Big Picture: Defending Champions in a Series of Last Stands
For the past ten days, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have lived by a simple motto: one game at a time. A vital away win over Delhi Capitals (DC) and a narrow home victory against Rajasthan Royals (RR) have kept them alive in the IPL 2025 playoffs race. With three games left, KKR must win all of them to reach 17 points, and even then, qualification isn’t guaranteed.
While questions remain over their middle-order depth and the use of the fourth overseas slot, KKR has started to turn the tide from difficult situations. In Delhi, it was Sunil Narine’s double-wicket over that halted Faf du Plessis’ momentum and triggered a DC slide. Against RR, Andre Russell dragged them from a stuttering batting effort to a winning total, though only by one run in the end. Varun Chakravarthy continues to pose threats with the ball, while the openers are finding their synergy.
But as the finish line becomes visible, so does the pressure. And now, come MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The match will bring visible contrasts: the yellow of CSK and the purple of KKR. CSK’s narrow two-run loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) showed they aren’t out of the race yet. As five-time champions, they would be desperate to bring some respectability to their campaign as it begins to wind down.
When these two teams met earlier in the season, it was a one-sided affair as CSK managed just 103 for 9, with Narine dominating with both bat (44) and ball (3 for 13). At Eden Gardens, the battle between the slow bowlers could once again prove decisive, with quality spinners on both sides, although form isn’t on CSK’s side.
The motivations for both sides are vastly different, and it will be interesting to see which narrative prevails.
Form Guide: CSK Keen to Avoid a Fifth Straight Loss
- Kolkata Knight Riders: WWLLW
- Chennai Super Kings: LLLLW
The Big Question: Who Should KKR’s Fourth Overseas Player Be?
KKR has been experimenting with different combinations, but their fourth overseas player remains a puzzle. Rovman Powell has muscle but has been batting too low at No. 8. Moeen Ali, as a floater, hasn’t given the team much, and his offspin is very dependent on match-ups. With a young opening pair expected for CSK, is it time to bring in the pace of Anrich Nortje or Spencer Johnson instead?
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