IPL 2021: KKR vs CSK - Match Preview and Probable Playing XI

On a roll after back-to-back wins, the vintage Chennai Super Kings would look to extend their winning run when they clash with struggling Kolkata Knight Riders in their next IPL match on Wednesday.

Chennai Super Kings

After their abject campaign in UAE last year, the CSK started the season in an ominous fashion, losing to Delhi Capitals by seven wickets in a one-sided affair. But since then, the MS Dhoni-led side has come on its own with the 'Captain Cool' making the most of his resources at the batting-friendly Wankhede stadium.

Deepak Chahar's brilliance handed them their first win of the season against Punjab Kings and it's been a tale of two Englishmen - Moeen Ali and Sam Curran for the CSK. Explosive all-rounder Ali has embraced the number three spot with knocks of 36 from 24 (vs Delhi Capitals), 46 off 31 (Punjab Kings), and 26 off 20 in his match-winning show against Rajasthan Royals on Monday. He is also quietly doing the job with his off-spin with Dhoni cleverly bringing him in the mix in the non-friendly conditions here.

In their chase of 189, Jos Buttler had started to look ominous and sent a good-length ball from Ravindra Jadeja into the stands as the ball had to be replaced. Well aware that the dry ball would turn more than the dew-laden wet ball, Dhoni stepped up his attack with Jadeja and Ali from both ends. While Jadeja dismissed the dangerous-looking Buttler and Shivam Dube in one over, Ali accounted for David Miller, Riyan Parag, and Chris Morris in his match-turning 3/7.

The only bright spot of their abysmal campaign in UAE, youngster Sam Curran has also made some impact both with the bat and ball. Be it his 15-ball 34 in a losing cause against Delhi Capitals, or his bowling in the Powerplay, Curran is giving Dhoni many options. Against a side that will play its first match of the season at the Wankhede, smarting from two successive defeats, the Dhoni-led CSK will start as overwhelming favourites against KKR as Eoin Morgan is all set to ring in some changes to revive their campaign.

Chennai Super Kings Playing XI:

Robin Uthappa, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C and WK), Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.

Kolkata Knight Riders

After their emphatic start against Sunrisers Hyderabad, KKR have slipped to the fifth spot with defeats to Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. And in both the defeats, the Morgan-led side had the upper hands but could not capitalize on their starts.

Varun Chakravarthy had dismissed Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar in five balls to have RCB in a spot with 9/2 inside two overs. But in a bizarre decision, Morgan took the mystery spinner out of the attack and brought in Shakib-Al-Hasan as Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers powered them to 204/4.

It remains to be seen if Morgan persists with Shakib or brings in seaming Aussie all-rounder Ben Cutting in the less spin-friendly conditions. Morgan has also persisted with the veteran Harbhajan Singh and gave him the opening overs in all three matches so far. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav could be a better option.

Head coach Brendon McCullum has already hinted at making some changes after their 38-run defeat to RCB.

Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI:

Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Ben Cutting, Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Harbhajan Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna

KKR vs CSK: Venue and Match Details

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Date: 21st April 2021

Time: 7:30 PM IST

KKR vs CSK: Live Streaming

The match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also stream the match live on Disney+ Hotstar.