Boxer Chandni Mehra

KKR vs CSK Live Score, IPL 2025: Rahane opts to bat

KKR vs CSK Live Score, IPL 2025: In Match 57 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025), defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) host Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Eden Gardens in their final home game of the season. With KKR fighting for an IPL playoff spot and CSK already eliminated, this clash carries contrasting stakes. With rain predicted before the match, KKR would be worried. Rain has already knocked Sunrisers Hyderabad out of the playoff race.

Match Details

  • Match: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings, Match 57, IPL 2025
  • Date & Time: May 7, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
  • Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
  • Live Broadcast/Streaming: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar

KKR vs CSK Match Preview

KKR, sitting sixth with 11 points from 11 games, face a do-or-die scenario in their quest for the IPL 2025 playoffs. Their recent one-run victory over Rajasthan Royals showcased resilience, with Andre Russell’s explosive 57 and Sunil Narine’s crucial bowling keeping their hopes alive. However, KKR’s inconsistent middle order and reliance on spinners like Varun Chakravarthy (15 wickets this season) remain concerns.

Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership and Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s form (285 runs in 10 innings) provide stability, but they need contributions from Venkatesh Iyer and Rahmanullah Gurbaz to secure a must-win game. KKR’s spin-heavy attack will likely exploit Eden Gardens’ conditions, but their pacers have struggled at home, with an economy rate of 11.1.

CSK, languishing at the bottom with three wins in 11 matches, are out of playoff contention but not lacking motivation. Their narrow two-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru highlighted their fighting spirit, with Ravindra Jadeja’s career-best 77 showing their depth. MS Dhoni’s leadership remains a rallying point, though CSK’s batting has lacked cohesion, particularly in the powerplay.

Shivam Dube’s 106 runs in five games and Noor Ahmad’s 11 wickets offer hope, but their bowlers, including Khaleel Ahmed, have been inconsistent. CSK’s earlier meeting with KKR this season ended in a crushing eight-wicket defeat, where Narine’s all-round brilliance (44 runs, 3/13) dominated. At Eden Gardens, CSK will aim to disrupt KKR’s playoff push, banking on spinners like Jadeja and Noor to counter KKR’s batting.

With historical head-to-head favoring CSK (19 wins to KKR’s 11 in 31 matches), this game promises intrigue. KKR’s playoff dreams hinge on precision, while CSK play for pride, making this a battle of contrasting narratives.

Recent Form

KKR (W W NR L L)

KKR have been inconsistent but showed resilience in their recent home win against Rajasthan Royals. Sunil Narine (671 runs, 72 wickets at Eden Gardens) and Varun Chakaravarthy (15 wickets this season) are key performers, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi (285 runs in 10 innings) is in fine form. Andre Russell’s all-round contributions have been vital.

Chennai Super Kings (L L L L W)

CSK have struggled, losing four straight before a narrow defeat to RCB. Shivam Dube (247 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (243 runs, recent 77 vs RCB) have been bright spots, but their top order, including Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, has been inconsistent. Noor Ahmad (11 wickets) remains a threat.

Eden Gardens Pitch Report

The Eden Gardens pitch typically favors batsmen, with the previous game here witnessing over 400 runs. However, it also depends on the surface. Of late, pitches have been slow and with rain predicted, it is likely to be a bowlers’ contest. Spinners may find grip in the middle overs.

Kolkata Weather Report

On May 7, 2025, Kolkata is expected to have clear skies with temperatures around 30°C and moderate humidity. There’s no significant rain forecast, ensuring an uninterrupted match.

Predicted Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora

Impact Players: Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell

Chennai Super Kings: Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel/Shaik Rasheed, Sam Curran, Dewald Brevis, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Deepak Hooda, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana

Impact Players: Anshul Kamboj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jamie Overton

Squads

Chennai Super Kings Squad

Ayush Mhatre, Shaik Rasheed, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, MS Dhoni(w/c), Shivam Dube, Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Shreyas Gopal, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mukesh Choudhary, Urvil Patel, Nathan Ellis, Andre Siddarth C

Kolkata Knight Riders Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Luvnith Sisodia, Anrich Nortje, Mayank Markande, Spencer Johnson, Chetan Sakariya, Quinton de Kock

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