Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir spoke about the rivalry between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gautam Gambhir said that both teams have similar approaches to the game, which makes their matches exciting and close.
Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings have played 31 matches against each other in the cash league since 2008. The Chennai-based team has secured victory in 19 matches, while the Kolkata-based franchise has won 11 matches , and one of them finished. without result.
It’s not just the magnitude of the game – Gautam Gambhir
During the conversation with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Gautam Gambhir highlighted the similarity in approach between CSK and KKR when they face each other in the IPL. Gambhir emphasized that his similar approach makes the competitions close and exciting.
“It’s not just about the magnitude of the match. When two good teams face each other, it will be an exciting and close match. I always felt that CSK and KKR were very, very similar in the way they approached the game,” Gambhir said on Ashwin’s YouTube channel.
Our strategies were very similar to each other – Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir highlighted the similarity of strategies between CSK and KKR. The former Indian opener pointed out that both teams were dependent on three spinners, whether they played at Chepauk or Eden Gardens. Gambhir stated that KKR had to perform at their best tactically to overcome CSK.
“The way MS Dhoni used the spinners and we also had three quality spinners. CSK had three quality spinners and probably the conditions, whether in Chepauk or Eden at that time, were very similar. Cheepauk had bigger dimensions in comparison with what Eden is like as a terrain.
Our strategies were very similar to each other. That’s why KKR had to give their best from a tactical point of view to beat CSK. “That’s why I always felt that CSK and KKR at that time were very similar teams.” Gambhir added.
The 42-year-old rejoined the Knight Riders as a mentor in November last year after playing a similar role with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2021 and 2022. Gambhir played for Delhi Capitals and KKR in his IPL career. He led the Knight Riders to two titles in 2012 and 2014 as captain.
The Calcutta team secured the first place in the standings after finishing the league phase. The Shreyas Iyer-led team scored 20 points with nine wins. KKR qualified for the playoffs after missing the last two seasons. Shreyas Iyer successfully led the team throughout the season.
Kolkata Knight Riders will compete against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, May 21. This match will determine which team advances to the final. The loser will face the winner of the Elimination match in Qualifier 2.
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