As dawn broke over the Chepauk suburb in Chennai, there was an unmistakable buzz in the air. The MA Chidambaram Stadium, a revered arena for cricket fanatics, was swarmed by eager ticket holders anticipating the IPL 2023’s last league game in the city. The fever pitch was further fueled by the looming uncertainty about MS Dhoni’s playing future, adding an extra layer of excitement to the impending clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
CSK, a fixture in the playoffs and a strong contender for one of the two slots, were diligently preparing for the upcoming match. Despite the tournament’s grueling schedule, the team was spotted honing their skills at the nets, reflecting their unyielding commitment. A win in the next two games will seal their 12th final-four appearance, and a clean sweep could set up a double shot at the championship title.
On the other hand, KKR’s journey to the playoffs is not as straightforward. Their hopes were considerably dented after a sobering defeat to the Rajasthan Royals. Now, their fate hangs in the balance, and another loss could spell the end of their tournament. Despite a rocky start to the season, the two-time champions are holding onto the hope of a miracle, especially at the venue that first ignited their championship dreams over a decade ago.
The encounter is scheduled for Sunday, May 14, 19:30 IST at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The weather promises a balmy evening with the slightest chance of rain, unlikely to disrupt the match. The pitch, however, may have a different story to tell. The soaring temperatures have started to impact the playing conditions, with the pitch taking more turns lately. This could work in favor of KKR, known for their trio of spinners.
In terms of head-to-head, CSK has a comfortable lead of 18-9 over KKR. This includes the triumph in their latest encounter where CSK racked up a formidable 235 runs, the second-highest total of the season.
As the teams gear up for the face-off, some key players and match-ups come into focus. Deepak Chahar of CSK has been regaining his form, notably taking crucial wickets in the power play. His track record against KKR’s captain, Nitish Rana, is impressive, giving him an edge in their upcoming encounter.
For CSK, the likely line-up includes Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, and Matheesha Pathirana.
KKR, dealing with a minor injury to Umesh Yadav, is counting on their spinners. Sunil Narine has had the upper hand against Ajinkya Rahane, and Varun CV has managed to outfox Dhoni in their past encounters. KKR’s probable XI includes Jason Roy, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana/Umesh Uadav, Suyash Sharma, and Varun CV.
Despite the different paths they’ve taken this season, both teams boast impressive records. Andre Russell of KKR has been a consistent performer against CSK, and both teams rank high for the most sixes hit in IPL.
