🏏IPL 2025 - Match 57: KKR vs CSK on 7th May 2025 at Eden Gardens🏏

🏏IPL 2025 - Match 57: KKR vs CSK on 7th May 2025 at Eden Gardens @ 7:30🏏

Numbers don't always tell the right story, especially in a team sport like cricket. However, Kolkata Knight Riders' position on the points table-sixth with 11 points made up of five wins, five losses, and a no result-is a fair reflection of their campaign so far.

The defending champions have blown hot and cold and haven't really found the sort of momentum that they garnered during their title-clinching run last year.

As a result, they find themselves with the possibility of being eliminated even if they win all of their last three league games.

Not too long ago, 16 points appeared a safe marker to make it to the playoffs, but KKR could reach 17 and still be out of contention.

It speaks volumes of the competition levels this season, and it means that the Knight Riders have no room for errors. Their batting, notably against spin bowling, has been the major weakness for the side.

This has often muddled their middle overs progress, and big-ticket signing Venkatesh Iyer's lack of form has furthered their troubles.

Amidst all this, it's been their spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy that has pulled them through with the odd decent batting effort.

[Tag and Logo credit to Wildestdreams]

Andre Russell found form against RR and the all-rounder will need to fire all cylinders in the coming games if KKR are to have a chance to go deeper into the competition.

Unstable batting order, opening woes, middle overs muddle and some strange tactics have all played their part but KKR don't have time to make further mistakes.

They will be against a CSK side that has nothing to lose. In fact, the five-time champions have been using their last few games of the season to blood in the younger players and this game could be another opportunity for that.

It's been a season to forget for MS Dhoni and his men. The veteran had to make an unexpected comeback as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury during the initial phase of the season.

Unfortunately for his side, Dhoni couldn't produce the Midas touch known from him and the 43-year-old's personal form hasn't been great either with teams often using the spin matchup to tie him down in the end overs.

It has proved catastrophic to Dhoni and CSK, impacting several games including the recent loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The clichéd pride is at stake in these last three games but above that, the franchise will want to mould the youth who can take the side forward. The nothing-to-lose territory should help the rookies to express themselves, and it this unpredictability that could sting the Knight Riders if they make the mistake of complacency.

On form, KKR are the better side, although they haven't been at their dominant best. Apart from keeping their playoff hopes alive, this game will also be an opportunity for them to register their first-ever season double over CSK.

When: KKR vs CSK - Wednesday, May 7 at 7.30 PM IST

Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

What to expect: Pitches have been good for batting this season, as they have been in recent years. However, there has also been a bit of grip on offer for the spinners in some of the matches. Just enough for the likes of Narine and Chakaravarthy to hold fort. Expect more of the same with conditions likely to aid strokemaking once again.

Head to Head: KKR 11-19 CSK while KKR lead CSK 3-2 since 2022

The Eden Gardens pitch has generally been on the drier side this season, offering support to spinners, while fast bowlers have also found some assistance as the ball ages.

That said, there have been occasions when the surface favoured the batsmen, especially with the shorter square boundaries being targeted. The pitch's behavior often depends on the presence of dew, as it can hinder bowlers from exploiting the conditions fully.

In the last match played here between KKR and Rajasthan Royals, the pitch offered good help for spinners, and both teams' slow bowlers were able to capitalize. For the upcoming KKR vs CSK clash, the pitch is likely to behave similarly, providing an advantage to the spinners, given the strong spin attacks both teams possess.

However, there is also the possibility that the curator may prepare a more batting-friendly wicket, which could favor KKR, especially considering the current form of their batting lineup. • Winning Score at Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata (in IPL 2025) (excl. shortened matches)

◦ 1st Inns score 200 or above: Mts – 3, Bat 1st Won – 3, Bat 2nd Won – 0

◦ 1st Inns score less than 200: Mts – 2, Bat 1st Won – 1, Bat 2nd Won – 1

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will aim to extend their winning run and end their home campaign on a high with a victory over the struggling Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Under the inspirational leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, KKR has bounced back strongly from a tough phase, securing crucial wins against Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, keeping their hopes alive in the playoff race.

KKR’s confidence is bolstered by impressive performances, having posted two scores over 200. The explosive partnership of Andre Russell and Rinku Singh against Rajasthan Royals provided a significant boost. Rahane’s steady contribution and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s consistent form have been key. However, players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ramandeep Singh will be looking for better performances.

The bowling unit, featuring dependable players like Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, and Vaibhav Arora, has been instrumental in KKR’s success.

On the other hand, CSK, currently on a four-match losing streak, will be determined to break the run and seek redemption with a much-needed win against KKR.

Team watch

Kolkata Knight Riders

Injuries/Availability: No injuries have been reported from the KKR camp.

Tactics and Matchups: KKR's spin-duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy have a terrific record against CSK's middle-order, with only Shivam Dube and Sam Curran striking above 100 against Chakaravarthy and Narine respectively.

Probable XII: Sunil Narine, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Chennai Super Kings

Injuries/Availability: Vansh Bedi is the latest CSK player to be ruled out due to injury. Urvil Patel has been named as the replacement and has joined the squad. Given that Bedi was likely to debut sooner than later, Patel might get a go straightaway.

Tactics and Matchups: Ajinkya Rahane, KKR's captain, has been the leading run-scorer for his team so far in the IPL. But his numbers against pace and spin are very contrasting. He gets up and running against pace with an average of 104.5 and strikes at 174.17 but against the turning ball, it drops to 16.86 and 114.56 respectively. And with CSK's spinners having picked up 28 wickets so far this season, they could be unleashed early against Rahane.

Probable XII: Shaik Rasheed, Ayush Mhatre, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda/Urvil Patel, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj

Did You Know:

- Ayush Mhatre has hit three sixes in the PowerPlay for CSK so far while the rest of the CSK batters have hit five sixes in the PowerPlay across the season so far.

- Ravindra Jadeja registered his highest T20 score in CSK's previous game against RCB of 77

- KKR have taken the most wickets through their spinners (31) across this IPL season.

What they said

"When I look at the scorecard and I see five overs, I see 30 balls and think if I can face 15 off those balls, I can get 40 runs with my power." - Andre Russell speaks about his mindset under pressure.

"We need to practice more yorkers. More often than not, when the batters start to connect, you have to rely on yorkers. " - MS Dhoni wants his bowlers to execute the tough art.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings will travel to Eden Gardens in Kolkata for the match 57 to face the hosts Kolkata Knight Riders, led by Ajinkya Rahane, for the clash on Wednesday. While the result might not have much of an impact in CSK’s campaign but it is a huge season decider for KKR.

KKR vs CSK weather prediction

According to the Accuweather app, the temperature for the game on Wednesday can go as high as 37 degrees Celsius in the daytime. However, things become a lot cooler in the evening, reaching 27 degrees Celsius.