MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai – April 11, 2025: The iconic Chepauk stadium is all set for a blockbuster IPL 2025 encounter as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 25 of the season. With both teams looking to strengthen their position on the points table, this clash promises high-intensity cricket and thrilling moments under the lights.
Toss Update: Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and opted to field first.
Speaking at the toss, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane said, “We’ve decided to bowl first. The pitch looks a bit tacky and we expect it to ease out later. The boys are confident, and we’re looking forward to a strong show tonight.”
In response, CSK captain MS Dhoni stated, “We would’ve liked to bowl first as well, but it’s a good opportunity for our batters to put runs on the board. We’re playing some good cricket and want to continue that momentum at home.”
Team Line-ups:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (WK), Ajinkya Rahane (C), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Pitch and Conditions:
The MA Chidambaram surface is known for offering assistance to spinners, but with a fresh track today, pacers might get some initial movement. Dew is expected to play a role in the second innings, which could be a decisive factor in KKR’s decision to chase.
Head-to-Head:
In their last five encounters, CSK have had the upper hand with 3 wins, while KKR have managed to come out on top twice. With fierce rivalries and big names on both sides, this match holds crucial implications for the mid-season standings.
What’s at Stake:
Both teams are neck-and-neck on the points table, making this a must-win clash to stay ahead in the playoff race. With MS Dhoni leading CSK possibly for one last IPL season and Ajinkya Rahane rejuvenating KKR’s approach, fans are in for a thriller.
