History
KKR have won the IPL twice before, while Chennai Super Kings have won the title thrice, These 2 teams have faced off 22 times in total, with CSK winning 13 of those, and KKR winning 8, with one match being abandoned. CSK had won the last 3 matches between these teams in a row before this season, however KKR managed to beat them by 10 runs when they met earlier this season.
Team News
CSK started the IPL in great fashion, by beating the favourites Mumbai Indians, however they have struggled massively ever since. Missing key players, they lost back to back matches against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, and were near the bottom of the league table.
However a comprehensive victory over KXIP had elevated them to the 5th spot, as their openers completely decimated the opposition. But then, the batting again failed as they failed to chase down a moderate score against KKR. This has become a recurring issue for Chennai as their top-order failed against RCB as well.
However, they bounced back strongly with a 20 run win over SRH, before succumbing to a damaging defeat against the table-toppers DC. This was followed by another pathetic and one-sided defeat against fellow strugglers Rajasthan Royals. Further humiliation followed against table-toppers Mumbai Indians as CSK failed to score beyond 125 for a second game in a row, and lost by 10 wickets. They bounced back strongly with a comfortable chase against RCB.
KKR had a nightmare start to the tournament in contrast, being thrashed by Mumbai Indians in their opening game. However, they bounced back very well with impressive victories over Rajasthan Royals Sunrisers. Shubman Gill is back to top form now, but the most encouraging aspect of KKR currently is the brilliant form of their young Indian bowlers- Nagarkoti, Mavi and Varun, which makes them a very balanced side going ahead in the tournament.
They won their next game against Chennai with a narrow margin after a spirited bowling performance. KKR then clinched a thriller against KXIP by just 2 runs, as captain Dinesh Karthik finally produced the goods to take his team home. However, KKR were hammered by 82 runs against RCB, and followed that up with another crushing defeat against Mumbai Indians. In true unpredictable fashion, they bounced back straight away with an assured display against SRH in the following match to win their 5th match this season.
However, they followed that up with their worst performance of the season as they could manage to score just 84 runs against RCB in a shattering defeat. They bounced straight back with a very impressive victory over high-flying Delhi Capitals, before losing in a one-sided match against in-form KXIP.
Betting Preview, Picks And Prediction
To Win The Match
KKR are the favourites to win the match with odds of 1.72 as per LeoVegas, which is a bit surprising considering they have also lost 3 of their last 5 matches. We believe this is because CSK are bottom of the table, and they are 2.10 to win this match, which might be possible as they looked dominant in their previous match.
Top Team Batsman
Faf Du Plessis is the favourite from CSK to be the top scorer, with odds of 3.75, while his fellow opener Shane Watson, who was the top scorer in the previous match, has odds of 4.50. The impressive Rayudu has odds of 4.00, and would be looking bounce back with a solid innings.
Youngster Shubman Gill is again the favourite to be KKR’s top scorer in this match, as he is widely considered to be their most consistent batsman and played a brilliant innings in a couple of matches, and has odds of 3.75 England captain Morgan and fellow middle-order batsman Nitish Rana both have odds of 4.50.
Highest Opening Partnership
CSK are favourites at 1.84 to have the highest opening partnership as Gaekwad finally produced the goods in the previous match. He along with Du Plessis can post a big partnership up top.
Top Team Bowler
Sam Curran is the favourite from CSK to be the top bowler at 4.00, followed by experienced leggie Piyush Chawla at 5.00, Josh Hazelwood at 4.50 and Chahar at 4.50.
The most expensive purchase at this season’s auction, Pat Cummins is the favourite to be the top bowler from KKR at 4.00, followed by Lockie Ferguson at 3.75 and Sunil Narine at 4.50.
Total Runs In The Match
Odds of there being more than 328.5 runs in this match are 1.71, as per LeoVegas. This seems highly achievable as both these teams have some brilliant batsmen and have scored plenty of runs this season.
Individual Player Betting
- Du Plessis to score more than 26.5 runs has odds of 1.87, which is also a tempting bet as he would like end his poor run with a fine innings. Nitish Rana to score more than 26.5 runs also has odds of 1.87, which is also a tempting bet as he would like to continue his current form.
- KKR to hit the most sixes has odds of 2.00, which is understandable as they have Morgan and Rana, who prefer the aerial route more often than not. CSK to hit the most sixes has odds of 2.10, which can be tempting with Dhoni, Watson and Du Plessis all capable of hitting many sixes.
- Cummins to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 2.30, which is attractive as he can snap up key middle-over wickets. Curran to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 2.40, which is attractive as he can bowl in the powerplay as well as death overs.
Our Top Betting Picks
- CSK to win the match @2.10
- KKR to hit the most sixes @2.00
- CSK to have the Highest Opening Partnership @1.84
- Cummins to take 2 or more wickets @2.30
