KKR vs CSK: The battles to watch out for

After a comprehensive defeat against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the playoff prospects for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are all but over. In their last away match of the season, it is more about pride than points. For CSK, the playoffs seem inevitable at this stage, which means that the game against KKR is unlikely to be Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s last on home turf (both the qualifier and the first eliminator are in Chennai). However, that does not mean they will relent against Kolkata, who have managed several wins at the fortress of the Yellow Army over the years, including their sensational triumph in the 2012 final.

In the reverse fixture this season, CSK piled on 234 runs on the board at the Eden Gardens, with a scintillating 71 not out from former Knight Ajinkya Rahane. In reply, KKR could only manage 186, with Jason Roy and Rinku Singh scoring commendable fifties.

Before KKR and CSK go at it again in IPL 2023, My Kolkata identifies the key battles that will separate the winners from the losers

Rinku Singh versus Matheesha Pathirana

Rinku Singh will have his task cut out in trying to send Matheesha Pathirana’s yorkers beyond the fence

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At one end, you have one of the most dependable finishers in the IPL this season. At the other, you have a blooming talent who is developing a special relationship with the block-hole. Rinku versus Pathirana is one of those battles that might only come to fruition for half an over during the game, but has the potential to turn the tide of the match. While Rinku’s aim will be to hit as straight as possible, Pathirana’s propensity for yorkers might force KKR’s finisher-in-chief to be more inventive.

Andre Russell versus Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja and Andre Russell are still the linchpins for their respective teams when it comes to the all-rounders’ department

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The key all-rounders for both franchises are in a rich vein of form and will be crucial to the outcome of the match, not least in the showdowns against each other. Russell is yet to be dismissed in IPL cricket by Jadeja, even though he has only scored at a strike rate of 128 against the southpaw. Jadeja, for his part, has also not given his wicket away to Russell in past meetings, but has a far better strike rate against the West Indian, scoring at almost 155.

Sunil Narine versus Devon Conway

Sunil Narine’s extra pace means that Devon Conway will have to think twice before bringing out his trademark sweeps

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Yes, we all want to see Narine pit his skills against Dhoni for possibly the last time ever, but a far more important clash should involve Narine and the Kiwi opener who has been fundamental to CSK’s success. One of the few foreigners who is more comfortable against spin than pace in Indian conditions, Conway will be looking to pull the sweep out at every possible opportunity. But sweeping against Narine’s extra pace might prove tricky, which means that the left-hander will need to use the depth and width of the crease to navigate KKR’s most decorated bowler.