Chennai Super Kings host Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday as the TN-based side look to pick up their second win o the bounce after having got off the mark against Delhi Capitals in their previous engagement.
Legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin opined that CSK will have the edge over misfiring KKR, who are yet to pick up their first win of the tournament.
“For the first time this season, CSK will head into a game this season as favourites,” Ashwin said.
“Chennai have the opportunity to give themselves an edge in the eventual mid-table muddle they might find themselves in, if they beat KKR at home and SRH in their subsequent fixture,” the former CSK player said.
“Unless KKR take the power play away from CSK and
pile pressure on them, I don’t see Chennai struggling in the game, he added.
“Chennai have found their best combination and I’d like to see how Akeal Hosein continues. I’d also consider Shreyas Gopal, who has had a fabulous domestic season,” he added.
“If the wicket is a red-soil wicket, we can do with the same combination, but if is a black soil wicket, we can consider bringing in another spinner, perhaps,” he added.
CSK registered their first win of IPL 2026 at the fourth attempt with a 23-run victory over DC, posting 212 and then bowling the visitors out for 189.
Sanju Samson and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad gave CSK a strong start, adding 62 in the powerplay before Gaikwad fell to Axar Patel for 18 off 15. Ayush Mhatre then joined Samson, playing a steady innings while Samson accelerated past fifty, punishing the DC bowlers with frequent boundaries.
Samson and Mhatre added 113 runs, during which Mhatre reached another fifty this season before retiring hurt, bringing Shivam Dube to the crease. Samson brought up his century with a boundary and celebrated with the home crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Dube scored 20 at the death, while Samson finished unbeaten on a sparkling 115 off 56 balls, with fifteen fours and four sixes, taking CSK to a formidable 212.
In reply, DC were restricted to 189 in 20 overs. Jamie Overton starred with the ball for CSK, taking four crucial wickets, while Anshul Kamboj supported with three wickets. Despite a half-century from Tristan Stubbs and 41 from Pathum Nissanka, DC fell short as CSK completed a commanding win.
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