IPL 2025: KKR vs CSK – Venkatesh Iyer Misses Out as CSK Hand Debut to Urvil Patel
In a high-stakes clash at Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) locked horns with the already-eliminated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a crucial IPL 2025 encounter. KKR, desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, were dealt a major blow with their ₹23.75 crore star, Venkatesh Iyer, ruled out due to injury.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and chose to bat first on home turf. The Knight Riders opened with the explosive duo of Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The team made a confident start, reaching 11/0 after the first over.
Chennai Super Kings, led by the legendary MS Dhoni, made several changes to their lineup. In a significant move, CSK handed a debut to uncapped batter Urvil Patel, while also bringing back veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. With CSK already out of playoff contention, the team appeared to be testing new talent for the future.
Playing XIs:
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Devon Conway, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Ravichandran Ashwin, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana.
With the playoffs on the line, all eyes will be on how KKR navigates this must-win game without one of their most expensive and influential players. Meanwhile, CSK’s fresh lineup promises an exciting contest and a glimpse into the franchise’s future plans.
Stay tuned for live updates and match highlights.
