It is the clash between the two best teams of IPL 2021. CSK will take on KKR in this all-mighty clash to win the coveted trophy. The men in yellow will be up against a strong KKR outfit who have won 7 out of their 9 games in the UAE. It is a repeat of the 2012 IPL final where KKR came up trumps. Will history repeat itself or CSK bag a 4th title? lets analyze more about CSK vs KKR Match.

CSK vs KKR: Form Preview

Consistent Super Kings:

The Chennai Super Kings became the first team to qualify for the playoffs 11 times in 12 seasons. They staged a stunning recovery from last year when they finished 7th in the points table. CSK didn’t just stop there, they stormed into the finals for the record 9th time. The yellow brigade seized crucial moments in qualifier 1 against Delhi to book a place in the finals. Nobody had given CSK a chance at the start of the season to even qualify for the playoffs. But here they are standing tall in the quest for a 4th IPL title. 

Chennai will have to be wary of the fact that they will be up against a side who have steamrolled opponents into submission. It won’t be easy for 3-time champions, CSK against 2-time winners, KKR in the battle Royale.

KKR gunning for glory:

Kolkata Knight Riders have set the UAE leg on fire with a string of impressive performances. They have now won 7 out of their 9 games here in the UAE. Their strong net run-rate helped them edge over Mumbai Indians to qualify for the playoffs. They put a clinical performance in the eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore to march head in the playoffs. 

KKR continued their scintillating display with a clinical win over table-toppers, Delhi Capitals. KKR have marched into their 3rd IPL final. They are the only team in the IPL to have a 100% win record in the finals. KKR will be eager to maintain that slate when they face 9-time finalists, CSK in the winner takes it all contest.

This is where it gets tricky for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The only team they haven’t defeated even once this season is CSK. KKR will need to get more from their middle-order if they are to stretch the Super Kings deep. It promises to be an enthralling contest.

CSK vs KKR: Favourites?

Chennai hold a slight psychological edge over KKR as they have defeated them twice already this season. But KKR have shown already that they don’t carry any baggage. They have come from the 7th spot in the points table all the way to the finals. There is very little to choose between these two teams in this epic encounter.

Which players will be match-winners in this game?

Moeen Ali has had a great season so far for CSK this season. He will be the key for CSK.

Sunil Narine has a great match-up against CSK and MS Dhoni especially. 

X-factor player:

Ravindra Jadeja has been KKR’s nemesis. He is in great form. Jadeja will be CSK’s X-factor.

Varun Chakravarthy has dismissed Dhoni 3 times in the last 3 games. He will be KKR’s trump card in this game.

Probable Playing XI:

Chennai Super Kings predicted XI:

Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazelwood

Kolkata Knight Riders predicted XI:

Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine,  Shivam Mavi, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy

What do stats say about CSK vs KKR?

CSK and KKR and have played 25 IPL games against each other.

CSK has won 16 games. KKR has won 8 matches. 1 game ended up in a no-result.

CSK’s highest score against KKR is 220. KKR’s highest score against CSK is 202. 

CSK’s lowest score against KKR is 114. KKR’s lowest score against CSK is 108.

Pitch:

The Dubai pitch does offer a bit for everyone. The batsmen can trust the true bounce. There will be swing early on. But if the openers are able to ride the early challenge then they might be in for a big knock. It is only fair that the final is played at a venue that doesn’t offer anyone an undue advantage.

Weather Report:

A high of 36 degrees and a low of 26 degrees is expected. There are no chances of rain. Dew might not play a big factor in Dubai. 

Ground stats:

A total of 68 matches has been played at this venue. Teams batting first have won 35 games while chasing teams have won 32. The average scoring batting first at this venue is 144. On the other hand, the average 2nd innings score is a paltry 122. Anything above 160 will be a par score batting first.

StumpsandBails verdict:

It is a battle between two IPL giants. The one who holds the nerves will emerge victorious in the finals.