CSK vs KKR Match Prediction: Who will win today's IPL 2024 match?
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) haven't had fun travels in IPL 2024.
After a two-game winning run at home to start their new era under Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Men in Yellow embarked on a two-match road trip to Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad. They lost both games and will now rely on the familiarity of the Chepauk to return to the win column.
Unfortunately for the Super Kings, they will be up against one of the best teams in IPL 2024. The Kolkata Knight Riders have been rampant, with three wins in as many games, and easily the best net run rate in the competition. They also have the resources to challenge the home side on all fronts.
The recent head-to-head record between the two sides is fairly even, with CSK winning three of their last five games. Of course, they also won the IPL 2021 final, which had many of the players who will feature on Monday, April 8.
Can CSK make it three out of three at home and hand KKR their first defeat of the tournament, or will the visitors leap atop the IPL 2024 standings?
IPL 2024, CSK vs KKR: Chennai look to get back to winning ways at home
Ruturaj Gaikwad has come under fire for his intent at the top of the order, which arguably cost CSK their last game against the SunRisers Hyderabad. The Chennai skipper needs to find a way to get off the blocks quicker, and Rachin Ravindra firing at the other end will help.
Mitchell Starc picked up two wickets in the previous game but hasn't been the potent threat KKR would've expected him to be. Vaibhav Arora is a dangerous new-ball bowler, though, and the Super Kings will need to be careful.
CSK's chances could hinge entirely on whether Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman are available for selection. Both fast bowlers missed out on the SRH clash due to different reasons, and if they are back, the home side will have some teeth in the bowling unit.
Without Pathirana and potentially Mustafizur, it's difficult to see Chennai being able to contain the power-packed KKR batting lineup featuring names like Andre Russell and Rinku Singh. The top order is in good form as well and could welcome the prospect of facing the out-of-sorts Deepak Chahar in the powerplay.
Nevertheless, if Gaikwad has his premier pacers to call upon, CSK could bank on their superior understanding of the conditions to beat a KKR side that arguably doesn't have enough teeth in the pace department. If the Chennai top order can give the team a good start, they could have the necessary platform to go big against the spinners in the middle overs.
This prediction is completely contingent on whether Pathirana is fit for the encounter. If he is, CSK might pull off an upset against KKR, who are easily the favorites heading into the clash. If the Sri Lankan is absent, though, the away side could take two points away from Chennai.
Prediction: CSK to win Match 22 of IPL 2024