Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL, 2026 Apr 14 Full score card

A dot to end the game. A comprehensive win for CSK by 32 runs. It is their second straight win after losing their first three games. Kamboj slants it across the batter, full in length. Powell moves across the stumps and swings for the hills but misses. Not given as a wide and Rovman reviews, more in hope than anything else. The replays show that Powell is standing slightly outside the off stump, and the ball is passing well within the revised guideline.

SIX! Kamboj misses, and Powell cashes in. Anshul goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a friendly full toss, on the pads. Rovman picks it up nicely off the pads and parks it into the stands beyond deep backward square leg.

Not allowing the batter to get under it. Almost in the blockhole, on the off stump. Roy drills it to mid off for a single.

The next batter in is Anukul Roy.

OUT! CAUGHT! A sharp catch by Sarfaraz Khan. Going away with the angle, Kamboj attempts the yorker but it comes out as a low full toss. Ramandeep hangs low and takes it on the full. He tries to angle the bat face in a way to guide it past short third. He fails to get it wide enough and Sarfaraz gets low quickly to his left to snaffle it.

Low full toss, outside off. Ramandeep reaches out and hits it to cover without much timing.

Wide! Kamboj targets the leg pole with a full delivery. Singh walks inside the line to get it away but misses. Not far away from the leg stump but it has been given as a wide.

FOUR! Good cricket all around! Kamboj bowls the wide yorker from around the wicket. Ramandeep Singh shuffles across, gets his bat down in time and slices it to the right of the man at deep backward point for a boundary.

Overton bends his back and digs it in short, over middle. Rovman Powell does not quite get hold of it on the pull and it goes only as far as deep square leg. Noor Ahmad is behind square in the deep and he runs across to his left. He ends up overrunning the ball but the second run was always on. The deep mid-wicket fielder backs Noor up and he hauls it in.

CSK have also run out of time to finish their 20 overs. They will be handed a penalty for Slow Over Rate in the final over, but it will not have any effect on the outcome of the game.

Wide! Lands it on a back of a length and it is the off-cutter. It spins down leg and Powell misses as he swings across the line.

A big swing and a miss! Rovman Powell has a perplexed look on his face. He feels that it should be a wide. Powell has sent it upstairs. Overton dishes out the off-cutter, full and outside off. Powell is standing on the off stump and he throws the kitchen sink at it but fails to connect. The replays confirm that the ball was well within the guideline.

A sharp and quick bumper from Overton at 143.8 kph. Powell looks to take it on but is beaten for pace and the ball zips over his right shoulder.

Good response from Overton. A yorker on the off stump. Singh squeezes it out wide of point and gets to the other end.

FOUR! Cleverly done! Pace off and into the surface, over middle. Ramandeep Singh gives himself a bit of room and gets under the ball. Plays the upper-cut over the man at short third for a boundary.

Bashes the hard length, over middle. Ramandeep Singh swings across and pulls it to the left of deep square leg. With this brace, the 50-run stand comes up.

Who bowls the 19th? It will be Jamie Overton.

Superb execution throughout the over from Kamboj. Slips in the yorker right at the base of the off pole. Ramandeep jams it out through point for another single. Just 7 runs off it, and the task gets even steeper for KKR.

So far, so good from Kamboj. Almost in the blockhole, on middle and leg. Powell gets the front leg out of the way and smears it off the inner half behind square leg for one.

Gets the wide yorker in, Ramandeep steers it to deep backward point for one.

Going away, full in length. Powell throws his hands at the ball. Gets a thickish outside edge down to deep third, where Noor Ahmad mops it up. Just a single.

Full and on middle. Singh clears the front leg and has a heave across the line. Toe-ends it square on the leg side for a single.

Needless throw! Full and wide on off. Powell flashes at it but miscues it off the inner half beside the strip on the leg side. Ramandeep is keen for a single but is sent back. He gets home but Kamboj has a shy at the bowling end. He misses and with no one near to back the throw up, the ball rolls to long off, allowing a single.

Wide! A marginal call, but it goes in favour of the batter. Kamboj spots Powell standing on the off stump and he looks to fire in a yorker in at the leg stump, just the way he cleaned up Tim David, but he had overstepped then. Powell swings at it but misses.

Anshul Kamboj (2-0-13-1) is back on.

FOUR! Up and over! Gurjapneet Singh serves the off-pace ball and this is bowled into the wicket. Ramandeep Singh reaches out and fetches it from near the tramline. He hops and flays it over extra cover. Ruturaj Gaikwad turns around and goes after it, but the ball wins the race. Another under-par over for KKR. 11 runs off it. 62 runs required off 18 balls.

What happened there? Just before the release of the ball, it looks like Khaleel Ahmed has pulled something here. He is holding his right hip, but goes back to his mark. However, he is really struggling and will not be able to continue. Khaleel is walking off the field, and Prashant Veer comes in as the substitute fielder. Also, Gurjapneet Singh will finish this over.

Very full, in line with the off stump. Powell cannot get under it. Hits it down to long on for one.

Nails the yorker, at the toes. Powell digs it out beside the strip on the leg side. Khaleel moves to his right and cuts down the possibility of a single.

FOUR! Powerfully struck! Khaleel rolls his fingers over the ball and looks to make use of the angle by running this across the right-hander. This is not wide enough and Powell is able to reach out. He slams it over extra cover for a one-bounce boundary.

Pushed across the right-hander, on a good length. Singh cuts it to deep point for just a single.

Starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, on middle. Rovman whips it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Strategic Break! Chennai Super Kings have a strong grip on the game, but they still have to execute their plans at the death well. A couple of wickets will all but seal the game, but they just have to avoid the boundary balls here. Kolkata Knight Riders will be hoping that this pair of Rovman Powell and Ramandeep Singh can pull off something special here, as they do have a mountain to climb. It will be Khaleel Ahmed to bowl after the break.

Bowled from a bit wide on the crease, on a good length, on middle. Powell clips it through mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single. Despite 11 runs off the first 3 balls, KKR could only collect 13 from the over. 73 runs needed in 24 balls.

Takes pace off and this is on a back of a length, on off. Ramandeep taps it to the left of backward point and crosses over.

Over off, on a hard length. Ramandeep drops it in front of point off the back foot. He wants a single but there is none on offer.

Wide! Banged in short, too high. Ramandeep Singh watches it sail over his head.

SIX! All the way! If KKR are to get home from here, Rovman Powell cannot do it all alone. He needs support at the other end and this is a good first half of the over from Ramandeep Singh. Cross-seam ball, on a shortish length, on middle. This sits up to be hit and Singh clobbers it in front of square on the leg side for half a dozen.

FOUR! Smart batting! Pace off now, into the strip, this spins back a bit towards the right-hander, but Ramandeep does well to arch back and glide it wide of backward point for a boundary.

Overton hits the hard length at 138.2 kph, on off. Ramandeep walks across to access the 58-metre boundary behind square on the leg side. He is beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the thigh pad.

There has been a change of ball between overs here. A lot of due on the ground and CSK have opted for a dry ball for the last five overs.

Quicker, full and on leg, Rovman Powell works it through backward square leg and turns around for the second run. He has to hurry but makes his ground in the end. Noor Ahmad finishes his spell with outstanding figures of 4-0-21-3.

Slows it up, full and around leg, follows the batter. Ramandeep Singh backs away to flick but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards short fine. A leg bye taken.

Flighted, full and on leg, Rovman Powell clips it through square leg for one.

Dragged back and around off, Ramandeep Singh slaps it to sweeper cover for another run.

A googly, short and on off, Rovman Powell pats it towards cover for a run.

Short and outside off, Ramandeep Singh cuts it away to deep point for a single.

Pulls his length back a bit, on middle, shapes away a touch. Rovman Powell guides it away towards short third.

SIX! 100 UP FOR KKR! Jamie Overton serves this fuller and just outside off, pace on. Rovman Powell gets his hands through the shot. He never tried to hit it down and carved it over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie. Made it look effortless.

Back of a length and on off, takes pace off. Ramandeep Singh gets across and hooks it towards deep fine for another run.

Hard length and on middle, angling in, Rovman Powell tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Slower one, on a length and on off, Ramandeep Singh steps across and clips it through square leg for a single.

Jamie Overton bangs in a quick bouncer at 140.9 kph, on middle. Ramandeep Singh looks to hook it away, but gets late on it and misses. Sanju Samson, behind the stumps, grabs it near his head. Hang on! CSK take a very late review for caught behind. Overton did not look that interested, though. The replay shows that the ball is passing very close to the gloves. UltraEdge shows a flat line, and CSK lose a review.

A luxury for Ruturaj Gaikwad to introduce Jamie Overton at this stage in the game. Overton was CSK's most successful bowler in their win over DC.

Dragged back and around off, Ramandeep Singh punches it through covers for one and gets off the mark.

CSK tighten their grip on the game. Ramandeep Singh comes out to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Noor Ahmad has three now. The pressure was building on Rinku Singh, who succumbed under it. A wrong'un, full and on middle, turns in a bit. Rinku Singh goes down on one knee to go down the ground, but gets it more from the inner half of the bat. The ball flies straight into the hands of Shivam Dube at long on, who takes an easy catch. It's going from bad to worse for KKR.

Pushed through quicker, shortish and on off, Rinku Singh taps it out in front of point. He calls for the run but is sent back. Pressure building!

Three dots in a row! Short again and down the leg side, there to be put away. Rinku Singh looks to pull it away but gets it off the gloves on the bounce to short fine.

The dots are piling up now! Shorter in length and around off, Rinku Singh punches it wide of cover, where Sarfaraz Khan dives to his left to make a good stop.

No hat-trick! Flatter, full and around leg, Rinku Singh tucks it away but fails to beat short fine.

Here's Noor Ahmad on a hat-trick. No one at slip, surprisingly.

Drops it short again, on off, turns in, Rinku Singh punches it through cover-point for one more. Akeal Hosein ends a superb spell of bowling with figures of 4-0-26-1.

Quicker one, short and on middle, Rovman Powell moves back and nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Rovman Powell turns it to the leg side.

Short and outside off, Rinku Singh cuts it away to deep point for another run.

Floated, full and on middle, Rovman Powell tucks it away through mid-wicket for a run.

Short and around leg, Rinku Singh swipes it away to deep square leg for a single.

Noor will be on a hat-trick at the start of his next over. It is Akeal Hosein for now. Rovman Powell has joined Rinku Singh out in the middle.

OUT! CLEANED UP! Back-to-back wickets for Noor Ahmad, and he gets rid of Cameron Green for a golden duck, whose nightmare IPL continues. Noor pushes the leg-break quicker from around the wicket, lands this on off, gets it to turn in sharply. Green backs away to cut it away, but gets very late on the shot as the ball goes through to rattle the stumps behind. KKR lose half their side now.

Both set batters have fallen in successive overs. Cameron Green comes out to bat. CSK are on the attack. A slip in place for Green.

OUT! CAUGHT! 50th IPL wicket for Noor Ahmad. He dishes out a googly, fuller and around off, turns away a bit. Ajinkya Rahane goes inside-out and tries to loft it over covers, but fails to read the wrong'un. His bat turns in his hands, and he slices it off the outer half of the bat towards extra cover. Ruturaj Gaikwad backtracks a bit and makes no mistake this time. KKR are 85/4, still needing 108 runs in 55 balls.

Flighted, full and on middle, Rinku Singh drives it down the ground to the right of long on for one.

Tossed up, full and on leg, Ajinkya Rahane drills it to long on for another run.

Flatter, short again and on off, Rinku Singh guides it through point for a run.

Floated, short and around off, Ajinkya Rahane opens the bat face and punches it through covers for a single.

Full and on middle. This is flicked to deep square leg for one.

Hosein stays short but this is slower, on middle and leg. Rinku taps it to long on and opens his account with a single.

Turning into the pads, on a nagging length. Rinku misses out on the glance. The ball clips his pads and goes nowhere.

Finally, some luck for Akeal Hosein. No signs of Cameron Green yet, as it is Rinku Singh who joins his skipper out in the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dewald Brevis makes no mistake this time. Third time lucky for Akeal Hosein. Speared in from around the wicket, short and on middle. Angkrish Raghuvanshi goes deep in the crease and tries to flat bat this one over long on. He gets no power on the shot and hits it straight down the throat of Dewald Brevis, who bends and takes the catch in reverse cup style over his right shoulder.

PUT DOWN! It is Sarfaraz Khan this time. First Angkrish Raghuvanshi and now Ajinkya Rahane. Both batters have gotten a lifeline. You have to feel for Akeal Hosein. This is the second catch that has gone down off his bowling. This is dropped short, on middle. Rahane presses back for the pull and skies it in front of deep mid-wicket. Sarfaraz comes charging in off the ropes and just like it happened when Brevis dropped a catch earlier, Khan is on the move and never managed to steady himself. The ball goes in and out of his palm. Single taken.

Drifting in at the sticks, on a length. Angkrish taps it in front of cover for a single.

Skidding through, on top of off. Angkrish Raghuvanshi drops it beside the strip on the off side and calls Rahane through for a single. Good last couple of overs for KKR. 31 runs off the last 12 balls.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! Just the kind of over KKR needed after the break. On a hard length, over off and middle. Angkrish Raghuvanshi backs away slightly and lets the ball come to him. He opens the bat face and steers it to the right of short third for a four. 18 runs off the over with a ball to go.

At the hips, off-pace delivery, on a short of a length. Rahane tucks it square on the leg side for a single.

SIX! Dispatched! A bit too short and Gurjapneet Singh knows it as he walks back to his mark, unhappy with himself. Rahane hangs deep and is quick to swivel in the crease before pulling it over square leg for the second six of the over.

Pace off now, on a short of a length. Ajinkya dabs it to point.

SIX! Nicely done! Is this the shot that gets Rahane going? Across off, on a back of a length at 137 kph. A step across the stumps from Rahane before getting under the ball. He uses the pace and plays the scoop over short fine leg for a six.

Wide! Sprayed down leg, on a good length. Rahane swivels and swings at it but is beaten for pace.

Strategic Break! It has been a sedate start to the chase for KKR, and losing both the openers inside the Powerplay did not help their cause. CSK have been excellent with the ball, keeping tight lines and not giving away easy boundaries. However, Dewald Brevis will be disappointed dropping Angkrish Raghuvanshi in the previous over, and he will hope that Angkrish does not go on to add too many. Someone of Ajinkya Rahane or Raghuvanshi needs to take an attacking approach now, as they still have a lot of firepower left in the tank. Gurjapneet Singh to bowl after the break.

Full and drifting in at the stumps, Rahane turns it to deep square leg for one more.

On the off stump, fractionally short. This is cut away to deep point for another single.

Pushes it through, on a nagging length, on middle. Angkrish plays the short-arm jab to the right of deep mid-wicket. Sarfaraz Khan sprints and slides to his right in the deep to mop it up. Two runs taken.

DROPPED, SIX! Dewald Brevis palms it over the ropes. A big moment in the game. Slightly short, on middle. Angkrish Raghuvanshi goes deep in the crease for the pull. Gets it high on the bat and it is skied between deep mid-wicket and long on. Dewald Brevis does not quite judge the trajectory of the ball at long on as he runs in initially and then realises that he needs to run around. He is on the move while taking the catch. The ball hits him hard on the palm and pops out before dropping beyond the ropes. A pat on the back to Brevis from Sarfaraz Khan, who had converged from deep mid-wicket. Don't think Dewald was put off by Sarfaraz running in, as he was a fair bit away.

Slower and a bit of air given, on the fuller side, outside off. Rahane has a swipe across the line but miscues it off the toe end to deep square leg for a run.

Sliding on with the arm, on a good length. Angkrish gets on top of it and punches it through point. They cross.

Too straight, too full, on the pads. Rahane neatly clips it to the left of deep square leg and comes charging back for the second run. A good over for KKR. 10 runs off it. The Knight Riders need 147 runs in 78 balls.

Bowled with a flatter trajectory and the length is pulled back. Angkrish reaches out in front and drags the sweep to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Innovative and effective! Floated up, fuller in length, on the off stump. Angkrish brings out the reverse and switches his grip on the bat. He gets under the ball before going over short third for a boundary.

Sliding across the right-hander again, the length stays short. Rahane reaches out and bunts it down off the bottom edge. He hurries to the other end as the ball dribbles in front of point.

Quicker and fuller as well, on middle. Angkrish Raghuvanshi chops it past point for one more.

Noor Ahmad starts with a loosener. This is dragged down, across off. Rahane fails to take full toll of it. He pulls it to deep mid-wicket without much timing. Just a single.

According to Ian Bishop on air, this is the third-lowest Powerplay score this season. Here is Noor Ahmad to bowl now.

There's that ball that curves back into the right-hander. At the stumps, on a nagging length. Angkrish Raghuvanshi backs away but manages to drop his bat down and keep it out. At the end of 6 overs, KKR are 36/2.

Darted in on a good length, on middle. This is punched to cover.

FOUR! Gets it through! A bit on the shorter side, around off. Angkrish gives himself room to open the off side and he thumps it to the left of the diving Anshul Kamboj at cover-point for a boundary.

A loud shout for LBW, but turned down! Flat and short, pushed through, on off. Angkrish Raghuvanshi walks across and sinks to a knee for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the back thigh. Samson feels that the impact is outside off and CSK do not go for the review. The Ball Tracking later confirms that the impact was indeed outside the line.

Fractionally short this time, a bit of turn, on middle. Angkrish Raghuvanshi makes room and slaps it hard but picks out the man at cover.

Drops it short first up, on middle. Rahane is late to rock back and he mistimes the pull to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower one, full and around off, Ajinkya Rahane strides out and drives it to sweeper cover for one more. Just 3 runs and a wicket from the over. Top stuff from Khaleel!

Back of a length and outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi steers it away through point for a run.

Pitched up and just outside off. Angkrish Raghuvanshi uses his feet, reaches out and flat-bats it aerially but on the bounce to mid off.

Fuller in length and around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi looks to push it away but gets a thick outside edge towards short third. He wants the run but is sent back in time.

Both the KKR openers are back in the hut now. Angkrish Raghuvanshi makes his way out to the centre. A slip in place for the new batter.

OUT! TAKEN! Khaleel Ahmed strikes. He comes around the wicket, serves this fuller and on middle, angling away. Sunil Narine backs away and tries to tuck it away leg side but closes the bat face early. It takes the leading edge and flies towards short third, where Gurjapneet Singh takes the catch to his left. Ruturaj Gaikwad will be a relieved man. KKR are 29/2, chasing 193 runs.

Back of a length and on off, angling in. Ajinkya Rahane looks to swipe across the line but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side. A single taken.

Slower one, full and on off, Sunil Narine drills it to mid off.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Sunil Narine pulls it away wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Gets it away! Hard length and around middle, shaping in this time. Sunil Narine has a big heave across the line. Gets it from the inside half of the bat but wide of mid-wicket and it races to the fence for a boundary.

Another swing and a miss! Back of a length and around off, angling across the left-hander. Sunil Narine opens up his stance to go leg side but misses again

DROPPED! Would you believe it? The CSK skipper has dropped a sitter. Attempted yorker from Anshul Kamboj, but ends up bowling a low full toss, on off. Sunil Narine looks to loft it away but toe-ends it towards mid off. It lobs to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who tries to reverse cup it but spills it out. Maybe too many things were going on in his mind, because 9/10 times, you would expect him to take it. Kamboj already started celebrating, but it was cut short.

Swing and a miss! Short of a length and outside off, angling away. Sunil Narine backs away for the pull shot but misses.

Khaleel hunts the toes this time and goes for a yorker. Sunil Narine drives this in front of mid off and takes a single. Narine will keep the strike.

Khaleel comes around the stumps, hits the hard length and takes this across the southpaw. Narine swings and misses.

SIX! Narine continues to swing his willow. Hard length, into the batter, Sunil Narine stays leg side to the line of the ball and swings at it. Hits this right from the middle of his bat and deposits this over Dewald Brevis at wide long on for his second biggie of the chase.

Khaleel Ahmed has been warned for running in the danger area.

Khaleel lands this on a good length and takes this across the batter. Ajinkya Rahane cuts this to the left of the fielder at point and takes a single as deep third cuts this off.

Good length, around off, Ajinkya Rahane presses onto the front foot and drives this well but straight to mid off.

Short and on off, width was on offer but Jinx just gets late into the cut and ends up chopping this off the inner half of his bat to point.

A slight hold-up in play before the start of the 3rd over. The two umpires have gotten together. Not sure about the reason. Matthew Short can be seen on the field, so it could be related to his presence.

Hard length, just outside off. Ajinkya Rahane gets up on his toes and dabs this in front of covers and takes a single to get off the mark. A successful over for CSK as Anshul Kamboj gives away just 7 runs and takes the all-important wicket of Finn Allen as well.

A tad fuller this time, on off, Ajinkya Rahane drives this to covers for no run.

A big wicket early on for CSK. In walks the KKR skipper, Ajinkya Rahane at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kamboj gets rid of the dangerous Finn and gives CSK a sensational start with the ball. On a length, around off, shaping away from the right-hander. Finn looks to slog this across the line, but the swing outfoxes him. Allen ends up ballooning this towards point, where Shivam Dube makes no mistake and holds onto it.

Yorker, around leg, Narine jams this around silly mid on and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Just helped away for a boundary. Back of a length, around leg, Narine swivels and looks to pull but ends up tickling this to the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

On a length, around off, Finn flicks this through mid-wicket and jogs to the other end for a single to get off the mark.

Anshul Kamboj will operate from the other end. Surprisingly, no slip in place, but there is a man at short third.

Fuller one, around off, just shaping away from the southpaw. Narine looks to slice this through the off side but fails to get bat on the ball. 7 runs come off Khaleel's first over.

SIX! Narine connects with one and deposits this into the stands. Short-pitched delivery, into the batter, Sunil Narine backs away a shade and pulls this right from the middle of his bat and lands this on the other side of the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region.

Khaleel gets it to curve away and Narine has no answer to it. Full and around off, shaping a long way away from the batter. Sunil remains leg side to the ball and doesn't even bother to swing at it.

Khaleel Ahmed has asked for the sawdust to be applied on the landing area.

Back of a length this time from the left-handed pacer. Sunil Narine goes for the pull but connects only with thin air. It will be either hit or miss for Sunil Narine by the looks of it.

Wobble seam ball from Khaleel, around off, Sunil Narine moves away to his legside and looks to free his arms. Swings at it but misses out on any sort of connection with the bat.

Leg bye! An extra to get the chase underway. Khaleel bowls it on a good length but errs in line and delivers this around the pads of Finn. The batter gets inside the line and goes for the flick but misses out and gets it clipped off the pads through short fine leg for a leg bye.

Superb final over! Kartik Tyagi bowls another full toss, outside off. Shivam Dube too, gets rushed due to the pace and only manages to force it through extra covers for one. CSK finish on 192/5!

Fails to put it away! A full toss, just outside off. Jamie Overton gets rushed and ends up slicing it down to long off for one.

Well-executed yorker, on middle and off. Shivam Dube cannot get under it and drills it to long off for just one.

Run out chance...missed! Short of a length and around off, takes pace off. Shivam Dube pulls it off the inside edge towards mid-wicket and sets off for the run. The fielder throws it back to the bowler, where Tyagi puts in an underarm throw at the stumps but misses, with Dube well short. However, the ball rolls away, allowing the batters to get an extra run.

Another good yorker, on off, Shivam Dube digs it out off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

In the blockhole, outside off, Jamie Overton jams it out to sweeper cover for a single.

Time for the final over. As expected, the Kolkata Knight Riders can only have 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle due to the slow over-rate penalty. Kartik Tyagi will close out the innings. Can CSK reach 200?

From around the wicket, bowls a low full toss, well outside off. Jamie Overton toe-ends it down to long off for just one. Despite the wides, still a good over from Arora. 9 runs off it.

Hard length and just outside off, Shivam Dube punches it away to sweeper cover for one.

WIDE! And again! Much fuller and beyond the tramline, outside off. Shivam Dube once again shoulders arms to it.

The timer has run out. KKR are 10 minutes behind on the over rate. Expect a penalty to be imposed on the Knight Riders for the final over, where they will be allowed only 4 fielders outside the inner circle.

WIDE! Pitched up and outside off, goes over the wide guideline, Shivam Dube offers no shot at it and gets the decision.

Dot ball! Nails the yorker, on middle and off, Shivam Dube can only dig it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Gets it away! Short of a length and around middle, takes pace off. Shivam Dube gets inside the line, waits for it and helps it over backward square leg for a boundary.

WIDE! Fuller but this time way outside off, Shivam Dube leaves it alone. Wided.

The stumps become a fielder! Fuller and on middle, Shivam Dube stays deep inside his crease and smashes it down the pitch but straight into the stumps at the other end. CSK certainly denied a boundary.

Vaibhav Arora goes for the wide yorker outside off stump, this is very close to the guideline. Shivam Dube lets it go. Called a wide but KKR take the review here, with the keeper, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, looking confident. The replay shows that Dube is standing a bit outside off, so that moves the wideline further. Ball Tracking shows that some part of the ball is inside the tramline. The wide call has been overturned.

Vaibhav Arora to bowl the 19th over. KKR's head coach, Abhishek Nayar, seems unhappy with something. He is in a conversation with the fourth umpire, where he is letting his displeasure be known.

Pace off again, full and just outside off. Jamie Overton has a big swoosh across the line but misses due to the lack of pace. Just 6 runs and a wicket off the 18th!

FOUR! Good shot! Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, takes pace off again. Jamie Overton picks it up early, waits for it and smacks it wide of extra cover for a boundary.

Gets the wide yorker right, just inside the tramline. Jamie Overton fails to dig it out.

Jamie Overton comes out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another timely wicket for KKR, and Kartik Tyagi gets his second. He lands this short of a length, outside off, but cleverly rolls his fingers to take pace off. Dewald Brevis throws his hands at it but goes through the shot early due to the lack of pace. It takes the outside edge and flies to the left of short third, where Vaibhav Arora dives to take a low catch.

WIDE! Tries the wide yorker, but just spills it over the tramline, outside off. Dewald Brevis lets it go.

A low full toss, outside off. Dewald Brevis reaches out for it but only manages to stab it out to short cover.

Fuller and around off, Shivam Dube knocks it wide of mid off for a quick single.

Kartik Tyagi comes back on. 2-0-21-1 so far for the right-arm speedster.

Shortish again and around off, Dewald Brevis stabs it out to extra cover. Narine finishes a fine spell with figures of 4-0-21-1.

FOUR! Fine shot! Dragged back and just around off. Dewald Brevis backs away early to make some room and slaps it away past extra covers for a boundary. Narine vents out a roar in frustration.

Beauty! Floated, full and on middle and leg, turns away a shy bit. Dewald Brevis backs away to play with a straight bat, but the ball beats the outside edge to hit the back thigh.

Short and around off, Shivam Dube punches it down to long on for a single.

Flatter, full and around leg, Shivam Dube goes for the swipe but misses and the ball goes off his pads towards short fine. Two leg byes taken.

This could be a blessing in disguise for CSK, given the struggles tonight for Sarfaraz Khan. Shivam Dube walks in next. He is welcomed with a roar from the CSK faithful.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Sunil Narine strikes now. He serves the carrom ball, full and around middle, turns away a bit. Sarfaraz Khan gets down on one knee and has a big slog across the line. He gets undone by the spin and misses as the ball hits the off stump. CSK are 162/4 now.

FOUR! Just the over CSK were looking for here! Full toss, on middle, there to be hit. Dewald Brevis swipes across the line, gets it from the inner half of the bat but finds the gap at deep mid-wicket for four runs. 20 runs off the over.

Wide! Arora slips in a full ball and the ball keeps going away with the angle. Dewald Brevis thinks about going after it but eventually bails out. Wide not given and Brevis reviews the wide call. The Ball Tracker shows that no part of the ball was within the guideline. The on-field decision is overturned to wide.

Back to the wide yorker plan from around the wicket. Sarfaraz Khan jams it out to long off for a run.

SIX! That will help Sarfaraz Khan feel a little better. Arora goes into the surface but the height does not trouble the batter at all. It comes just around the midriff. Khan presses half-forward and nails the pull over square leg for a six.

Wide yorker nailed by Arora. Brevis falls over as he reaches out but manages to hit it down to long off for one.

SIX! Top edge and it goes all the way! Arora switches to around the wicket and serves the bumper. This goes across the right-hander. Brevis takes it on but fails to get on top of the bounce. It is skied off the top edge and goes over the fine leg fence.

Oh, that could have gone anywhere! Arora bangs it in short, over off. Sarfaraz Khan gets into a tangle and it goes off his gloves over the keeper for a single.

Vaibhav Arora (2-0-26-1) returns to the attack.

A fine over from Roy. Just 6 runs off it. Flighted delivery and near the guideline. Sarfaraz Khan reaches out and one hand comes off the handle. Carves it to deep cover for a single.

Shorter and outside off. Sarfaraz Khan guides it to the left of backward point. He wants a single but Brevis sends him back.

Tossed up, outside off. Brevis is made to reach out and he mistimes the drive to long off for a single.

Wide! The cat and mouse continues. Anukul Roy pushes it away from the right-hander but this is just outside the guideline.

Keeps coming in with the arm, on a good length. Brevis hops back but is cramped for room and punches it to cover.

Wide! This time, Roy drifts beyond the tramline. Brevis lets it go.

Well bowled! Dewald Brevis shows his cards early as he backs away even before the release. Roy nails the yorker and it sneaks inside the tramline. Dewald can't reach and he lets it pass.

Full and drifting in on leg. Sarfaraz Khan goes for the sweep but gets it off the toe end to mid on. They cross.

Wide! In an attempt to keep it away from the batter, Roy slips beyond the tramline.

Strategic Break! Kolkata Knight Riders managed to pull things back after an early onslaught from CSK, but the last over has shifted the momentum a bit. Both Dewald Brevis and Sarfaraz Khan are dangerous batters, and with Shivam Dube still to come, Chennai will be looking at a total in excess of 200, which has been the norm on this ground. KKR has done well, but now their death bowling will be tested, and this phase could well be the difference maker in this contest. Here is Anukul Roy to bowl after the break.

Flat and short, on middle and leg. Brevis stabs it down on the leg side. A productive over for CSK. 15 runs off it.

FOUR! Power followed by finesse! Around off and the length stays short. Brevis hangs back this time and uses the pace of the ball. He opens the bat face and threads the gap between short third and backward point to pick up another four.

FOUR! Hammered away! Varun Chakaravarthy switches to around the wicket and drops it short. Brevis cashes in on the width and thumps it to the left of the diving extra cover fielder for a boundary.

Drags the length back, on off. Sarfaraz Khan swivels for the pull but is early into the shot. Toe-ends it to long on for a single.

SIX! Clean strike! A loopy ball at 93 kph, full and on. Sarfaraz Khan waits for the ball to arrive and with a clean swing of the arms, he clubs it over long on for half a dozen.

Full and angled into the pads. Sarfaraz Khan reaches out in front and attempts the slog sweep but fails to connect and wears it on the pads.

Both teams are wearing black armbands, as mentioned on air by Ravi Shastri, in memory of C. D. Gopinath, who recently passed away at the age of 96. He was the last surviving member of India's first-ever Test-winning team, and this gesture serves as a mark of respect for his contribution to Indian cricket.

Full and on middle. Sarfaraz Khan sweeps it wide of square leg for a run.

That looks straight but KKR feel height could be an issue. Sunil Narine did not even go up. Ajinkya Rahane has a chat with the keeper and they eventually decide against the review. Flighted delivery, on a good length, on middle. Sarfaraz Khan drops down on a knee for the slog sweep but misses and gets hit on the right bicep as he crouches.

Short and on off. This is steered to short third by Khan.

Quick and short, on middle. Brevis makes room to force it through the off side. Ends up chopping it down in front of point for a run.

Turn for Narine! Tossed up, full and on middle. Sarfaraz Khan presses forward to push it down the ground but the ball spins back in to go past the inside edge. A leg bye is taken as the ball clips the top of the front pad and goes to short third.

Slower through the air. This grips a bit in the surface, on a nagging length. Sarfaraz Khan pats it to backward point from the crease.

Pitched up now, on off. Brevis firms the drive down the ground. The ball is past him before Tyagi can react. The long on fielder gets around and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Around off, on a good length, Khan goes hard on the drive but miscues it to long on off the inner half. They cross.

On a back of a length, around off. Khan stabs it to backward point.

FOUR! Sarfaraz Khan is away! Width offered by Tyagi, very full. Khan drops his bat down and opens the bat face to glide it to the left of backward point for a boundary. That's the risk involved with express pace if you miss your mark.

Nelson strikes for CSK. Sarfaraz Khan is the next man in.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Simon Katich just said on air that Tyagi needs to attack the stumps after the previous six, and he delivers right on cue. At 148 kph, full and straight, attacking the sticks. A bit of tail back into the right-hander. Samson does not move his feet at all and swings hard at it but is beaten for pace. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and rattles the timber.

SIX! Have some of that, says Sanju! Off-cutter, dug in short, outside off. Samson stands tall and he gets the width to free his arms. Slaps it with a horizontal bat over long off for a six.

A dot to end the over. Skidding through, on the shorter side. Brevis looks to clip it away with a closed bat face but is beaten on the inside edge and wears it high on the pads. A tidy over from Varun Chakaravarthy on his return to the attack. Just 3 runs off the over.

Varun cranks it up. This is at 108.2 kph, on a nagging length, on middle and leg. Samson is cramped for room and he mistimes the pull through square leg for one.

This is even quicker, shorter and with a flatter trajectory, on middle. Brevis dabs it to point for one.

Nearly sneaked through! Fuller in length, bowled at 95 kph, on middle and leg. Sanju sinks to a knee and goes for the slog sweep. Ekes out an inside edge behind square leg for a single.

Another ball going across off. Samson taps it back to Varun with a straight bat.

From around the wicket, on a good length, on middle. Samson chops it down the strip.

After being 72/2 at the end of the Powerplay, the next 4 overs have gone for just 30 runs. Also, change of ends for Varun Chakaravarthy.

Digs it into the surface again, around off, takes pace off, Sanju Samson stabs it out through covers for one.

SIX! BANG! Sanju Samson does not miss out this time. This is short again and well outside off. Samson makes a bit of room. extends his arms and carves it over the deep backward point fence for a biggie. 100 UP FOR CSK.

Nicely bowled! Kartik Tyagi bangs this into the pitch hard, keeps the line outside off. Sanju Samson backs away and tries to cut it away but gets beaten due to the extra bounce.

Short of a length and on middle, angling in a bit. Dewald Brevis gets hurried onto his pull shot. Gets it from the inside half of the bat through square leg for a single.

And again! 148.4 kph this time, on a good length and around off. Dewald Brevis has a slash at it but misses once more.

Fuller in length at 146.1 kph, just outside off. Dewald Brevis throws his hands at it but gets beaten by pace.

Floated, full and around middle. Dewald Brevis crouches low and lofts it down the ground but gets no timing at all. Rinku Singh at long on quickly moves to his left and collects it on the bounce to keep it to just one. Just 5 runs off the over!

Dragged back, on off, Sanju Samson stays back and forces it down to long off for one.

Short again and on off, Dewald Brevis moves back and punches it to sweeper cover for another run.

Drops it short and around leg, Sanju Samson nudges it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Flatter, full and on middle and leg, Sanju Samson goes for the slog sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Uppish but safe! Tossed up, full and on middle, Dewald Brevis steps across and tries to slog it across the line but gets a leading edge. The ball is skied over the bowler's head, with Ajinkya Rahane from cover going after it. The mid-wicket fielder runs to his left while the long on fielder also converges, but the ball lands right between them around mid off. A single taken.

A change of gloves for Sanju Samson. Sunil Narine to continue.

Another short delivery, on the pads, Dewald Brevis works it through square leg for one more.

The bat and ball, both go flying! Shorter in length and on middle, skids through a bit. Sanju Samson looks to heave it away but loses the grip of his bat. He hits the ball towards long on, while the bat flies to square leg. They cross.

FOUR! Up and over! Varun Chakaravarthy pushes this through quicker, keeps it short but well outside off. Sanju Samson has the license to slash hard with no protection in the deep. He slices it well over point for a boundary.

Drags his length back, on middle, angles it in. Dewald Brevis tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Floated, full and on off, turns in a bit. Dewald Brevis strides out and taps it out in front of backward point.

Flatter, full and on leg, angling in, Sanju Samson clips it through square leg for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy has been called into the attack. He missed the last couple of games for KKR due to a hand injury.

SIX! Clears the fence! Tossed up, full and on middle, Dewald Brevis goes down on one knee, stretches out in front and slogs it towards long on. The fielder thinks he is in the game but it just sails over his head for a biggie.

Goes around the wicket, bowls this short and around off, angling away. Sanju Samson pats it down to long off for one.

Short again and around off, Dewald Brevis backs away and pushes it through covers for another run.

Drops it short and on off, Sanju Samson hops up and punches it down to long off for a single.

Floated, full and around off, Sanju Samson guides it off the outer half of the bat towards backward point.

Tossed up, full and on off, turns in, Sanju Samson prods forward and taps it to short cover. He wants the run but is sent back.

STRATEGIC BREAK! An entertaining first 6 overs of the game. KKR lacked discipline in the Powerplay and were made to pay by CSK. They will be relieved to see the back of Ayush Mhatre as we head into the middle phase. The focus now shifts to how Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy operate, especially with Varun not quite at his best of late. CSK made the Powerplay count, but can they maintain this tempo through the middle overs against KKR's spin duo? Dewald Brevis joins Samson out in the middle. Sunil Narine to bowl after the break.

OUT! TAKEN! Vaibhav Arora has the last laugh here, and this is a crucial wicket for KKR. Arora once again bowls a well-directed bumper at 137.5 kph, on middle, angling in as well. Ayush Mhatre looks to take it on with a pull, but gets tucked up again. He ends up hitting it from the higher part of the bat and only gets the height, not the distance. It flies miles in the air towards deep mid-wicket, where Ramandeep Singh settles under the swirling ball and takes a really good catch. Mhatre's blitz comes to an end, and CSK are 72/2 after six overs.

Hits the length hard, on middle, jags back in sharply. Ayush Mhatre gets cramped up for room and flat-bats it only as far as mid on.

Well bowled! Arora bangs in a sharp and quick bouncer, on middle. Ayush Mhatre just gets a bit hurried and misses out on the pull shot.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries! Vaibhav Arora overcompensates and bangs this into the pitch, on off. Ayush Mhatre is anticipating that, shimmies a bit and swats it over the bowler's head for four more runs.

FOUR! Two in two! Much fuller in length and just around off. Ayush Mhatre backs away to open up the off side and smacks it between mid off and extra cover for another boundary. Mhatre moves to 34 off just 13 balls.

FOUR! Put away! Vaibhav Arora serves a juicy full toss, on middle and leg, begging to be hit. Ayush Mhatre does not miss out and heaves it away over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Vaibhav Arora to bowl the final over of Powerplay.

On middle and leg, on a length. Ayush turns it through mid-wicket and retains the strike with a single.

Stumping chance missed! Tossed up now, just outside off, full in length. Mhatre reaches out in front and swings hard at it. He is beaten on the outside edge and his back leg gets dragged out of the crease. Angkrish Raghuvanshi fails to gather the ball cleanly and it pops out of his gloves. Ayush gets a reprieve. How costly will this prove to be?

Keeps it around the off stump, full in length. Ayush keeps it out on the off side.

Around leg, on a length. Mhatre misses out on the glance. The ball brushes his pads and goes towards short fine leg.

Full and on leg, Samson nudges it to mid-wicket and crosses over.

SIX! Samson joins in on the fun! Full and angled in, on middle. Samson puts his head down and holds his shape to go downtown. A clean swing of the arms and Sanju slams it towards the sight screen for a six.

SIX! Back-to-back maximums from Mhatre. Green taken down by Ayush. Green bangs it in short but this sits up to be hit, on middle. Ayush climbs onto it in a flash as he swivels and nails the pull over square leg for half a dozen more. 21 runs off the over!

SIX! A quality shot with a bit of flair from Mhatre. Green bashes the hard length and does manage to tuck the batter up for room. Ayush hops and lifts his front leg to play the pull over backward square leg for a biggie.

FOUR! Crunched! Fractionally fuller, not all that wide but Mhatre stays leg side of the ball and exposes all three stumps. He gets his hands through the ball and thrashes it through covers for the second four of the over.

Green responds with a ripper! In and around the off pole, this nips away after pitching. Mhatre looks to cover the line with a straight bat but is squared up by the movement and the ball goes past the outside edge.

FOUR! Gets it through! Green hits the back of a length, just outside off. Mhatre takes a step towards the ball. He gets on top of the bounce and slaps it with a flat bat to the left of mid off for a boundary.

Swinging away from the off stump, on a length. Samson pushes at it with hard hands. The ball goes off the outer half through point for a run.

FOUR! Up and over! Roy gives the ball a bit of air this time but ends up being a bit too full, on middle. Mhatre clears the front leg, gets under the ball and launches it over mid on for his first boundary.

Stays full and on leg. Sanju wrists it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Full and attacking the stumps, Samson watchfully blocks it out with a straight bat.

Bowls it full and this comes in with the arm, on middle. Mhatre clips it to wide long on for a single.

Early exit for the CSK skipper. Ayush Mhatre walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! The lean run continues for Ruturaj Gaikwad. Anukul Roy picks up a key wicket in his first over. This is speared in from around the wicket, full and on the off stump. Gaikwad reaches out in front and goes hard on the sweep. Ruturaj targets the longer of the two square boundaries on the leg side. He is unable to roll his wrists over the ball and a top edge is found. It goes flat to deep mid-wicket, where Rovman Powell moves to his right in the deep and takes a safe catch around his chest.

Ruturaj makes room again. He walks towards the leg side early and Roy pushes it away from the right-hander. Gaikwad is made to reach out and he chops it down on the off side.

Wide! Roy spots Gaikwad backing away. He tries to follow him but drifts well down leg. Ruturaj lets it go.

Change? Yes, time for some spin now as Anukul Roy replaces Vaibhav Arora.

Hurls it on a nagging length, on middle. Ruturaj presses forward and nudges it to the right of mid-wicket for a quick single.

Leg bye! A bit more effort behind this ball from Green. At 139.2 kph, bowled into the wicket, slanting in at the hips. Samson lifts his front leg to pick it up off the hip but fails to lay any bat on it. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes square on the leg side.

No swing on this occasion. This angles into the pads, on a length. Sanju clips it neatly but straight to mid-wicket.

Keeps it full, on off. Gaikwad knocks it down the ground. Ajinkya Rahane swiftly moves to his right at mid off and makes a diving stop. Keeps the batters down to a single.

EDGED, FOUR! A fortuitous boundary for the CSK captain. Green pitches it up again and gets the ball to move away in the air. Gaikwad gets lured into the drive and he pushes away from his body. Gets a thickish outside edge that goes towards short third, where Varun Chakaravarthy flings himself to his left but the ball evades him and races away.

Nice and full this time from Green at 137.8 kph. It curves away in the air and Sanju extends his hands to caress it to deep point for a single.

Two wides! A wayward start from Green. Sprays it down leg, Gaikwad swings at it but fails to connect. Angkrish Raghuvanshi dives to his left and the ball gets parried away off his fingertips. The batters cross over for one.

Vaibhav Arora finished the over well, but still a fine start for CSK. Interestingly, Cameron Green will share the new ball. He has bowled just two overs this season, which came in the last game.

Much better from Vaibhav! On the fuller side, honing in on the off stump. Samson covers the line, presents a straight bat and stabs it down on the off side. 14 runs off the first over. A positive start for CSK.

Angled in on the off stump, on a short of a length. Gaikwad dabs it behind point and gets off the mark with a single. Arora yet to get his lengths right.

On off, on a back of a length, Sanju pats it through point and crosses over.

FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of boundaries in a row. Arora continues to be on the shorter side but the line is tighter this time. This is closer to the off pole. Samson stays leg side of the ball and gets on his toes to steer it wide of short third. It goes uppishly but wide of the man at short third to his left for another boundary.

FOUR MORE! Too short and Samson makes Arora pay. Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Sanju hops and is airborne while playing the cut shot. Hits it hard and well wide of the man at deep backward point to his right.

FOUR! Samson and CSK are up and running! Arora gets the ball to tail back into the right-hander. This is on a hard length, over off. Samson stays back and lets the ball come to him. He opens the bat face and hops to glide it to the right of short third for the first boundary of the night.

All in readiness now! It's a packed crowd here in Chepauk. The home fans are displaying a massive Tifo, with ' All you need is love' written on it. We can now see the two umpires walk out to the middle, followed by the Kolkata Knight Riders players who take up their respective field positions. Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the two openers for Chennai Super Kings. Vaibhav Arora has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Impact sub options for KKR - Manish Pandey, Finn Allen, Tejasvi Singh, Navdeep Saini and Tim Seifert.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Ajinkya Rahane (C), Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (WK), Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy (In for Navdeep Saini), Vaibhav Arora and Kartik Tyagi.

Impact sub options for CSK - Matthew Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer and Matt Henry.

Chennai Super Kings (Unchanged Playing XI) - Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh and Khaleel Ahmed.

Slowly getting the balance right - The skipper of the Chennai Super Kings, Ruturaj Gaikwad mentions that they would have opted to bowl first as well. He adds that the pitch has not changed much over the past couple of games, so the toss is unlikely to have a major impact. That said, he acknowledges that setting a total on this surface could be a challenge. Reflecting on their previous outing, Gaikwad says the bowling unit was excellent, and defending 212 against a strong DC side has given the team a lot of confidence. He also highlights the energy they showed in the field. Ruturaj feels the side is slowly finding the right balance, with Dewald Brevis returning to the setup and Jamie Overton chipping in with the ball. Informs that they are unchanged for this game.

Important to stay positive - Ajinkya Rahane, the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, says that the last game was really good for them, and even though the result didn't go their way, it has given the team a lot of confidence. The knock that Mukul played against them was really special but those things will happen in this format. Rahane mentions that it is an important venue, and it is all about starting fresh. When things are not going your way, it is important to stay positive and have faith in yourself. Further adds that the mega auction does make it challenging to find the right combination and with all the injuries they have, it makes it even more difficult but that's not an excuse. Jinx shares that in T20 cricket, the key is to win the small moments. He ends by saying that he is looking forward to this game, starting well with the ball and then chasing the total down. Also, informs Varun Chakaravarthy is fit and comes back in the team for Navdeep Saini.

TOSS - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane greet each other in the centre. We are all set for the flip of the coin. Rahane calls it correctly. Kolkata Knight Riders opt to BOWL first.

How's Dewald Brevis feeling? Brevis says it feels incredible to be back playing after a tough period on the sidelines. He adds that being able to do what he loves is something truly special. Dewald shares that he focused on conditioning during his time away and has had a good few days getting stronger and back into rhythm. Reflecting on a conversation with his coach last year, Dewald admits he was not in a great space at the time, but remembers that moment vividly. He describes it as the point where his season truly began. Adds that he went back to the basics, reconnecting with who he is as a player. With the support of his coach, Brevis focused on rediscovering his natural game, putting in long hours of training and hitting plenty of balls. He calls that phase a special few days, where everything started to fall back into place, much like how he played as a young boy. Brevis emphasises that being aggressive and hitting sixes has always been part of his DNA growing up, and while he can pick the gaps, his natural instinct is to take the aerial route.

Words from the KKR camp - Cameron Green says that it has been awesome being part of the KKR family. Adds that the staff and the players have been really great. Mentions that on-field, it hasn't quite gone their way, and they desperately need to win some game, but he is hopeful of a turnaround. Green shares that they have had a chat with the whole team about how they are doing things right, but in IPL, any player can win any game for their team, and hopefully, they get on the right side next time. Tells that his body is feeling good, there is nothing like match practice for bowling and says he will be able to bowl four overs in this game. Green ends by saying that he wasn't part of this last year, but from two years ago, teams were getting 270 consistently. Maybe it is early tournament nerves that the scores have been a bit low, but he is optimistic to see how things go from here.

PITCH REPORT - Simon Katich is pitchside. He says that the square boundaries are 70 meters and 63 meters, while the straight hit is 79 meters. WV Raman joins him and says that the pitch looks good and hard, also well rolled on. Adds that there has been good bounce and carry this season, and the batters will enjoy it. Mentions that there have been a couple of 200-plus scores and he expects that trend to continue here. Ends by saying that spinners will not get much help, and the key will be for the pacers to use variations.

Searching for a spark - Winless in their first four games, with just a solitary point coming via a washout, Kolkata Knight Riders have plenty of catching up to do. They return to a venue filled with fond memories, where they clinched their first and third IPL titles in 2012 and 2024, respectively. As they search for their first win of the season, KKR will be hoping this ground can ignite a much-needed turnaround and get their campaign up and running. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Hope rekindled - It was a rough start to the campaign for the new-look CSK outfit, with three defeats in a row before they snapped that streak with a win over the Delhi Capitals. That victory also brought an end to their run of six consecutive losses at home, and they will be looking to paper over the cracks at Chepauk. On the auspicious occasion of the Tamil New Year, the Super Kings will be hoping tonight marks a turning point in their season.

Battle of the bottom dwellers - Two star-studded sides, and two of only three teams in the history of the tournament to have multiple titles to their name, go head-to-head. So far this season, neither has looked anything like the champion outfits they once were. Chepauk plays host as the 9th-placed Chennai Super Kings take on the bottom-placed Kolkata Knight Riders in what is the third game of the season at this venue. 

... MATCH DAY ...

Wounded knights ride into the lion's den - Eight trophies between them. Two of the most storied franchises in the history of IPL, but both going through a rough patch lately, are all set to clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Match 22. It's Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders. The tournament is a quarter done, and neither side can afford to sleepwalk through what lies ahead. CSK, after enduring three consecutive defeats to start their campaign, finally stirred to life last time out, putting together their most complete performance of the season on home soil to open their account. The lion, it seems, is slowly waking up. KKR, however, are in a far grimmer place. The three-time champions sit alone at the foot of the table, the only franchise yet to taste victory this season. Not a single exhale of relief yet. Just a growing weight that gets heavier with a lot of wrinkles yet to be ironed out. Home advantage and momentum - After a quiet start, beginning the season with three back-to-back single-digit scores, Samson delivered a masterclass against DC, smashing a free-flowing 115* to anchor a massive total of 212/2. Samson is now CSK’s leading scorer so far. Right behind him is Ayush Mhatre, quietly building a case for one of the most exciting young players in this tournament. Holding down the crucial number three slot, Mhatre has already struck two half-centuries in four games. For a youngster handed such responsibility by a franchise of CSK’s stature, that is not just a promise. That is proof. Perhaps the most encouraging shift has been in the Powerplay. CSK’s first six overs were a genuine concern heading into this season, but that worry has largely been put to rest. The Super Kings are averaging close to 10 runs an over in the Powerplay, a significant upgrade built on intent and clarity of purpose. Add Sarfaraz Khan at number four into that equation, and CSK’s top order starts to look genuinely settled. Khan brings a rare dual ability to attack when the platform is set and consolidate when the situation demands it. That kind of batting intelligence does not just strengthen the middle order. It takes pressure off the big hitters lower down and gives the entire innings a sense of structure. Captain’s quest for runs - One win does not paper over every crack, and CSK's most pressing concern right now has a name - Ruturaj Gaikwad. The skipper has been uncharacteristically quiet in this campaign. 56 runs across four matches at a strike rate of 103.70 are numbers that simply do not belong to a batter of his calibre. There is a visible caution in his game at the moment that feels at odds with both his natural ability and the aggressive intent his team has otherwise shown at the top. Missing out on most of the 2025 season, and playing just a handful of domestic games, Gaikwad is in desperate search of runs and, more importantly, momentum. Need for improvement - The batting may be finding its groove, but CSK's bowling tells a different story. Jamie Overton has been the bright spark, coming off with the best bowling figures of the season, a stunning 4/18 that underlined his value as a genuine all-rounder. But beyond that one performance, the rest of the attack has struggled to keep up. Anshul Kamboj sits within touching distance of the Purple Cap with eight wickets, but an economy rate of 10.70 means he has been leaking far too many runs along the way. The deeper concern lies with the new ball. CSK have been one of the least effective powerplay bowling units in the competition, while Noor Ahmad, the Super Kings' leading wicket-taker from last season, has looked a shadow of that version of himself, managing just one wicket at an economy of 11.30. Whereas left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh impressed on his IPL debut, hitting the batters high on the bat and surprising them with extra bounce. Winless KKR aim for redemption - If history is any guide, KKR have every reason to believe the season is far from over. In 2021, they stumbled to four defeats in their first five matches and still found a way to march all the way to the final. Their primary issues stem from a severely depleted pace attack and an inconsistent batting order that is still searching for its best configuration. Their problems, however, are real. The pace attack has been severely depleted, with Harshit Rana and Akash Deep ruled out through knee and back injuries, respectively. Matheesha Pathirana, their marquee overseas signing, has only just cleared a fitness test after a calf strain and is expected to rejoin the squad shortly. With the bat, the openers have blown hot and cold. Ajinkya Rahane has been his reliable self at the top, but Finn Allen remains a touch inconsistent despite showing plenty of intent. Their Powerplay numbers, however, have been noteworthy, which is at least one box being ticked. The bright spots - The standout performer with the bat has been Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Scores of 51, 52 and 45 speak to a consistency at number three that is remarkable for someone so young, and his 155 runs make him KKR's leading scorer this season by some distance. Cameron Green, their big-money signing, has been a work in progress. Three underwhelming outings to start, but signs of a turnaround with a 32 last time out, and he also claimed a wicket off the very first ball he bowled this season. Small steps, but steps in the right direction. With the ball, Sunil Narine’s numbers are just exceptional. He might have just two wickets to show in three games, but his economy of just 7.45 competes just behind the likes of Shami and Rashid in that list. And the fact that he is coming off a frugal spell of 1/13 in 4 overs makes KKR believe that a collective performance is right around the corner, with Vaibhav Arora leading the pace attack impressively with responsibility as well. Team form (Last 5 completed matches, recent first) - CSK - WLLLW | KKR - LLLLL. Records at a glance - 20-11. This is what the head-to-head record reads between these two sides since inception, in favour of Chennai Super Kings. But zoom into the recent past, and the picture changes entirely. Since 2021, both sides have won three apiece from six meetings, with an alternating win-loss pattern that has refused to let either side build any kind of momentum over the other. But at Chepauk, the balance shifts back in CSK's favour. Despite losing two of their last three home encounters against KKR, the Super Kings hold a commanding 8 wins to 4 advantage at this venue. What to expect? What might be in CSK’s favour right now is the timing. Two home games on the bounce at Chepauk, where the crowd is a player in itself, and the addition of Dewald Brevis to the mix. The South African powerhouse brings a different dimension to an already potent batting unit. From KKR's perspective, the spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine could hold the key, but there is a catch. Chakravarthy's availability remains uncertain after missing recent games with a finger injury. If he does take the field, the pair make for a formidable combination against CSK specifically. Narine leads all bowlers with 26 wickets against this side, while Chakravarthy sits second on that list with exactly half that number. On a Chennai surface, both on song together could be the difference. However, Chepauk in 2026 is not quite the spin-friendly minefield it once was. The pitch has been actively rewarding stroke-making this season, with three of the four innings played here already crossing the 200-run mark. Expect a high-scoring contest where the team that bats smarter, not just harder, takes the honours.