Kolkata Knight Riders will continue their IPL 2025 campaign by hosting Chennai Super Kings in their upcoming match. The two teams will clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in the 57th game of the tournament on Wednesday, May 07.
Table of contents
- KKR vs CSK: Preview
- KKR vs CSK: Recent Form
- KKR vs CSK: Head-to-Head
- KKR vs CSK: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
- Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings: Team News and Starting XI
- KKR vs CSK: Players To Watch Out For
- KKR vs CSK: Prediction
- When and Where To Watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
- FAQs
KKR vs CSK: Preview
KKR vs CSK Preview: For the past ten days, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have followed a clear mantra: focus on one game at a time. They boosted their IPL 2025 playoff hopes by securing an away win over Delhi Capitals (DC) and clinching a rare home victory against Rajasthan Royals (RR). With three games remaining, KKR need to win all of them to reach 17 points—though even that might not ensure qualification.
Numbers don’t always capture the full picture, especially in a team sport like cricket. Still, KKR’s current position—sixth on the points table with 11 points from five wins, five losses, and one no result—accurately mirrors their inconsistent campaign. The defending champions have blown hot and cold, failing to generate the kind of momentum that carried them to the title last season. Just a short while ago, 16 points looked like a safe benchmark for playoff qualification. But even if KKR reach 17, they could still fall short, underlining how fierce the competition has been this season.
But as the finish line comes into view, so does the pressure. Enter MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The Eden Gardens crowd will reflect the intensity, with yellow shirts matching the purple surge in the stands. CSK’s narrow two-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) proved they’re still fighting. As five-time champions, they’ll be eager to restore pride in a fading campaign. Both teams carry different motivations—KKR chasing survival, CSK seeking redemption. Which story will triumph?
KKR – Key Players and Performance
KKR vs CSK Preview: Despite lingering concerns over their middle-order depth and the fourth overseas slot, KKR have begun clawing their way out of tricky situations. In Delhi, Sunil Narine turned the game by dismissing Faf du Plessis twice in an over. Against RR, Andre Russell rescued the innings from a shaky start, pushing KKR to a winning total—albeit by just one run. Varun Chakravarthy continues to threaten with the ball, while the openers have started clicking.
KKR’s spinners have delivered the best economy rate (7.6) and taken the most wickets (31) in the league. However, at Eden Gardens, Narine and Chakravarthy have struggled when bowling first—Narine is yet to take a wicket, and Varun has only one in three such innings.
KKR’s pace attack has also faltered at home, conceding runs at a significantly higher economy rate (11.1 vs 9.3) and averaging 35.2 runs per wicket compared to 23.6 away.
A shaky batting order, opening inconsistencies, and questionable strategies have all contributed to their troubles. Venkatesh Iyer’s lean patch hasn’t helped. Amid this, Narine and Chakravarthy remain consistent threats with the ball, while Russell’s resurgence offers hope. KKR will also be debating their fourth overseas option—Rovman Powell has lacked impact at No. 8, Moeen Ali hasn’t offered much, and pace options like Nortje or Johnson may be better suited against CSK’s young top order.
CSK – Key Players and Performance
KKR vs CSK Preview: CSK will face KKR with little left to lose. The five-time champions have used recent games to test young players, and this fixture could serve as another platform. MS Dhoni had to return as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury, but he has struggled for form and impact. Teams have targeted him with spin in the death overs, limiting his influence—evident in their recent loss to RCB.
Despite that defeat, CSK mounted their best run chase of the season. Urvil Patel’s arrival hints at a youth-oriented transition, with the franchise building a future core. Playing with freedom might benefit CSK’s younger players and catch KKR off guard.
Ayush Mhatre has smashed three sixes in the PowerPlay, while the rest of the CSK batters have managed only five combined. Ravindra Jadeja recorded his highest T20 score—77—against RCB, but has completed his quota in just one game this season. Noor, too, has taken only five wickets in his last six matches.
CSK batters have struggled against spin—losing the most wickets (32) and striking at just 124. Their inability to counter spin could be a major vulnerability at Eden Gardens, where KKR spinners thrive. While pride still matters, CSK appear focused on transition and experimentation in these final matches.
Key Matchups and Strategy
KKR vs CSK Preview: The head-to-head battle will hinge on KKR’s spinners versus CSK’s vulnerable batting. Narine and Chakravarthy will target the middle overs, especially with CSK’s record against spin. Dhoni’s personal struggles against them—strike rate of 52 against Narine and average of four at 63 SR against Chakravarthy—underscore this threat.
CSK’s young openers could be tested by KKR’s pace duo, and KKR may opt for raw speed—Nortje or Johnson—to exploit early weaknesses. Meanwhile, KKR must fix their own vulnerabilities—especially spin match-ups in batting and shaky middle-order contributions.
On paper and form, KKR hold the edge. But CSK’s unpredictability and nothing-to-lose mindset make them dangerous. For KKR, a win is essential; for CSK, it’s a chance to spoil the party and shape the future. One chases survival, the other seeks evolution.
KKR vs CSK: Recent Form
Kolkata Knight Riders WWLLW
Chennai Super Kings LLLLW
KKR vs CSK: Head-to-Head
Kolkata Knight Riders trail Chennai Super Kings 11-19 in their head-to-head record, but KKR have led CSK 3-2 since 2022.
- Matches Played: 30
- Won by Kolkata Knight Riders: 11
- Won by Chennai Super Kings: 19
- Tied: 00
- No Result: 00
- First-ever Fixture: April 26, 2008
- Most-recent Fixture: April 11, 2025
KKR vs CSK: Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
The team batting first has won four out of the five completed games at Eden Gardens this season, with an average first-innings score of 203. Although the pitch appeared to favor 200+ scores, concerns over rain persist, as it has been throughout the week. This is the same surface where Punjab Kings posted 201/4 in a washed-out game.
While the pitches have been favorable for batting this season, similar to recent years, there has been some grip for spinners in certain matches. This slight turn has allowed bowlers like Narine and Chakravarthy to make an impact. Conditions are expected to support aggressive batting once again.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings: Team News and Starting XI
Kolkata Knight Riders – Team News
KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit confirmed that Rinku Singh has recovered from the niggle he sustained against RR. Moeen Ali is likely to retain his role as the floater who bowls offspin. Russell’s batting position will be something to watch closely. No injuries have been reported within the KKR camp.
KKR’s spin duo, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, boast an excellent record against CSK’s middle-order. Only Shivam Dube and Sam Curran have managed strike rates above 100 against Chakaravarthy and Narine, respectively.
Kolkata Knight Riders – Starting XI
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Ajinkya Rahane (capt)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Moeen Ali
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Vaibhav Arora
Chennai Super Kings – Team News
CSK have brought in Urvil Patel as a replacement for the injured Vansh Bedi, and he could make his debut immediately. The Gujarat batter was the highest six-hitter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 and even scored a 28-ball century, the second-fastest in T20 cricket. However, as an opener, CSK will need to decide whether to give him a chance or stick with Shaik Rasheed. Vansh Bedi’s injury has ruled him out, and Patel has joined the squad as his replacement. Given Bedi’s anticipated debut, Patel might step in right away.
Ajinkya Rahane, KKR’s captain, has been their top run-scorer in the IPL so far. However, his performance against pace and spin differs significantly. He excels against pace, averaging 104.5 with a strike rate of 174.17, but struggles against spin, with an average of 16.86 and a strike rate of 114.56. With CSK’s spinners having taken 28 wickets this season, they may target Rahane early in the match.
Chennai Super Kings – Starting XI
- Ayush Mhatre
- Urvil Patel/Shaik Rasheed
- Sam Curran
- Dewald Brevis
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Shivam Dube
- MS Dhoni (capt & wk)
- Deepak Hooda
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Noor Ahmed
- Anshul Kamboj
- Matheesha Pathirana
KKR vs CSK: Players To Watch Out For
Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Ajinkya Rahane, the Mumbaikar, has been in great form during the powerplay, posting an impressive strike-rate of 185, which ranks as the third-best. He has also averaged 104.5 against pace.
However, he has struggled against spin, with a strike-rate of only 115 and an average of 16.9. In his last three outings, Rahane has been dismissed by Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Riyan Parag. If KKR wants to avoid a repeat of their middle-overs performance from the RR game, Rahane will need to improve his game against spin.
Ayush Mhatre (Chennai Super Kings)
Ayush Mhatre, another Mumbaikar and just 17 years old, played a brilliant knock for CSK against RCB, falling just six runs short of a century. His intent stood out, something CSK have struggled with this season, especially during the powerplay, where their run rate of 8.1 is the lowest among all teams.
Mhatre’s emergence is a silver lining, as he boasts a strike rate of 189 in the first six overs this season, the highest of all players (minimum 50 balls). The dimensions in Kolkata are similar to those in Bengaluru, and with confidence on his side, Mhatre could thrive.
KKR vs CSK: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and bat first
- Kolkata Knight Riders Powerplay Score: 60-70
- Kolkata Knight Riders Total: 200-215
- Match Result: Kolkata Knight Riders win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Chennai Super Kings win the toss and bowl first
- Chennai Super Kings Powerplay Score: 50-60
- Mumbai Indians Total: 185-200
- Match Result: Chennai Super Kings win the match
When and Where To Watch Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Indian Premier League 2025 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Wednesday, May 7, at the Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
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FAQs
KKR is fighting for playoff qualification, having won five matches, lost five, and had one no result. They need to win their remaining three games to stay in contention.
Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy have been exceptional, taking a league-best 31 wickets with the best economy rate of 7.6 this season.
Despite a tough season, CSK is using the last matches to develop young talent, with players like Urvil Patel showing promise.
Andre Russell’s recent form, combined with the consistent performances from Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, will be crucial for KKR’s success.
The 17-year-old Mhatre has been in sensational form, especially in the powerplay, with a strike rate of 189, the highest among all players.
