CSK vs KKR Live: Dhoni leads again in IPL 2025
Chennai Super Kings Face Kolkata Knight Riders Amidst Injury Challenges
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Chepauk on Friday, a match that carries significant weight for both teams in the IPL 2025 season. CSK, currently struggling with one win from five matches, will have to cope without their regular captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is sidelined for the season due to an elbow fracture. In a bid to turn their fortunes around, veteran MS Dhoni has stepped in as captain, reigniting hopes among fans that his leadership can spark a revival for the five-time champions.
CSK’s Recent Struggles and Tactical Adjustments
The Chennai Super Kings enter this crucial match on the back of a disappointing series of defeats, including an 18-run loss to the Punjab Kings in their last outing. Although CSK faced a challenging target of 219 runs, they showcased flashes of brilliance with the bat, offering a glimmer of hope ahead of the encounter against KKR. However, CSK has struggled to adapt to the pitch conditions at Chepauk this season, which has historically been a stronghold for the team. Head coach Stephen Fleming expressed his frustrations following a recent crushing defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, highlighting the unexpected challenges posed by their home ground.
To bounce back, CSK will need to quickly adjust to the altered conditions at Chepauk. The performance of their spin trio—Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Noor Ahmad—will be crucial as they aim to regain their dominance at a venue where they have historically excelled. The return of key players like Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Shivam Dube, all of whom displayed promising form in the previous match, adds to CSK’s chances of a much-needed victory.
Kolkata Knight Riders Seeking Redemption
The Kolkata Knight Riders approach the match against CSK with their own set of challenges. After suffering a narrow defeat to the Lucknow Super Giants just three days prior, KKR finds itself under pressure to secure a win, having achieved only two victories in five matches this season. The defending champions are aware that they need to rebound quickly to stay competitive in the playoff race.
In their last match, KKR’s bowlers faced significant challenges, which they will aim to rectify at Chepauk. The team’s batting lineup will rely heavily on experienced players such as Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine, captain Ajinkya Rahane, Andre Russell, and the promising Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Rinku Singh’s contributions will also be vital as KKR seeks to regain their momentum.
Current Standings and Squad Details
As the IPL season progresses, both teams find themselves in the lower half of the points table. CSK currently sits in ninth place with one win and four losses, while KKR holds the sixth position with two wins and three losses.
**Squads:**
**Chennai Super Kings:** MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Ravichandran Ashwin, Devon Conway, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Shaik Rashid, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Deepak Hooda, Gurjanpreet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishnan Ghosh, Shreyas Gopal, Vansh Bedi (wk), Andre Siddarth.
**Kolkata Knight Riders:** Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakaravarthy, Anrich Nortje, Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy, Luvnith Sisodia, Moeen Ali, Rovman Powell, Mayank Markande, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Chetan Sakariya.
The upcoming clash promises to be a critical encounter for both franchises as they strive to improve their standings in the IPL 2025 season.
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