A big match awaits us at Chepauk as Chennai Super Kings host Kolkata Knight Riders. Both  the teams have played five matches each and CSK have managed just one win, while KKR  have picked up two victories. This clash feels like a much bigger game for CSK. 

They started strong with a win in their opener, but since then, it’s been a downward spiral— four consecutive losses, including at home, where they’ve really struggled. On the other  hand, KKR have shown some fight, winning two of their last four. 

For CSK, this match isn’t just about points—it’s about reigniting their campaign in front of  their home fans, building momentum, and restoring some much-needed confidence. So  how do they turn things around? 

Well, despite the loss in their last outing, there were a few encouraging signs. Chasing a  daunting 219, they managed to reach 201 for 5—no small feat for a side that’s been  struggling to even post 180 consistently. 

One of the big positives was the return of Devon Conway at the top of the order. I’ve  mentioned it in my previous pieces—he had to open. And now that he’s back in that role,  it’s already making a difference. His 69 in the last match was not just a personal boost but  a potential turning point for CSK’s top order. If he can build on that, it could inject some  much-needed stability and confidence into the team. 

One major blow to them is Ruturaj Gaikwad is out with injury and will not take part any  further this season. MS Dhoni returns as captain and this might just be the blessing in  disguise, a sparkle that they needed at this stage of the season. 

To be honest, even with Gaikwad officially leading, Dhoni has always played a vital role on  the field. He’s constantly setting fields, guiding the bowlers, and staying in the ears of  senior players. His presence is magnetic—he leads, whether or not he wears the captain’s  armband. Now that he’s back at the helm officially, it could reinvigorate the squad and  bring back some of that trademark CSK composure and strategy. 

The captain has often leaned on Dhoni for guidance anyway, so tactically, not much will  change on the field. But now, with the leadership mantle officially back on his shoulders,  Dhoni also takes on the broader responsibility of rallying the team.

And honestly, I don’t see that as anything but a positive. It may be a short-term shift, but it  could be exactly what CSK needs right now—a spark. 

That’s the key word: spark. This unexpected twist might just ignite something special. It  could fuel inspired performances, restore belief in the dressing room, and bring back the  confidence that’s been missing. 

It’s undoubtedly a big move. And while it’s unfortunate for Gaikwad—especially given how  highly he’s rated as a future leader—this could be the moment CSK looks back on as the  turning point of their season. Now, it’s about building from here and making a real push. 

If Ruturaj was playing, I would have still stuck with him opening with Conway and bringing  Rachin Ravindra at number 3, with Shivam Dube at No. 4. But things have changed now  with the injury and we might see the two Black Caps continue to open. To me, Stephen  Fleming and his coaching staff are clearly trying to piece together a top order that can  finally click— and right now, this combination might be their best bet. 

Dube remains a key player, whether he starts in the XI or comes in as an impact sub. His  ability to shift gears makes him vital to CSK’s middle-order strategy. And interestingly,  circumstances are pushing MS Dhoni up the order—a move that could actually work in  CSK’s favor. His experience and calm under pressure might just be what they need to  steady the innings. 

I still believe Dhoni has plenty to offer—getting him up the order allows him to make a  greater impact, even if he can’t face as many deliveries as he once did. When he’s pushed  up, he’s shown he can still contribute meaningfully, and those cameos can make a  difference. 

His impact shouldn’t just be limited to leadership. Now that he’s back at the helm, it’s  crucial he continues to play a key role with the bat. Sometimes, when captaining, there’s a  tendency to hold yourself back for the team’s sake. But if the situation calls for it, Dhoni  needs to step in early—regardless of the title next to his name. His presence and  experience could be the difference in tight moments, and CSK must make full use of both  his mind and his bat. 

On the bowling front, Matheesha Pathirana has been a bit underwhelming lately, especially  at the death, which has hurt CSK’s ability to contain big totals. Given the slower nature of  the Chepauk pitch, they might consider a change. Bringing in someone like Sam Curran 

could be a smart move—not just for his left-arm variation and clever cutters, but also to  bolster the batting lineup with a handy left-hander in the middle order. 

That could be something they seriously consider for this game. But looking at the team as a  whole—both with the bat and ball—they’re just not playing at their full potential. There’s a  noticeable dip in form and confidence across the board. 

Their spin attack, typically a strength, has been underwhelming. Led by Noor Ahmad, with  R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in support, you’d expect more—especially on pitches that  have offered some, albeit limited, assistance. Yet, in their last outing at Chepauk, none of  those three spinners even completed their full quota of four overs. That’s definitely a  concern. 

Ultimately, CSK needs a collective performance. They can’t rely on isolated contributions  anymore—it’s time the entire unit clicks. 

One thing’s for sure—CSK will need to bring their A-game to overcome a KKR side that’s  been playing some solid cricket.  

KKR have certainly had their moments this season. One positive move I’ve been advocating  for—and was glad to finally see in the last game—is Venkatesh Iyer batting at No. 4. That, in  my view, is a real step in the right direction. 

Don’t get me wrong—youngsters like Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ramandeep Singh have  been impressive and are fantastic additions to the squad. But Venkatesh has the  experience and presence to truly own that No. 4 spot. He needs to boss that position and  be the anchor around which the middle order revolves. 

Also, I’d love to see Rinku Singh pushed a bit higher up the order. He’s more than just a  finisher—he has the temperament and skill to influence games earlier and play a bigger  role in setting up or chasing totals. 

Andre Russell, to be fair, has been underwhelming with the bat so far. He hasn’t delivered  the kind of match-defining performances KKR count on from him. And with that in mind,  there’s no reason Rinku Singh can’t be promoted further up the order. He’s shown time  and again that he has the maturity and shot-making ability to handle greater responsibility. 

As for Ajinkya Rahane, he’s been outstanding. His captaincy has been sharp, his form with  the bat solid—he’s truly leading from the front. No concerns on that front whatsoever.

One player to keep an eye on is Spencer Johnson. He’s the wildcard in this setup—an  intriguing prospect with raw pace and the ability to rattle batters, but still finding his feet in  these conditions. However, at Chepauk, where conditions often favour spin, it might make  sense to bring Moeen Ali back into the XI—perhaps in place of Johnson. That switch would  give CSK even more control and flexibility, especially in the middle overs. 

What we’re looking at here is a fascinating spin showdown. On one side, you’ve got the  likes of Noor Ahmad, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin. On the other, KKR counters with  Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, and potentially even Moeen if CSK make that call.  That’s an elite group of spinners going head-to-head. 

If Moeen does come in, I’d also use him smartly with the bat—deploy him tactically  depending on match-ups and game situations. He has the ability to shift momentum  quickly and can be a valuable floating option in the middle order. Moeen is the kind of  player who can slot in anywhere in the batting order, but I’d be tempted to use him as a  flexible No. 3. If KKR were to lose Sunil Narine or Quinton de Kock early, Moeen—being a  left-hander—could come in and counter the new-ball threat while maintaining balance in  the lineup. It’s almost a tactical, pinch-hitter approach, offering the team a dynamic option  in the powerplay. In that case, someone like Rahane could be floated down the order to  stabilize if needed. 

As for the bowling, things are looking quite solid. Vaibhav Arora, in particular, has been in  excellent form—consistently hitting good lengths and keeping things tight. If they get their  match-ups right and execute the spin plan well, they’ve got a real chance to control this  contest. 

Harshit Rana may have been a bit expensive in the last game, but he continues to be a  genuine wicket-taking option. Alongside their strong spin contingent, KKR have plenty of  variety and flexibility with the ball. 

And let’s not forget—they played the IPL final at Chepauk last year. Those positive  memories could give KKR a slight psychological edge heading into this fixture. They’ll be  eager to notch up another win and keep their campaign on track. 

That said, as I mentioned earlier, this feels like a must-win game for CSK. Not just in terms  of points on the table, but in terms of reigniting belief and momentum. They desperately  need a spark to turn things around—and a win at home could be just what they need to  reset their season.

So maybe, just maybe, Dhoni’s return as captain could be the spark that ignites something  truly special for CSK. They need to build momentum—and that journey has to begin now.