Match Prediction – CSK vs KKR, 1st Match IPL 2022 – Who Will Win Today’s Match?
Chennai Super Kings will be up against Kolkata Knight Riders in the first match of IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The two sides also contested the final of IPL 2021 where Chennai Super Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders to win their fourth Indian Premier League title.
Chennai Super Kings are arguably the most successful and consistent franchise in the history of the Indian Premier League title. They’ve qualified for the playoffs of the IPL in every season (not including 2016 and 2017 when they were banned) except IPL 2020. The MS Dhoni-led brigade has played a record nine IPL finals, winning four trophies.
CSK had a great IPL 2021 campaign as well. They brushed aside the failures of the previous season and finished second in the league table, having won nine of their 14 matches. They finished with 18 points to their name. In the playoffs, Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals to directly book their passage to the final. In the final of IPL 2021, CSK thumped KKR by 27 runs to lift the prestigious title once again.
Chennai Super Kings have also had a decent IPL 2022 mega auction where they’ve retained or re-signed most of the core that starred for them in the previous season.
Kolkata Knight Riders had a sensational resurgence in the second-half of IPL 2021. They were languishing in the lower-half of the table after the first leg in India but a completely renovated approach from the Knights not only saw them qualifying for the playoffs, but also secured their third IPL final appearance.
KKR fell one step short of winning their third title in 2021 against CSK. They have had a mixed auction and although they’ve brought in quite a few stars, the team has made a mess of quite a few departments. They will also be under new leadership this season with Shreyas Iyer being appointed as the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders. It will be interesting to see whether they can repeat their heroics from last season and remain competitive.
Chennai Super Kings have a significant advantage in head-to-head record between the two teams. Having played 26 matches, CSK have won 17 matches while KKR have only managed eight victories.
Head-to-head record
Wins
: Chennai Super Kings 17, Kolkata Knight Riders 8
Last 5 matches:
Chennai Super Kings 4, Kolkata Knight Riders 1
Who will win today’s match – Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 1
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Kolkata Knight Riders were unable to defeat Chennai Super Kings even once in IPL 2021. CSK will also have the psychological advantage going into the fixture as they had defeated the Knight Riders in the all-important IPL final last season. MS Dhoni’s side have also had a more productive IPL mega auction compared to KKR and the difference in personnel could also prove to be a factor. Expect CSK to begin their title defence on a winning note.
Game changers for Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 1
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Chennai Super Kings will be without the services of England all-rounder Moeen Ali who will miss the first IPL match due to VISA issues. In his first year with CSK last season, Moeen fit like a glove and proved to be a superstar. Chennai Super Kings will also miss frontline pace bowler Deepak Chahar for a major chunk of the season. Chahar was one of the highest-paid acquisitions in the IPL 2022 mega auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders, meanwhile, will have to make do without the services of Aaron Finch and Pat Cummins. Both the Australian players are currently in Pakistan and will not be available for the first five matches of IPL 2022. This could pose a significant problem for the franchise.
CSK to Win, Andre Russel Hit a Six, Sunil Narine to Take a Wicket @6.00
Ravindra Jadeja is expected to wreak havoc with the ball in hand for Chennai Super Kings. Jadeja picked up 13 wickets for CSK last season after an average IPL 2020 campaign. The left-armer is known to raise his game against Kolkata Knight Riders and will be expected to do the same here.
Who will win today’s man of the match?
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu will be in contender for the man of the match award from the Chennai Super Kings camp. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell are also expected to be in the running as far as Kolkata Knight Riders are concerned.
Who will be the best batsman for Chennai Super Kings?
Ruturaj Gaikwad proved to be the star of the show for CSK last season and was one of the most important players behind their success. He scored 635 runs in only his second IPL season to win the Orange Cap. Gaikwad was consistent throughout the season and CSK will be counting on him heavily here.
Who will be the best batsman for Kolkata Knight Riders?
Venkatesh Iyer’s emergence was one of the major reasons behind Kolkata Knight Riders’ resurgence in the second leg of IPL 2021. In 10 matches, he scored 370 runs at an average of over 41 and also managed four half-centuries. Iyer has since gone on to debut for India and is becoming a key component of the white-ball side.
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