IPL 2018, Match 5, CSK vs KKR: Preview, head to head, and key players to watch out for

Match preview

We move to MA Chidambaram stadium where the home team, Chennai Super Kings, will lock horns against Kolkata Knight Riders in the fifth game of the IPL. Playing at home after a span of two years, one can expect a full house and a sea of yellow supporting MS Dhoni and his team.

Both CSK and KKR started their campaign with a win against MI and RCB, respectively. The two Caribbean stars – Dwayne Bravo (CSK) and Sunil Narine (KKR) – helped their respective franchises with stellar performances and bagged the Man of the Match awards.

Probable playing XI

With Kedar Jadhav suffering from a hamstring injury in the last game and Mark Wood having a not so memorable outing on his debut, CSK would make at least two changes to the team. Murli Vijay might replace Jadhav and Lungi Ngidi can replace Mark Wood while Ambati Rayudu can be used as a floater.

CSK: MS Dhoni (Captain and wicketkeeper), Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Shane Watson, Murali Vijay, Ambati Rayudu, Lungi Ngidi, Harbhajan Singh, Deepak Chahar and Imran Tahir.

While captains don’t like to change their winning combination, Vinay Kumar’s lack of pace and two expensive overs might way for the U-19 sensation Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

KKR: Dinesh Karthik (Captain and wicketkeeper), Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Andre Russell, Mitchell Johnson, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Rinku Singh and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

Key players

Chris Lynn: After recuperating from his shoulder injury, his presence in the KKR camp has been a big boost to the management as well as the fans. While he failed to perform with the bat against RCB, Lynn would be looking to get some runs under his belt.

Dwayne Bravo: You can never keep him out of the game. Any captain would be happy to have the all-round services of Bravo. In the last encounter, he single-handedly turned the game in CSK’s favour and one can expect the same from him in the next fixture.

Andre Russell: Making a comeback after a year ban, Russell showed glimpses of what he can do with the bat and ball in the last game. His ability to bowl at the death and smash huge sixes makes him KKR’s best all-rounder. He might just turn up the heat against CSK.

Suresh Raina: The highest run-scorer in the IPL, Raina is a formidable player in the short version of the game. His ability to score freely in the power-plays and produce match-winning innings time and again makes him lethal.

Dinesh Karthik: The in-form batsman and the skipper of KKR holds the key. His decision to get Nitish Rana in the bowling attack and vital contribution with the bat in the previous game saw KKR get over the line. Karthik is expected to keep his calm and pitch in with similar performances.

Head to head

The two teams have faced each other on 17 occasions in the IPL. CSK have an upper hand with 10 wins while KKR have 6. One game was washed out.

Highest scores

CSK’s highest score against KKR is 200/3 (Chennai, 2013); Result: CSK won by 14 runs

KKR’s highest score against CSK is 192/5 (Chennai, 2012); Result: KKR won by 5 wickets

Lowest scores

CSK’s lowest score against KKR is 114/4 (Kolkata, 2011); Result: KKR won by 10 runs (D/L Method)

KKR’s lowest score against CSK is 109/10 (Kolkata, 2010); Result: CSK won by 55 runs

Prediction

CSK have a well-balanced team that boasts of several batsmen as well as bowlers. KKR, on the other hand, are heavily reliant on its top order and lacks quality Indian fast bowling options. CSK would be tough to beat on their home ground. The team that wins the toss will look to bowl first and restrict the opposition.