After the first three days of the 11th edition of Indian Premier League, we have already witnessed some enthralling games. As we approach into the fourth day of the tournament its time for two top-notch teams- Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings to lock horns against each other at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
However, Both teams have begun their campaign with a win respectively. But, for CSK, it wasn’t really an easy task. In the curtain-raiser against defending champions Mumbai Indians on April 7, CSK clinched a nail-biter by one wicket.
They stuttered through most part of the run chase before Dwayne Bravo’s brilliant cameo of 68 off just 30 deliveries helped CSK seal an improbable victory from the jaws of defeat.
This way the best I have seen Bravo bat for a long time. On the other hand, it was a relatively comfortable victory for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening encounter against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Dinesh Karthik-led side clinched the match by four wickets at their home base Eden Gardens.
The victory was orchestrated by a sensational 17-ball half-century from the blade of Sunil Narine. Yet again the pinch hitter proved his worth at the top of the batting order.
Eventually, it was captain Dinesh Karthik who played a sensible knock and ensured KKR reached the victory target with seven balls to spare.
The bowlers went for a few runs but a brilliant bowling change in the form of Nitish Rana turned the scales in favour of the Knight Riders.
The part-time bowler Rana bagged the prized wickets of AB de Villiers and skipper Virat Kohli in successive deliveries which stemmed the run flow for Bangalore.
Courtesy a breezy knock of 39 of mere 18 deliveries by Mandeep Singh, the Bangalore franchise posted a commendable 176 on the board.
Team Combinations –
Chennai Super Kings:
The injury suffered to Kedar Jadhav in the previous encounter has left a hole in the middle-order to be filled. In all likelihood, it seems that Murali Vijay might return in his place. On the other hand, Ambati Rayudu who opened in the first encounter goes down the batting order.
Makings his debut, Mark Wood was smashed for 48 runs in his four-over quota. The young Proteas pacer Lungisani Ngidi might take his place in today’s encounter.
Harbhajan Singh didn’t bowl pretty well in the first match. With Dhoni’s inclination towards wrist spinners, there might be a possibility that Karn Sharma comes in his place.
However, it is still not certain whether CSK would employ the changes so early in the tournament.
Predicted XI: Shane Watson, Murali Vijay/N Jagadeesan, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh/Karn Sharma, Mark Wood/Lungi Ngidi, Deepak Chahar, Imran Tahir
Kolkata Knight Riders:
KKR are unlikely to tinker with the combination given the fact that they defeated a much fancied Royal Challengers Bangalore side in their first game.
Hence, the Under-19 trio of Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, and Shubman Gill will have to wait for longer. KKR performed quite brilliantly in the opening encounter. They would look to carry their form through the rest of the tournament.
Match Prediction:
It will be a mouth-watering contest on our hands. Both teams have some good names in their line-up.
However, Kolkata Knight Riders are seemingly going to be the more likely team to win their second encounter. But you can’t miss out the Chennai Super Kings’ brigade either, as they have been a champion team for years.
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