KKR's must-win game against CSK to reach the playoffs   

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Varun Chakravarthy has odds of 3.45 to be Kolkata Knight Riders' best bowler 
• Noor Ahmed has odds of 3.80 to be Chennai Super Kings's best bowler 
• Kolkata Knight Riders have odds of 1.67 to be the best batter’s team  
• Chennai Super Kings have odds of 2.09 to be the best batter’s team  

MATCH PREVIEW     

We have reached the most crucial stage in the Indian Premier League 2025. The next few results will decide the Top 4 teams for the playoffs. The Kolkata Knight Riders have their fate hanging by a thin wire as they take on the Chennai Super Kings in the 57th game. The Kolkata Knight Riders defeated the Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling game to keep their hopes alive. They defeated CSK earlier in the season and shall start this game with higher odds. The Chennai Super Kings went down against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and the team is out of contention for the next round. The Knight Riders have struggled with their consistency, and it will be interesting to see if the Super Kings can spoil their party.   

Kolkata Knight Riders Preview      

Ajinkya Rahane’s team held onto its nerves in the last game against the Rajasthan Royals, winning by a solitary run. However, there are several questions about the team’s bowling attack as they almost threw away the last game with their poor bowling. The team will start with a slight edge on cricket betting sites as their opponents are in poor form. Rahane expects a strong show from his bowlers in this must-win game to keep hopes alive for the next round.  

Rahmanullah Gurbaz will look to deliver a good start with Sunil Narine, as CSK’s bowlers haven’t been at their best. Ajinkya Rahane must improve his strike rate at No. 3 and add runs with Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Moeen Ali in the middle order. Andre Rusell played a match-winning knock in the last game, and he must add quick runs in the lower middle order with Rinku Singh and Venkatesh Iyer.  

The bowling attack has struggled this year, and the team needs early strikes from Vaibhav Arora and Moeen Ali to unsettle the Chennai Super Kings’ batting. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy have bowled well this season, and they will look to do well in the middle overs. The team expects a good show from Harshit Ranna and Andre Russell in the supporting role.  

Expected Starting XI for Kolkata Knight Riders      

Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Moeen Ali, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana (Impact Player) 

Chennai Super Kings Preview     

It has been the worst season for the Chennai Super Kings. Not only has the team been the first one to be eliminated, but they have hardly put up a fight in any of their games. The team failed to hold onto its nerves in the last game against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, losing by 2 runs. MS Dhoni and his men will start behind in cricket betting apps and must play for their pride in this game. Dhoni must get the best out of his players in this game.  

Ayush Mhatre’s batting has been among the few positives for the team this season, and he must deliver a strong start in this game with Shaik Rasheed. Sam Curran must play an important role at No. 3 and add runs with Ravindra Jadeja and Dewald Brevis. MS Dhoni has struggled in the lower middle order, and he must add quick runs with Shivam Dube and Deepak Hooda.  

Khaleel Ahmed struggled in the last game, and the team needs early wickets from him and Anshul Kamboj. Noor Ahmed has been the team's only consistent bowler and will look to strike in the middle overs with Jadeja. The team expects Sam Curran and Matheesha Pathirana to keep up the pressure on the batters as they will come hard on them.  

Expected Starting XI for Chennai Super Kings     

MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ayush Mhatre, Shaik Rasheed, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Hooda, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Anshul Kamboj (Impact Player)  

TOSS: To Bat First      

The team batting first has won four out of five games at this venue this year. The wicket is good to bat on at the start but is slowing down in the second half and assisting the spinners. The team winning the toss would take note of the past results and look to bat first and have a big score on the board.   

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

There are predictions for slightly overcast skies over Kolkata, and we will have a warm and humid evening. The wicket will be flat, allowing batsmen to play their strokes freely. Spinners will enjoy bowling on this track as the ball stops occasionally on the batters. The side batting first will be happy to have 180 runs on the board.  

OUR PREDICTION      

The Chennai Super Kings are having a miserable season. Injuries and lack of form have hurt the team, and the confidence level is low in the camp. The side will look to put all that behind and play with a positive mind in this game. The Kolkata Knight Riders have a strong spin attack, and the players know the conditions well at this venue. We expect a close game, but the Knight Riders have an edge.  

Our prediction is for Kolkata Knight Riders to win