Match 25 of the current IPL season will see Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, April 11.
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Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Preview
Murphy’s Law seems to have a soft spot for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025. Following four consecutive defeats, the team has now suffered another major setback with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to injury. In response, CSK have issued an SOS to MS Dhoni, who is set to return as captain.
The last time MS Dhoni stepped out to bat at Chepauk, an unusual scene unfolded—the crowd started to leave. Known for its deafening roars, the iconic stadium fell eerily silent as CSK’s chase fizzled out against the Delhi Capitals last weekend, despite Dhoni being at the crease. Now, Chennai Super Kings are staring at unfamiliar territory: a defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday would mark their first-ever streak of three consecutive IPL losses at home.
Three years ago, Chennai Super Kings found themselves in similarly troubled waters. As defending champions, they suffered four straight defeats before securing their first win in the fifth match. Back then, a newly appointed captain was under pressure—just like Ruturaj Gaikwad has been recently. To bring stability, MS Dhoni stepped back into the leadership role. Now in 2025, Dhoni returns to the helm at 43, but this time it’s not a choice—it’s a necessity, with Gaikwad sidelined for the season due to a fractured elbow.
Unlike the 2022 season, when Dhoni’s comeback didn’t quite reverse CSK’s fortunes—they finished ninth, only above Mumbai Indians on net run rate—CSK will hope for a different outcome this year. The challenge is steeper: they’ve lost four of their first five games and are missing their top batter in a lineup that’s already struggled at the top.
Though the reunion of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway at the top has helped alleviate some of CSK’s early-innings struggles, the middle order remains a concern. Batters positioned at Nos. 4 to 7 have collectively managed the lowest strike rate this season—just 126.04.
CSK’s power-hitting has also taken a hit this season. They’ve cleared the ropes only 31 times in five innings—the fewest among the nine teams that have played at least four matches.
Even though they finally breached the 200-run mark in their last match, concerns remain—especially about their chasing ability. To make matters worse, CSK have been subpar in the field, dropping more catches than any other team this season, several of which have directly cost them matches. Their catching success rate stands at just 67.6%—the second-worst this season.
CSK’s spin department has been underwhelming this season, though Dhoni’s return as captain might inject much-needed clarity and control. The team now returns to Chepauk, but home advantage seems less certain than before. They’ve already been outplayed there by both RCB and DC, and with another slow surface on the cards, it could play right into the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders.
One of the matchups to watch will be MS Dhoni against KKR’s spinners. Dhoni has struggled notably against Varun Chakravarthy, scoring just 11 runs off 16 balls and getting out three times. His record against Sunil Narine is even more telling: 39 runs off 74 balls at a strike rate of only 52.70, with one dismissal.
Ravindra Jadeja’s impact with the ball has varied sharply based on the team’s fortunes. In matches CSK have won, he averages 21.98, whereas in defeats, his bowling average climbs significantly to 49.34.
This marks just the third instance of Chennai Super Kings losing four or more consecutive matches in a single IPL season. The previous occurrences came in 2010—when they went on to lift the trophy—and in 2022, when they ended the campaign in 9th place.
Much like CSK, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) also find themselves in the bottom half of the points table. Both teams have openly voiced their dissatisfaction with the nature of the pitches at their respective home grounds—raising the question: what kind of surface will Chepauk serve up on Friday?
If the pitch offers turn, KKR’s spin duo—Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine—could pose a serious threat. Harshit Rana’s clever variations might also prove useful in such conditions.
KKR are still waiting for their Caribbean powerhouses, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, to hit top gear. However, one bright spark has been Varun Chakravarthy, who remains a tough puzzle to solve for batters this season. The mystery spinner has fond memories of Chepauk, having lifted both the IPL and TNPL trophies at the venue last year.
Ajinkya Rahane, who experienced a T20 career resurgence during his stint with Chennai Super Kings, will now lead Kolkata Knight Riders against his former franchise. Adding to the intriguing narrative, Dwayne Bravo—once a key figure at CSK as both a player and later as their bowling coach—will now be plotting against them in his new role as KKR’s team mentor.
Another subplot worth keeping an eye on is Sunil Narine’s dominance with the bat over R Ashwin. Narine has smashed 94 runs off just 39 balls against Ashwin in the IPL, at a staggering strike rate of over 240, while being dismissed only once.
Andre Russell has surprisingly not batted higher than No. 7 in any of his four innings in IPL 2025 so far, even coming in at No. 8 against Mumbai Indians. KKR might consider promoting him up the order, unless they’re deliberately holding him back to avoid a match-up with R Ashwin. The offspinner has kept Russell quiet in T20s, conceding just 16 runs off 17 balls and dismissing him twice. However, Russell has had more success against Ravindra Jadeja, smashing 69 runs off 38 deliveries with two dismissals. Against Noor Ahmad, Russell has scored 12 runs from seven balls but has also fallen to him once.
KKR’s middle order fares better than CSK’s with a strike rate of 147.18, though it still lags behind the elite batting lineups in the tournament. KKR have hit 42 sixes in five games, showcasing a more explosive approach than CSK.
KKR pacer Vaibhav Arora will be eager to bowl during the powerplay, especially against CSK’s left-handed openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. Since IPL 2024, Arora has been excellent against left-hand batters in the powerplay, taking eight wickets in 11 innings at a strike rate of 7.00 and maintaining an economy rate of just over six.
In the fielding department, Kolkata Knight Riders have been far more efficient, boasting a catching success rate of 87.5%, the second-best this season.
Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Head-to-Head
- Total Matches Played: 29
- Wins by Chennai Super Kings: 19
- Wins by Kolkata Knight Riders: 10
- Tied Matches: 0
- No Results: 0
- First-ever Fixture: April 26, 2008
- Most-recent Fixture: April 8, 2024
Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The Chepauk pitch remains unpredictable, with CSK head coach Stephen Fleming admitting the team has struggled to adapt to its changing nature over the past few seasons. Conditions are forecast to be dry with no rain interruptions. While spinners may extract some grip early on, batters who take their time could find opportunities to score. A contest with middling totals appears likely.
Recent matches suggest the pitch tends to deteriorate as the game progresses, making batting more challenging in the second innings. In fact, CSK have found it harder to chase in their last two outings at the venue, unlike their opponents who batted first and enjoyed better conditions.
Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Team News and Predicted XI
Chennai Super Kings – Team News
With MS Dhoni stepping back into the captaincy role, CSK could also see a change at the top of the order, with Rahul Tripathi potentially slotting in for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad’s absence for the remainder of the season leaves a void, and while CSK do have several options in their squad, Tripathi—who hails from the same state as Gaikwad—appears to be the frontrunner. Another name in the mix is young wicketkeeper Vansh Bedi, who could be brought in to strengthen the middle order, possibly at the expense of a third fast bowler.
On the bowling front, CSK haven’t deployed Matheesha Pathirana with the new ball so far, but that could change given the threat posed by Sunil Narine. Known for his dominance against spin, Narine will be a key wicket early on, and CSK might look to unsettle him with pace upfront before unleashing their spin trio. Ravichandran Ashwin, despite a lukewarm season, has a strong record against KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, and will be hoping to make that matchup count.
Chennai Super Kings – Predicted XI
- Rachin Ravindra
- Devon Conway
- Rahul Tripathi
- Shivam Dube
- Vijay Shankar
- Ravindra Jadeja
- MS Dhoni (capt, wk)
- R Ashwin
- Noor Ahmad
- Mukesh Choudhary
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Matheesha Pathirana
Kolkata Knight Riders – Team News
If the pitch offers assistance to spin, KKR could consider bringing Moeen Ali back into the XI at the expense of left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson, who has been expensive, conceding nearly 12 runs per over. Moeen would add a third spin option and more depth to the batting.
Meanwhile, Quinton de Kock has struggled for form this season, barring his unbeaten 97 against Rajasthan Royals. With those inconsistencies, and considering his familiarity with CSK’s spin ace Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz might be in line for a recall after a lengthy net session ahead of the match. His comfort against spin and added energy behind the stumps could give him the edge for selection.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Predicted XI
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Ajinkya Rahane (capt)
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Moeen Ali/Spencer Johnson
- Harshit Rana
- Vaibhav Arora
- Varun Chakravarthy
Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Players To Watch Out For
Shivam Dube (Chennai Super Kings)
On Wednesday, Punjab Kings deliberately kept Shivam Dube away from the spin threat of Yuzvendra Chahal and Glenn Maxwell, opting instead to challenge him with Lockie Ferguson’s extra pace and bounce, supported by a packed leg-side field.
Dube managed 17 runs off 12 balls before Ferguson eventually bowled him. A similar tactic could be in store for him on Saturday, with Andre Russell likely to pose a comparable challenge.
Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders)
After a slow start to the season, Venkatesh Iyer has hit his stride with back-to-back impactful knocks—60 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and 45 versus Lucknow Super Giants. If he finds rhythm at Chepauk, he could potentially force CSK to hold back Ravindra Jadeja.
It’s a venue that holds fond memories for Venkatesh; he last played there during KKR’s title-winning final, where he anchored the chase with an unbeaten 52 off just 26 deliveries.
Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Chennai Super Kings win the toss and opt to bowl first
- Powerplay Score: 45-55
- Kolkata Knight Riders Total: 155-175
- Match Result: Chennai Super Kings win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 50-60
- Chennai Super Kings Total: 170-190
- Match Result: Chennai Super Kings win the match
When and Where To Watch Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Friday, April 11, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
FAQs
Who is captaining CSK in their IPL 2025 match against KKR?
MS Dhoni has taken over as CSK captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
What is CSK’s head-to-head record against KKR in the IPL?
Out of 29 matches, CSK have won 19 times, while KKR have claimed 10 victories.
Why is the Chepauk pitch considered unpredictable?
CSK coach Stephen Fleming admitted the team has struggled to understand the Chepauk surface in recent years due to its inconsistent nature.
How has Andre Russell performed against CSK spinners?
Russell has struggled against R Ashwin, scoring just 16 runs off 17 balls with two dismissals, but has been more effective against Jadeja, with 69 runs off 38 balls and two dismissals.
What’s Venkatesh Iyer’s record at Chepauk?
Venkatesh Iyer last played at Chepauk in the 2024 IPL final, where he scored an unbeaten 52* off 26 balls to help KKR win their third title.
