The Twenty-first match of the tournament is going to be played at Abu Dhabi between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Head to Head
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have won 13 matches out of the total 21 matches played so far.
Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR) have won 7 matches while 1 match was abandoned.
In the last four meetings between them, CSK have won 3 matches out of the 4.
Squads
Top Players in CSK & KKR
KKR:
A Russell: He failed to take advantage of the small boundaries of Sharjah as the batsman in the previous game but was the pick of the bowlers for KKR in that game. He was the only bowler in the team to have an economy rate of fewer than 8 runs per over in that high scoring match.
D Karthik: Apart from his performance in the first match he has looked out of sort in this tournament. It is a very tricky situation for a captain to be in when he is not performing as a player alone.
S Narine: For some reason, S Narine has failed to perform consistently with the ball. Although he has also failed as the batsman that is understandable because if he clicks it is anyhow a bonus for KKR. He needs to get his act together and bowl well against CSK.
S Gill: The two matches that KKR won in this tournament he was the Man of the Match. Although he has been amongst the runs his strike rate of 117 is poor, he needs to improve that in future to be more effective in the shortest version of the game.
CSK:
MS Dhoni: He didn't get to bat against KXIP and he must be glad about it. So far in the tournament, he has played a couple of decent knocks at the end of the innings while chasing for his team but those knocks were mainly meaningless because in neither of those innings he looked good enough to win his team the match.
A Rayudu: He played a match-winning knock in the first match against MI but got out early in the match against SRH. So far it is 50:50 for him, he needs regularly fire with the bat for CSK if CSK is looking to make it to super four this year as well.
S Watson: He finally came to the party and what difference it makes if and when he clicks is unquestionable. He played a very solid knock against KXIP, CSK can breathe a sigh of relief now that he has returned to form.
Faf du Plessis: He has been exceptional, absolutely exceptional in this tournament. He stands second in the list of highest run-scorers this year and would move to the top if he scores 21 runs in this match. He has not only scored runs consistently but has scored at a strike rate of 150 which is excellent.
Likely Playing 11
Other players who can make an impact
E Morgan(KKR): He has scored at a very good strike rate for KKR and he has looked very dangerous whenever he has stepped in to bat. He could be promoted up in the order against CSK and if that happens he can take the attack on the opposition.
D Chahar(CSK): He was the most economical bowler in the match against KXIP. He was the only bowler on that day to concede less than run a ball in that match. He could play an important role if he can repeat his feat.
N Rana(KKR): As predicted in the preview of the previous match between KKR and DC he was the pick of the KKR batsmen in that match. He has looked solid throughout the tournament and if he can convert his solid starts into big innings it could immensely help his franchise.
On Paper and based on form CSK is a slight favourite in this match. KKR needs to pick up early wickets or else we have seen how dangerous CSK openers can be if they survive initial few overs.