If there was ever a game that’s always lived up to expectations, it’s CSK vs KKR.
A last-ball thriller saw MS Dhoni’s side snag a late win and moved CSK back to the first spot on the IPL points table.
Ravindra Jadeja was the star for the team from Southern India, smashing Prasidh Krishna for 20 runs in four balls in the penultimate over, tipping the scales in favour of CSK.
With only four runs needed off the final over, it looked like CSK had the game in the bag. But courtesy of Sunil Narine’s bowling, the match dragged on until the final ball. Deepak Chahar kept his nerves about him and scored the winning run.
Chennai Super Kings Innings
Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, and MS Dhoni were all dismissed within a space of six balls
But Jadeja crushed KKR’s hopes in the 19th over, with a pair of sixes followed by two fours
CSK return to the top of table, level on points with DC (16), but ahead on net run rate
Kolkata Knight Riders Innings
KKR benefitted from CSK’s weak bowling before Shardul Thakur struck twice
Dinesh Karthik managed a superb cameo with 26 off 11 balls
Andre Russell smashed Sam Curran with the bat, but failed to provide any help with the ball
Team Lineup
Chennai Super Kings
Kolkata Knight Riders
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Faf du Plessis
Moeen Ali
Ambati Rayudu
Suresh Raina
MS Dhoni
Ravindra Jadeja
Sam Curran
Shardul Thakur
Deepak Chahar
Josh Hazlewood
Venkatesh Iyer
Shubman Gill
Rahul Tripathi
Eoin Morgan
Nitish Rana
Andre Russell
Dinesh Karthik
Sunil Narine
Lockie Ferguson
Prasidh Krishna
Varun Chakravarthy
CSK vs KKR sees two teams in form. Can KKR continue?
Fun88 Betting
Match Prediction – CSK vs KKR, 38th Match IPL 2021 – Who Will Win Today’s Match?
Two in-form teams Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) battle it out in match number 38 of this 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both teams have had two wins in a row since the IPL 2021 restarted in the UAE.
Both of CSK’s wins have been come-from-behind of sorts. They were reduced to 24/4 at the end of the powerplay against Mumbai Indians (MI) and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 88 propelled them to 156 before the bowlers came to the party. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were 90/0 in the first 10 overs before the CSK bowlers pulled things back beautifully to restrict Virat Kohli and co to just 156. Nice contributions from each of the top four set up the chase to help the MS Dhoni-led side move to the top of the points table once again. They now have seven wins from nine matches and another win will seal a spot in the playoffs for CSK.
On the other hand, KKR had a wretched first half where they could muster a mere two wins from seven games. However, they have come storming back. The Eoin Morgan-led side beat RCB comprehensively before getting the better of their nemesis and defending champions MI. KKR’s batting has seen some refreshing change with Venkatesh Iyer at the top and Shubman Gill’s intent has risen as well. Their experienced and fiery middle-order is yet to get a proper hit in this second half. Meanwhile, it is the bowlers who set up both the games and will continue to remain the key.
CSK are a side that don’t make many changes and they are unlikely to make one for this game either. They’ve gone two games with the same XI and it is most probably going to be three in a row for the same XI.
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR seem a pretty settled unit at the moment and will most probably play the same XI that won against MI.
Predicted XI
Chennai Super Kings:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood
CSK openers
: One of the big reasons for CSK’s success this season has been their top-order and their openers, in particular, have been top-notch. Both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis have been very consistent, both as a pair and individually as well. Both batters have amassed in excess of 300 runs in this 2021 season and are looking in extremely solid touch. Gaikwad has got 322 runs at an average of 40.25 and is striking at 136.44. Meanwhile, du Plessis has scored 351 runs and averages 40.14 while striking at 140.96 in this tournament. Hence, the CSK openers will once again be the key.
Varun Chakravarthy
: Varun Chakravarthy has been very impressive over the last couple of seasons. The Tamil Nadu mystery spinner returned with 17 wickets at an economy rate of 6.85 in the 2020 season. In this edition, he has picked up 10 wickets and has conceded runs at an economy rate of 7.06. Since the resumption of the second half, Chakravarthy has had figures of 3/13 and 0/22 in the two games. With CSK’s middle-order loaded with excellent players of spin, the match-up against Chakravarthy, especially in the back half of the innings will be very interesting.
For more information, check the Fun88 Betting
CSK vs KKR Prediction
and head-to-head analysis.
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