IPL 2020 – Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders taking place? Wednesday 7th October, 2020 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders taking place? Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
What is the expected weather for Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders? 36c sunny
Where can I get tickets for Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders? IPL 2020 matches will be played without spectators to begin with but the official IPL website will update fans if this situation changes
What channel is Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders on? Sky Sports will be televising this match
Where can I stream Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders? Sky Sports subscribers will be able to stream the match live vis the Sky Go website or app
THE TEAM NEWS
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
- After losing three matches in a row, Chennai Super Kings bounced back emphatically last time out as chased down Kings XI’s 178/4 in stunning fashion smashing 181 without loss with 2.2 overs to spare.
- Veterans Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson shared the unbroken stand and their virtually matched each other the whole way smashing 87 and 83 respectively – each from 53 balls – as Watson hit top form finally.
- While they come off a superb and much-needed win, they may consider bringing in Lung Ngidi or Josh Hazelwood for his match to tactically deal with Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, both of whom have shown a weakness to the short ball.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
- Kolkata Knight Riders were on the losing end of another shootout in Sharjah on Saturday as they fell 18 runs short chasing Delhi Capitals’ impressive total of 228/4 which means they have won two and lost two of their four games.
- Sunil Narine’s struggles with the bat continue as he now has 27 runs in his four innings so it will be interesting to see how long they keep him at the top of the order while it would be no surprise to see Eoin Morgan move further up the order rather than at number six.
- The likelihood is that they will name an unchanged side for his game and Narine has been given a vote of confidence so they will look to keep faith in him though the middle order could move around depending on the match situation.
THE PREDICTION
CSK finally had an opening partnership of any note last time out as Shane Watson finally clicked into gear with Faf du Plessis and that set the tone for their win. Their top order issues have caused them problems in previous games leaving the middle order with too much work to do but if Watson can continue this form, they look a much different proposition. The bowling unit is not as effective as it is used to being back in Chennai however and that is weakness for them which is putting pressure on the batsmen. They face Kolkata Knight Riders here who have been pretty inconsistent so far and much depends on which version turns up. Their batting and bowling has proved to be somewhat unreliable so far and they need their key players to find some rhythm like CSK did last time out. There is little to choose between the two sides but CSK’s batsmen just have the edge when it comes to putting big scores together (six fifties compared to KKR’s two) and that could nudge this game in their favour.
