IPL 2025, KKR vs CSK Live Updates: Must-win game for Kolkata against knocked-out Chennai

KKR vs CSK IPL 2025 Live Updates, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni could be playing his last game at the Eden Gardens

The 43-year-old had started this season as an uncapped wicketkeeper but he was back at the helm of everything for CSK halfway through because of an injury to regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni’s reinstatement as captain did not lead to a magical turnaround in fortunes for the stumbling in CSK and they eventually became the first side to be ruled out of contention for the playoffs. CSK have since been in experimental mode, clearly looking to prepare some young players who could power their recovery next season.

The situation couldn’t be more different for KKR. They somehow survived an almighty scare against the Rajasthan Royals and now need to win all four of their remaining matches to stay in contention for playoffs. It means while CSK have little to nothing riding on today’s match, KKR have everything to lose.

KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit said that he is not too worried about the noise around the match. “I think during these kinds of games, every player and every team is always focused on their own game,” said Pandit. “I mean, that’s sometimes like, if a batter is batting and there is so much noise around and if you ask that batter, probably he will say that ‘I didn’t hear anything about it.”

“It was the same case with me when people used to tell me so much noise around and how you can focus. But sometimes we just ignore that noise automatically. So, obviously when you are focused on the game, it does not matter so much if you ask me,” he said.

KKR’s batting has faltered repeatedly this season, leaving them in a precarious position with just five wins from 11 matches. Pandit however reiterated that the players are not too affected by the pressure. “Always better to tell the boys what positives you have done. It helped you to win the game and you got to carry that. The strength that you have, rather than thinking about the next three games.”

“Looking at the last two games, yes of course (we are peaking). We look ahead to the other two games, very much confident that we will qualify. This is the beauty of this tournament. Ups and downs will be there in a two-month journey,” he said.