Match Details
Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Wednesday, 07th October
16:00 SA Time
IPL 2020: Match 21- KKR vs CSK Preview, Prediction, Probable Playing XI and Value Bets.
Preview
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a much anticipated encounter in the 21st match of IPL 2020. The two IPL giants have both looked off-colour this season but are finding their form. Both have won two matches each thus far. CSK have lost three games as compared to KKR’s two losses. In the 22 matches played against each other, CSK have the upper hand winning 14 while KKR eight.
After a disappointing start to their season against MI, KKR came back strong winning back to back games. However, they were thrashed in their fourth game against Shreyas Iyer’s clinical DC. Chasing a mammoth total of 228, KKR never looked like winning except after late fireworks by Eoin Morgan and Rahul Tripathi. KKR’s management has once again come under scrutiny for their irrational batting line-up. Tripathi, who is a specialist opener, was sent in at number 8 when the asking rate was above 20.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals started off with a bang, winning two high-scoring games in Sharjah. However, once they moved out of Sharjah, they have struggled. The 2008 IPL champions have lost two games on the bounce and seem to be wobbling at the moment. Their batting is a bit top-heavy. The RR bowling has blown hot and cold and they will want more consistency. At the moment, they are fifth on the points table with four points from as many games (two wins and two losses).
Overall, the head to head record between MI and RR is neck and neck. Both teams have won 10 games each.
Injury and Availability News
None.
Probable Playing XI
Kolkata Knight Riders
Sunil Naraine, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik ( c&wk), Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan, Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy
Chennai Super Kings
Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni ( c&wk ), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Sam Curran, Piyush Chawla, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar
Key Players to watch out for
Shubman Gill: One of the stars of the world cup winning U-19 squad of 2018, Shubman has cemented his place in the KKR side. He’s been KKR’s most consistent batsman this season amassing 152 runs in his four matches. He has been the key to KKR’s victories and their pillar in the batting line-up thus far and will look to continue his terrific form and get more runs off his bat.
Faf du Plessis: CSK’s best batsman this season, Faf has scored 282 runs in his 5 games with an average of 94.00 and a staggering strike rate of 150.00. He is also the second highest run-getter this season behind KL Rahul. His contributions with the bat have been instrumental in CSK’s victories and he will be depended upon yet again for solid start to the innings and some quick runs in the powerplay making him a key player to watch out for.
Ambati Rayudu: Rayudu’s services were missed immensely in the last couple of matches that CSK lost so terribly and his inclusion to the side gives CSK’s middle order its much needed strength. Rayudu had looked in fine form in their season opener against MI scoring a blistering knock of 71 runs and he would like to carry that form forward and help his side register yet another win.
Value Bets
Kolkata Knight Riders
Shubman Gill to be KKR’s top batsman at
Pat Cummins to be KKR’s top bowler at
Chennai Super Kings
Faf du Plessis to be CSK’s top batsman at
Sam Curran to be CSK’s top bowler at