Chennai Super Kings Face Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026 Clash

In the 22nd match of IPL 2026, Chennai Super Kings, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, face off against Kolkata Knight Riders, captained by Ajinkya Rahane. With both teams struggling for form, this match is crucial for their standings. CSK is looking to bounce back from a disappointing start, while KKR seeks their first win of the season. Key players like MS Dhoni remain sidelined, adding to the intrigue of this encounter. Discover the playing XIs and insights as the teams prepare for battle.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 14, 2026, 19:26 IST

Match Overview

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, are set to take on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Ajinkya Rahane, in the 22nd match of IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. KKR won the toss and chose to bowl first, making a strategic change by bringing back Varun Chakaravarthy in place of Navdeep Saini. CSK, however, opted to keep their lineup unchanged.

Rahane expressed confidence in his team's performance, stating, "We are looking to bowl first. The last match was promising for us, even though the outcome wasn't favorable. The confidence gained from that game is crucial. It's essential to maintain belief and positivity, especially when facing challenges. We aim to start strong with our bowling and then chase down the target effectively."

Gaikwad echoed similar sentiments, noting, "We would have chosen to bowl first as well. The pitch hasn't altered significantly, so the difference is minimal. Setting a substantial total in the first innings will be tough, but the surface looks promising. Defending a score of 210 against a formidable DC side was commendable, and we hope to replicate that success today."

MS Dhoni remains sidelined due to a calf strain and is not included in the playing XI. Initially expected to miss the first two weeks of the tournament, he has yet to regain fitness. Currently, CSK sits in ninth place on the IPL 2026 points table with just one win from four matches, accumulating two points and an NRR of -1.532. KKR, on the other hand, is still searching for their first victory, having lost three out of four matches, with one point from a washed-out game against Punjab Kings.

Playing XIs for Both Teams

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain), Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Khaleel Ahmed

Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi