Both Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders started the UAE leg of the 2021 IPL with matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. Both teams have won both matches.
The earlier match of this season between these two sides was a high-scoring encounter. More than 400 runs were scored as Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Chahar ensured a CSK victory despite late charges from Andre Russell and Pat Cummins.
The Chennai seniors and youngsters have provided them an ideal balance this season, helping them to remain close to the top. Experienced players like M.S. Dhoni, Du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo have combined with youngsters like Gaikwad are getting them the results they require.
The competition for a place in the first eleven is clearly visible for CSK as even Sam Curran has found it difficult to fit into the first XI thanks to Bravo’s form. Bravo, fresh from CPL success, contributed in both matches with bat and ball and also had a Player-of-the-Match award against RCB. Chahar was virtually unplayable in the last match between these two teams, and his opening overs against Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill will be crucial for this game.
In the last two matches, Kolkata’s approach changed with the inclusion of Iyer, who provided them with a blast at the top. Iyer had a great start to his IPL career, scoring 94 runs in two matches at above 160. KKR will be slightly concerned about their captain Eoin Morgan’s form. However, with Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik, and Sunil Narine down the order, their batting looks sorted.
The bowling is dependent on their spin duo of Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, and Lockie Ferguson has not let the absence of Pat Cummins being felt. His pace has added an extra dimension to their attack.
Likely XIs
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, M.S. Dhoni (c & wk), Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Jos Hazlewood
Kolkata Knight Riders: Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (c), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Spinners from both teams are expected to play key roles
- Russell and Bravo also should be popular picks
- Gaikwad is in great form and should be a must-have in a fantasy team
Blitzpools Fantasy XI
MS Dhoni; Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer; Andre Russell (VC), Ravindra Jadeja; Deepak Chahar, Varun Chakravarthy, Lockie Ferguson
