🏏IPL 2026: CSK vs KKR, 22nd Match,Chennai 14 Apr 7:30pm IST🏏

🏏IPL 2026: CSK vs KKR, 22nd Match, MACS, Chennai on 14/04/206 at 7:30PM IST🏏

Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians have 13 IPL titles between them. That's a mindboggling number given the tournament is only 18 years old. However, all three have already fallen behind four rounds into the season. The three of them occupy the last three spots and are desperate to get out of the rut. In KKR's case in particular, they also need to shed the burden of being the only winless team in the tournament so far. They had CSK for company in that regard until Saturday evening when the men in yellow ended their losing streak with an impressive win over Delhi Capitals.

In doing so, CSK may have also found a new pattern to succeed at their home venue where their recent record has been woeful. Pace at hard lengths was the way to go for five-time champions who had historically relied on spin at home turf for their success over the years. However, conditions have undergone a change and CSK do have the arsenal to thrive here again if the other pitches exhibit similar behaviour aiding good pace and bounce. CSK would have also been pleased with Sanju Samson's superlative century after his lean start in yellow. It will be interesting to see if they consider swapping Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ayush Mhatre in the batting order to utilize the fielding restrictions.

KKR on the other hand have looked impressive in patches without any of those moments translating into a win. A total of 220 wasn't enough against MI and a special knock from young Mukesh Choudhary denied them a maiden win. Sandwiched between those two games was a fixture against SRH, where they were outplayed and a rained out fixture against Punjab Kings in which they were rattled early before the teams walked off the field. Angkrish Raghuvanshi has impressed but lack of runs from Finn Allen and Cameron Green haven't helped. With well-documented issues in the bowling department following a few injuries and uncertainty still hanging around Varun Chakaravarthy's availability for this fixture, KKR will have their task cut out.

When: CSK vs KKR, IPL 2026, April 14 at 7:30 PM IST

Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

What to expect: Clear skies and a good batting surface once again. This contest will be played on a black soil surface.

Head to head: CSK 20 - 11 KKR. Since 2022, the two teams are even at 3-3.

Team Watch

Chennai Super Kings

Injuries/Unavailabilities: There is still no clear update on MS Dhoni's return to action. CSK may just prolong his absence now for at least one more game and stick to their winning combination.

Tactics & Matchups: If Varun CV is indeed fit to play this fixture, CSK's best bet against the spinner is Shivam Dube and to an extent Dewald Brevis. CSK will also have to back their pace pack against Cameron Green, as the Australian has a great record against both Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein.

Probable XII: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh

Kolkata Knight Riders

Injuries/Unavailabilities: Matheesha Pathirana has finally been declared fit. But it is unlikely that he will debut for his new franchise against his old one. Another key player with a Chepauk connection, Varun, was spotted training in the nets away from the main group. But whether KKR will rush him remains to be seen.

Tactics & Matchups: There is a case for KKR to use Sunil Narine as an opener again at least for this fixture given the presence of Akeal Hosein in the Powerplay. Narine is also an option again in the first six overs with the ball as well as he does possess a good record against Sanju Samson, having conceded only 66 runs off 82 balls he has bowled to him.

Probable XII: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Navdeep Saini, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora

Did you know?

- Ruturaj Gaikwad's dot-ball percentage since 2025 in T20 cricket is 38.4.

- In T20s since 2025, only Tim David (171.87) has a better strike rate than Dewald Brevis (170) in overs 7-15.

Hip hip hurray... Can't wait for the match to start...

Team KKR

In the spotlight: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane

Ruturaj Gaikwad is the captain, he is the anointed opener, but there are already murmurs around how much more effective Ayush Mhatre has been. It is unlikely CSK will be undermining their captain, but they will dearly love for Gaikwad to move up from the run-a-ball strike rate he has been going at.

Ajinkya Rahane is KKR's second-highest run-getter this year, he has gone at 155, which is impressive for a KKR batter, but he is not even in the 13 quickest openers this season. He has had a feisty interview or two questioning the intent of his detractors, but he will have to live with these question marks in a format that is rapidly moving towards even higher strike rates.

Stats: Mhatre at Gaikwad's heels

• Since the start of the last IPL, Mhatre has struck at 180 in the powerplay. In comparison, Gaikwad has practically dawdled along at 129, hitting only one boundary every five balls.
• Since 2023, Dhoni has captained CSK in 25 matches and Gaikwad in 23. Spinners have bowled 8.3 overs per match under Dhoni, and 6.3 under Gaikwad, taking double the wickets under Dhoni than under Gaikwad.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been KKR's best batter this IPL, but he is a slow starter, scoring only at 119 in his first 10 balls. In the next 10 balls, he has gone at nearly two a ball.

Pitch and conditions: One of the more evenly matched strips

Pitch no. 6 at Chepauk, on which this match will be played, has of late favoured teams batting first in night games. Of the last four IPL night matches on this particular surface, three have been won by the defending side. Still teams winning the toss have decided to chase. Excessive heat is building up in south India, and the conditions will test the players' conditioning.

Putting all my points on csk plz Jeet jana