CRICKET

IPL 2023 Predictions: KKR vs CSK

Published

2 years ago

April 23, 2023

admin

Kolkata Knight Riders will clash with Chennai Super Kings in the 33rd match of the Indian Premier League 2023 at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday (April 23).

CSK are in third place in the standings with eight points in six games, whereas Kolkata sit on the eighth position with four points in six matches.

KKR had a good start to this tournament but they had failed to continue the winning momentum and lost to relatively weaker teams like SRH, MI and DC.

KKR have faced CSK in 28 matches and have won 10 matches while CSK has emerged victors 18 times.

CSK won they last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad as they defeated the Aiden Markram-led side comfortably.

On the other hand, Kolkata lost their previous game to the David Warner-led Delhi Capitals.

The two-time champions would be keen on getting back to winning ways when they take on Chennai next.

After a rocky start to the IPL 2023, CSK’s 31-year-old Devon Conway has swiftly picked up on his form.

With 258 runs in six games so far, and an unbeaten knock of 77 runs in his previous game, Conway looks good to put in another fabulous performance vs KKR.

Narine and Chakravarthy will play a vital role in the KKR bowling attack.

Jason Roy will be Kolkata’s best hope in the top order along with Venkatesh Iyer.

Russell, Rinku Singh, and Thakur can all hit the long ball in the lower order and help push the KKR total beyond 200.

Though there are some quality pacers in this squad such as Lockie Ferguson, Umesh Yadav, and Shardul Thakur, they haven’t been at their best.

Tim Southee could come in for Jason Roy as the impact player when KKR take the field.

Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner is in good form and took 2 wickets at an economy rate of 4.25 in the previous game against DC.

MS Dhoni could end up using all 4 of his overseas players in the starting XI.

Apart from Conway, Moeen Ali is a certainty as he provides depth to the batting and is a bowling option as well.

The Sri Lankan pair of Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana also impressed with the ball in the previous game.

However, given the nature of the pitch, Deepak Chahar could replace Tushar Deshpande.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is their batting mainstay. Currently, he is in sixth position for the orange cap with a total of 235 runs.

Akash Singh is a promising young bowler in the CSK squad who can get the new ball to move and nip early on.

The pitch at Eden Gardens is generally good for batting, with a good bounce and pace.

However, it can also assist spinners as the game progresses, especially in the later part of the match.

The boundary length at Eden Gardens is around 77 meters, which is slightly larger than the average boundary length for cricket grounds.

Probable XIs:

Kolkata Knight Riders: Jason Roy, Venkatesh Iyer, N Jagadeesan (wk), Nitish Rana (c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakaravarthy

Chennai Super Kings: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Singh

Who will win

KKR’s biggest problem has been the lack of batting consistency.

They have relied on individual brilliance to gather their points.

Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana have played some outstanding innings but Sunil Narine, Russell and Jagadeesan have turned out to be damp squibs.

What’s worse, when one batter clicks, the others have collectively failed.

As a result, KKR has not shown the kind of solidity needed to put together a series of wins.

Hence, we feel CSK are the firm favourites to win this match.

BIG NEWS

Janakpur Bolts Clinch Victory in Inaugural Nepal Premier League Final

Published

10 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Maadhav

Nepal Premier League Final! Janakpur Bolts clinched the inaugural Nepal Premier League title by defeating Sudurpaschim Royals in a thrilling final. The Bolts showcased remarkable resilience, chasing down a target of 187 runs with five wickets in hand at the TU International Cricket Ground.

Sudurpaschim Royals, batting first, set a competitive total of 184 for nine wickets, led by Saif Zaib and Binod Bhandari. Zaib scored a solid 69 runs, while Bhandari added a crucial 41. However, their middle order failed to capitalize on a strong start, succumbing to disciplined bowling from Janakpur’s attack.

Kishor Mahato and Mohammad Mohisin starred with the ball for Janakpur, each claiming three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi bowled an exceptional spell, conceding just 15 runs, including a maiden over. Their efforts restricted Sudurpaschim from posting a more imposing total.

In response, Janakpur’s Lahiru Milantha led the charge with a stunning 87 runs off 49 balls, including six fours and as many sixes. His innings anchored the chase, despite early pressure from Sudurpaschim’s bowlers. Aasif Sheikh, the Janakpur captain, played a vital supporting role, ensuring a composed finish.

This victory is a milestone for Nepali cricket, highlighting the league’s competitiveness and its potential to elevate local talent. Fans celebrated the intense final, hopeful for the league’s promising future.

CRICKET

Captains Gear Up for NPL Final Showdown

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Maadhav

Captains Share Strategies Ahead of NPL Final

The stage is set for the highly anticipated NPL final between Sudurpaschim Royals and Janakpur Bolts at TU International Cricket Ground. Both captains expressed their excitement and shared their strategies during a pre-match press conference, building anticipation for the thrilling clash in the NPL Final.

Sudurpaschim Royals captain Dipendra Singh Airee stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and playing with determination. He assured fans the team was fully prepared to deliver their best performance. Airee highlighted teamwork as the key to their successful journey to the final.

Janakpur Bolts captain Aasif Sheikh reflected on their previous losses to Sudurpaschim but emphasized a strong mental approach for the final. Sheikh urged his players to focus on executing their skills under pressure and remain confident despite the challenges. He also acknowledged the significance of fan support, calling on supporters to cheer positively for both teams.

Both captains praised the contributions of Nepali players in their squads, emphasizing their pivotal role in the tournament’s success. They also encouraged a spirit of sportsmanship and appreciation for the growing standards of Nepali cricket.

The final promises an exhilarating contest as two formidable teams compete for the championship title. Fans can expect a captivating battle between Sudurpaschim’s consistency and Janakpur’s determination. The match is scheduled to start at 12:15 PM, with cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the outcome.

CRICKET

Janakpur Bolts Secure Spot in NPL Final to Face Sudurpaschim Royals

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Maadhav

Janakpur Bolts in the NPL final! Janakpur Bolts defeated Karnali Yaks by two wickets in the Nepal Premier League (NPL) Qualifier 2 to secure their spot in the final. Chasing a modest target of 119 runs, Janakpur overcame early setbacks and achieved victory in 19 overs, finishing with eight wickets down.

New Zealand batter Jimmy Neesham played a pivotal role, scoring a rapid 45 runs off just 17 balls. His innings included two fours and five sixes before being dismissed by Bipin Sharma. Contributions from Mayan Yadav (14 runs) and Sher Malla (16 runs not out) also proved crucial in the lower order.

Earlier, Karnali Yaks struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 118 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Gulshan Jha top-scored for Karnali with 25 runs off 20 balls, while Dev Khanal added 24. Janakpur’s bowlers, including Lalit Rajbanshi, Jimmy Neesham, and Muhammad Mohsin, each picked up two wickets to restrict the opposition.

Janakpur’s journey to the final wasn’t without challenges. They suffered a defeat against Sudurpaschim Royals in Qualifier 1, forcing them into this must-win game. Despite an unsteady start, with key players like Aasif Sheikh and Lahiru Milantha departing early, the team showed resilience under pressure.

The final, set for Saturday, will feature Janakpur Bolts facing Sudurpaschim Royals in what promises to be an intense battle. Both teams, having proven their mettle throughout the season, are eager to clinch the prestigious NPL title.