Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Date & Time: Wednesday, 7 May, 3:00 PM IST
Telecast: Live on star Sports
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Match Context:
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remain firmly in the playoff hunt, but with just a few games remaining, they must maintain a perfect run to secure qualification. Their strong net run rate provides a cushion, and recent back-to-back wins have boosted momentum at just the right time. Andre Russell’s return to form with the bat is a timely lift for the side.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), on the other hand, have endured a turbulent campaign. A narrow two-run loss to RCB has all but ended their playoff hopes. With that, they’ve started experimenting with their playing XI, possibly eyeing the future as they shuffle their lineup again.
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Team News:
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
Likely to retain a winning combination, KKR are expected to field Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the top, alongside Sunil Narine. Venkatesh Iyer and Russell anchor the middle order, while the spin-heavy attack could once again rely on Varun Chakravarthy and Narine for breakthroughs.
Probable XI: Gurbaz, Narine, Rahane, Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh, Russell, Rinku, Ramandeep, Moeen, Arora, Varun
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
CSK’s reshuffling continues, with Urvil Patel potentially opening the innings in place of the injured Vansh Bedi. The middle order may see further changes, with Deepak Hooda likely to make way. The focus will be on youngsters like Brevis and Rasheed, supported by experienced hands like Jadeja and Dhoni.
Probable XI: Urvil Patel, Mhatre, Rasheed, Curran, Jadeja, Brevis, Dhoni, Dube, Khamboj, Noor, Khaleel
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Pitch & Conditions:
Eden Gardens has been a batting paradise this season, with four of the six first innings breaching the 200-run mark. However, with the playoffs approaching, there’s speculation that worn pitches may begin to feature, which could slow the scoring. A fresh surface seems unlikely unless preserved for knockout stages.
The six-hitting frequency has been notable here, though recent totals suggest a slight tempering due to wear on the wicket.
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Players to Watch:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (KKR): Known for his explosive starts, Gurbaz has been inconsistent but is showing signs of rediscovering his rhythm. He remains a game-changer at the top.
Sunil Narine (KKR): A proven match-winner with the ball, Narine has a solid record against CSK and thrives on surfaces offering even a hint of spin.
Urvil Patel (CSK): The young keeper-batter made waves in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, smashing a 28-ball century and finishing with a staggering strike rate of 230. His promotion to the top could energize CSK’s innings.
Andre Russell (KKR): A resurgent Russell can tilt the game with either bat or ball, especially at a ground like Eden where his big hitting is tailor-made.
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Prediction:
Form and momentum are on KKR’s side, but inconsistency has occasionally marred their campaign. While CSK’s lineup is in flux, they possess enough X-factor to make it a close contest if they start strong. Expect an intense battle, especially if the pitch plays true to its recent high-scoring nature.
—kkr to win
