secured two wins. However, the defending champions haven’t fared as well on the road, losing their last two games in Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad. Today they willmeet KKR in Chepuak
Awaiting them for their Monday challenge are Kolkata Knight Riders, led by Shreyas Iyer, who are yet to taste defeat this season. The resurgence of Sunil Narine as a batter and opener has been crucial to KKR’s recent dominance, and they will look for him to make an impact against CSK as well.
Although the pitch at Chepauk has traditionally favored slower bowlers, this season has seen high-scoring games, with totals over 170 being chased down comfortably in the first game and hosts posting 200-plus in the second. Even if the pitch used against KKR favors spinners, the visitors, sitting atop the points table, will be content. They aim to maintain their spot with a fourth consecutive win, while CSK looks to make a successful return home.
Head-to-head: CSK have dominated against KKR, with an 18-10 record. In Chepauk, it’s 7-3 in favor of CSK.
When: Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, April 8, 2024, 7:30 PM IST
Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
What to expect: Matches at the venue have been high-scoring, with dew not playing a significant role. There could be some change in the third game of the season.
KKR Seeks to Continue Winning Momentum in Chennai
Team Watch
Chennai Super Kings
Injury/Unavailability: Mustafizur Rahman’s return from the US is imminent, but bowling coach Eric Simmons is unsure about his availability for tomorrow’s match. Regarding Pathirana, Simmons said his absence in the previous fixture was due to CSK being conservative, and there’s not much concern.
Matchups & Strategy: Despite Rinku Singh’s ability to score big runs in the death overs, the Sri Lankan duo of Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana have been effective in keeping him in check, conceding only 35 runs in 33 balls. If Pathirana plays, he could be useful at the backend.
Probable XI: Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Daryl Mitchell, Ravindra Jadeja, Sameer Rizvi/Mitchell Santner, MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana [Impact Substitute: Mukesh Choudhary]
Kolkata Knight Riders
Injury/Unavailability: There is no update on Nitish Rana’s recovery. The other players are expected to be available.
Matchups & Strategy: Kolkata Knight Riders will look to exploit Rachin Ravindra’s struggles against the moving ball outside off.
Probable XI: Sunil Narine, Phil Salt, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy [Impact Substitute: Suyash Sharma]
Did you know?
- CSK have lost only 8 out of 34 games played in Chepauk since 2013.
- In 74 balls faced off in the IPL, MS Dhoni has scored only 39 runs against Sunil Narine, which includes a solitary boundary.
What they said:
“I think his work ethic. I think his strongest suit is his ability to work hard. A lot of people talk about skill as something that’s really important, but what really matters is the willingness to work hard. Because that is the sort of talent that not everyone possesses.” – Abhishek Nayar on Angkrish Raghavanshi
“It’s a long tournament. We wanted to be conservative about our decision-making around him (Pathirana).” – CSK bowling coach Eric Simons
