The Indian Premier League 2025 moves into a crucial stage as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) face off against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 57 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on May 7. With playoff hopes hanging in the balance for KKR, this encounter promises high drama and intense competition. Meanwhile, CSK, already out of the playoff race, will look to play spoilers and restore pride.
Match Preview: KKR vs CSK
KKR sits in sixth position on the points table, with five wins, five losses, and one no-result. A win here is essential for their playoff chances. On the other hand, CSK has had a disappointing campaign, managing only two victories in eleven games. Despite being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they have the opportunity to end the season positively and challenge their opponents’ playoff path.
Eden Gardens Pitch Report and Weather
The Eden Gardens pitch has traditionally favored batters with its even bounce and short boundaries. The average first innings score here is around 168, but scores over 200 have also been chased. The team winning the toss might opt to bat first given the pressure of a must-win match.
Weather conditions are expected to be hazy with a temperature hovering around 35°C and 52% humidity. Dew might play a role in the second innings, influencing captaincy decisions
Predicted Playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
- Sunil Narine
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Ajinkya Rahane (c)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russellq
- Rovman Powell
- Anukul Roy
- Harshit Rana
- Vaibhav Arora
- Impact Sub: Varun Chakravarthy
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
- Shaik Rasheed
- Ayush Mhatre
- Sam Curran
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dewald Brevis
- Shivam Dube
- Deepak Hooda/Urvil Patel
- MS Dhoni (c & wk)
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Noor Ahmad
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Impact Sub: Anshul Kamboj
Top Dream11 Fantasy Picks
Sunil Narine (KKR)
A vital all-rounder, Narine brings balance to any Dream11 team. He’s contributed both with the bat and ball, with 185+ runs and 10 wickets in recent games.
Ayush Mhatre (CSK)
One of the few bright spots for CSK this season, Mhatre has been in excellent form, scoring 160+ runs in his last few outings.
Varun Chakravarthy (KKR)
With 15 wickets in 11 games, Chakravarthy remains KKR’s leading spinner and could play a pivotal role on the spinning Eden track.
Ravindra Jadeja (CSK)
A dependable fantasy asset, Jadeja offers contributions across departments and can swing games with either bat or ball.
Dream11 Captain and Vice-Captain Picks
- Captain Choice: Sunil Narine
- Vice-Captain Choice: Ayush Mhatre
Dream11 Team Prediction: KKR vs CSK
Wicketkeeper:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters:
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Ayush Mhatre
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
All-rounders:
- Sunil Narine (C)
- Andre Russellq
- Ravindra Jadeja (VC)
- Sam Curran
Bowlers:
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Harshit Rana
Note: Always check final line-ups and toss updates before confirming your Dream11 team.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win?
KKR are the favorites heading into this fixture, especially with home advantage and higher stakes. Their balanced line-up and recent form give them an edge. However, CSK, with nothing to lose, could surprise if key players perform freely. If KKR bat first, a total around 200–215 could tilt the match decisively in their favor.
Final Word
With Dream11 users eager to maximize their points in this high-stakes clash, choosing the right all-rounders and key bowlers could be the difference. KKR vs CSK has all the makings of a thriller, and Dream11 players shouldq be prepared with backups in case of last-minute line-up changes.