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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will aim for a comeback with a win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL after two consecutive losses. The team will look to perform better than its current ranking. Despite two recent losses, there is no pressure on the CSK team, but the management will try to address the team's weaknesses. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra need to improve their performance to lead CSK to a good start in the Powerplay. Gaikwad has a strike rate of 118.91, while Ravindra has struggled in the last two matches.
Shivam Dube has been the most successful batsman for CSK in the current tournament with a strike rate of 160.86, scoring 148 runs. It remains to be seen if young Samir Rizvi returns to the team. The 20-year-old batsman scored 14 runs in six balls in his first match against Gujarat Titans but failed against Delhi Capitals, leading to his exclusion from the Sunrisers Hyderabad match. Fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman and Pat Cummins couldn't play in the last match, revealing weaknesses in CSK's bowling department. If they miss the match against KKR, it will be challenging for CSK to compensate.
Responsibility on Deepak Chahar: If Rahman and Cummins are unavailable, the responsibility in the fast bowling department will be on Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, and Mukesh Choudhary. In the spin department, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mahesh Tikshana will have crucial roles. Both KKR and Rajasthan Royals have benefitted from fearless batting performances. Starting the innings with Sunil Narine has been beneficial for KKR. CSK's bowlers will face a challenge in dismissing Narine quickly. Phil Salt has also supported Narine well. Captain Shreyas Iyer and Raman Deep Singh need to show more consistency, while Andre Russell and Rinku Singh have impressed.
Harshit Rana's Impact: Harshit Rana, Russell, and Vaibhav Arora have performed well in bowling, while after two initial unsuccessful matches, Michell Stark and Varun Chakravarthy are gaining momentum. Both teams have shown all-round performances, and they will try to avoid changes in their XI.
Probable Playing 11 for Both Teams:
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mahesh Tikshana.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Philip Salt (wicketkeeper), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rinku Singh, Ankurush Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Raman Deep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy.
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