On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced off against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the iconic Eden Gardens in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) clash. KKR, led by captain Ajinkya Rahane, won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that could prove pivotal in their quest for a playoff spot.
The match marks a significant moment for both teams. KKR, currently sitting sixth on the points table with 11 points from 11 matches, is in a must-win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive. On the other hand, CSK, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention, are looking to finish the season on a high note. This match could also be a farewell for CSK's legendary captain MS Dhoni at this historic venue, raising questions about his future in the league.
"We will bat first. Looks a good wicket. Last two games we batted first and did really well. We want to put runs on the board and defend it," Rahane stated after the toss. He also mentioned the absence of Venkatesh Iyer due to injury, with Manish Pandey stepping in to fill the gap. Rahane emphasized the importance of taking one game at a time and focusing on the present rather than the future.
In contrast, Dhoni reflected on his deep connections with Eden Gardens. "I have played a lot of cricket here while growing up, like a home ground for the amount of cricket I have played here. What's important is to get answers for the next year. We are giving chances to players, but we want a good playing XI or XII," he remarked. The CSK captain also confirmed the return of Devon Conway to the lineup, along with Urvil Patel making his debut.
The playing XIs for the match were as follows:
Kolkata Knight Riders: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Chennai Super Kings: Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Devon Conway, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana.
The pitch at Eden Gardens has proven to be a challenging one, with square boundaries measuring 62m and 64m, and a straight boundary of 75m. Reports indicated that the surface looked tacky and could be two-paced, which might favor spinners as the match progresses. Historically, teams batting first have had success here, with four out of five completed games this season won by the team setting a target.
As the match commenced, KKR started their innings with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine opening the batting. Gurbaz began confidently with a cover drive for four, but his innings was cut short when he was caught out after launching a six over midwicket. The pressure was on KKR as they lost their first wicket early, leaving them at 5/1 in the first over.
Ajinkya Rahane came in at number three and quickly got off the mark. He hit a boundary and followed it with a couple of runs, showing intent to stabilize the innings. Sunil Narine, who was also opening, began to find his rhythm as he struck a few boundaries, including a six that lifted the spirits of the KKR fans.
By the end of the fifth over, KKR had reached 50 runs for the loss of one wicket, with Narine and Rahane building a steady partnership. Narine, in particular, was in fine form, flicking the ball to the square leg for four and then hitting a six over mid-off, showcasing his aggressive intent.
The match is set to be an exciting encounter, with KKR needing to capitalize on their batting first strategy to set a challenging target for CSK. With the stakes high for KKR and the possibility of Dhoni's last appearance in Kolkata, the atmosphere at Eden Gardens is electric.
As the game progresses, fans will be on the edge of their seats, hoping for a thrilling display of cricket from both teams. The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: this match is more than just a game; it's a battle for survival in the IPL for KKR and a chance for CSK to end their season on a positive note.
