Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are placed well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 with 4 wins in 6 games and are sitting at No. 3 in the points table. Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) also have some number of points but their net run rate (NRR) is better than CSK.
CSK didn’t start the tournament well as they lost their first game against Gujarat Titans. But they are now back to winning ways, especially in their fortress Chepauk. They won two home games as well as two away games, against their arch-rivals RCB and MI.
They won their last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad quite comfortably. CSK restricted SRH to a total of 134 and chased down a target with 7 wickets and 8 balls to spare. Devon Conway was brilliant in his 57 balls 77 with 12 fours and a six. His partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad sets the tone in a run chase. Gaikwad was unfortunate to get run out.
Today, we will preview the 33rd game in IPL 2023, which will be Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens.
Kolkata lost three games in a row
KKR is looking in disarray after the three consecutive losses against SRH, MI, and DC. After Rinku Singh’s heroics against Gujarat Titans (GT), KKR didn’t win any game.
In their last game against DC on a sluggish pitch, they fought well with a score of only 127, but DC got over the line in the end and register their first win of the tournament. David Warner led from the front with his half-century.
Now, KKR will lock horns against CSK in their home ground, Eden Gardens. KKR will need to sort things out quickly and they have a very good chance of doing it against CSK. They are playing at their home where spinners are not that effective. And CSK’s strength is their spinners. So KKR can negotiate that factor in Eden Gardens.
CSK, on the other hand, will look to continue their form and will take the confidence of those two away wins against RCB and MI. Let’s see the expected playing XI of both teams.
Expected playing XIs
Chennai Super Kings
It is unlikely that CSK will change their playing XI against KKR. They have a very good balance of pacers and spinners in their attack. And their batting looks sorted already.
CSK Predicted Playing XI-
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Singh, Matheesha Pathirana
Kolkata Knight Riders
The only change we can see is N Jagadeesan replacing Mandeep Singh. But it is also highly unlikely as they have just brought back Mandeep in the playing XI.
KKR Predicted Playing XI-
Jason Roy, Litton Das (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (c), Mandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Kulwant Khejroliya, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
KKR vs CSK : Pitch report
We saw a high-scoring encounter last time at this ground between SRH and KKR. The pitch is expected to be batting-friendly with the fast outfield adding value to the shots. You can expect a high-scoring encounter again in the 33rd game of IPL 2023.
Players to look for
Chennai Super Kings
Ruturaj Gaikwad
The way Ruturaj Gaikwad is playing, he will be eager to continue his good form against KKR. He was unfortunate to get run out in the last game.
Shivam Dube
The left-hander is hitting the ball well in the last few games. He will be key to giving a finishing touch to the team’s total.
Matheesha Pathirana
The pacer from Sri Lanka turned out to be a trump card in the death overs for CSK. He makes the job easier for the skipper in the death overs, as CSK is lacking an out n out-fast bowler in the death.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Jason Roy
KKR will expect the Englishmen to go big in the powerplay and give them a flying start along with Litton Das. Until now, their openers are struggling to get going despite using different opening pairs.
Varun Chakaravarthy
The mystery spinner has a good record against CSK, especially against MS Dhoni. He will be key for KKR in the middle overs as they rely on him to get wickets in that period.
IPL 2023- Match 33 IPL Match prediction:-
KKR is looking set to make a comeback in their home ground against CSK, where they can play to their strength. CSK struggled a bit in less spin-friendly conditions.
But you can never write off a team like CSK. After all, it is a game of uncertainty. Anyone can beat anyone on a given day.
