CSK vs KKR: The Eden Gardens can be painted in the color of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s yellow jersey as the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings will be the last match to be played on this historic ground on Wednesday. Five -time winner Chennai has already been out of the playoff race, but Dhoni’s charisma is as strong as before and his presence can yellow the home ground of Knight Riders. Kolkata is a city with which Dhoni also has close ties. His in -laws live in this city and have spent most of their time in playing junior cricket in this city. So Wednesday can be an emotional day for players and his fans.
Eden Gardens has been a witness to many achievements of Dhoni, including his first century in first -class cricket and two centuries in Test cricket. He has also played club cricket here, including a memorable P Sen Trophy final for the Shambazar Club. Dhoni’s game is no longer as effective as before. But his fans have an emotional attachment to him and that is why they reach here in large numbers. In the last match, Chennai’s team lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by two runs. Dhoni scored twelve runs in this match but was dismissed on the third ball of the last over, which meant that Chennai’s team could not reach the target. After the match, Dhoni took responsibility for the defeat.
Chennai now has nothing to lose and they will play more openly in this match but the match for Kolkata is done or dying as they have to win the remaining three matches to keep their playoff hopes alive. Kolkata currently has 11 points and if she wins the next three matches, she will have 17 points. Even after reaching here, it cannot be said that their place in the playoffs will be confirmed. Because a lot will depend on the results of other teams and in such a situation the issue can also be connected to the net run rate.
After Chennai, Kolkata has to play domestic matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad and RCB, but currently he will have to maintain a win by one run against Rajasthan Royals. In that match, Andre Russell’s return to the form was important and Ajinkya Rahane -led Kolkata team would expect a similar performance from Venkatesh Iyer, who has been struggling to score runs so far this season.
