Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders IPL Tips: CSK to add to KKR misery

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Tuesday 14 April,15:00
TV: Sky Sports

Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders IPL team news

Chennai Super Kings are up and running after snapping a three-game losing sequence by beating Delhi Capitals. It was a result that suggests Chennai should be competitive this season.

Their three defeats came against Royals, Punjab and Bangalore, the three best in the divison. So predictions of gloom seem to have made prematurely. They were strong against Delhi and have a good enough balance to cause teams problems.

A return to form from Sanju Samson, who hit a ton in that game, is welcome, Ruturaj Gaikwad should get going at some stage, too. The use of Jamie Overton, by the way, suggests this is not a traditional spin paradise at the Chepauk. Overton is a hit-the-deck bowler and he's key for them.

Possible XI: Samson, Gaikwad, Mhatra (sub Akeal), Brevis, Dube, Sarfaraz, Overton, Noor, Anshul, G Singh, Khaleel

Kolkata Knight Riders have lost three times with rain saving them from a probable fourth loss against Punjab Kings. They seemed to be waiting for Cameron Green to be available as an all-rounder to say 'our season starts now'. What a folly that proved to be.

The idea that Green's sudden ability to bowl four overs would transform their fortunes was laughable. So it proved against Lucknow when his 12 balls costs a mammoth 28. Dropping Green for Rachin Ravindra is the smart move but they won't do that. Blessing Muzarabani has been axed for more batting firepower. KKR are in a mess and could badly do with some control if they can get Varun Chakravarthy fit again.

Possible XI: Rahane, Allen (Arora), Raghuvanshi, Green, Rinku, Powell, Ramandeep, Anukul, Narine, Saini, Tyagi

Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders IPL pitch report

The Chepauk surface doesn't appear to be the slow, turgid spin paradise of old. It looked a flat deck in the World Cup and it has looked similar in IPL. CSK posted 212 against Delhi. In the previous game both teams made more than 200 as Punjab chased with ease. This is a flat one. 

We do have to be wary about both teams to score markets here, though, because KKR are not to be trusted. They have struggled even at Eden Gardens for runs. Going over a 20-over par line in the mid 190s for Chennai if they bat first could make sense. 

Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders IPL match prediction

This should be defeat No 4 for a disorganised, dull-witted KKR. The match-odds market on the Betfair Exchange agrees although perhaps not as readily as it should. The 1.845/6 about Chennai taking the points is still value.

if we forget the KKR mess for a moment and focus on the CSK bowling, that should serve as clear pointer to expected dominance. Overton is a canny operator while the twin spin options of Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad offer a threat. Simply, the home bowling is superior.

Deriviatives on the Chennai win which have appeal are with most sixes at 7/42.75 and even money that both teams score 160. Even KKR should be capable of that. 

Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders player bets

Sunil Narine has been spoken of as a potential opener by KKR skip Ajinkya Rahane. What that solves is a mystery, though,m and further exposes muddled thinking. But we have to be alive to Narine as a top bat with the 17s offered by Sportsbook. Ruturaj Gaikwad is due a top-bat win at 11/43.75. he is very much in the win zone and we expect his class to tell at some stage. 

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