Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Chennai Super Kings in the 57th match of the Indian Premier League 2025 on Wednesday, May 7, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This clash is crucial for KKR, who are clinging to a slim chance of making the playoffs after a nail-biting one-run victory over Rajasthan Royals just days earlier. Meanwhile, CSK, already eliminated from playoff contention, will aim to restore some pride after a close defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In their last outing, KKR managed to secure a thrilling win against Rajasthan Royals, defending a total of 206 runs with some heroics in the final overs. Andre Russell was the star of the show, smashing an impressive 57 not out off just 25 balls, while contributions from Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (35), and Ajinkya Rahane (30) helped set a challenging target. The Knight Riders’ bowlers held their nerve to clinch the victory, defending just three runs in the final over.
On the other hand, CSK faced a heartbreaking defeat against RCB, falling short by just two runs despite valiant efforts from Ayush Mhatre, who scored 94 runs, and Ravindra Jadeja, who added 77 runs to the total. The five-time champions controlled the middle overs but were undone by Romario Shepherd's explosive 53 not out, which helped RCB post a total that proved just beyond CSK's reach.
Today's match will see KKR looking to capitalize on their recent form, having won two of their last three matches, while CSK will be focused on testing their bench strength and preparing for the next season. The surface at Eden Gardens has historically favored batters, often producing scores exceeding 200, so fans can expect another high-scoring affair.
In terms of head-to-head records, KKR and CSK have faced each other 30 times in the IPL, with CSK winning 19 of those encounters compared to KKR's 11 wins. However, KKR will draw confidence from their recent victory over CSK by eight wickets in April 2025, and they are favored to win this matchup as well. With a victory today, KKR could leapfrog into the playoff race, potentially leveling their points with Delhi Capitals at 13.
In terms of team news, CSK has made a change in their squad, bringing in Urvil Patel to replace the injured Vansh Bedi. Patel will be looking to make an immediate impact as he steps into the playing XI. MS Dhoni, who missed the last practice session, is expected to lead the team despite concerns over his fitness.
As for KKR, they remain injury-free heading into this match, and their star performers will be crucial in determining the outcome. Ajinkya Rahane has been a standout player for KKR this season, scoring 327 runs at an average of 36.33. However, his performance against spin bowling has been a concern, as he averages just 16.86 against spinners. This could play into CSK's strategy as they aim to exploit this weakness.
Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy are expected to play pivotal roles for KKR, as they have consistently troubled CSK's middle-order batters. With only Shivam Dube and Sam Curran managing to maintain strike rates above 100 against these spinners, CSK will need to find ways to counter their effectiveness.
As the match approaches, fantasy cricket enthusiasts will be keen to finalize their Dream11 teams. Key picks include KKR's Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ajinkya Rahane, alongside CSK's Ayush Mhatre and Ravindra Jadeja. Given the pitch conditions, selecting quality spinners and explosive hitters for the death overs will be crucial for a successful fantasy lineup.
The weather forecast for the match day indicates a 55% chance of rain, which could impact play. The temperature is expected to range between 27°C and 36°C, adding to the challenges faced by the players on the field.
With both teams having everything to play for—KKR for survival in the tournament and CSK for pride—fans can expect a thrilling contest. As the action unfolds at Eden Gardens, the stakes couldn't be higher for KKR, who must seize this opportunity to keep their playoff dreams alive.
