CSK vs KKR IPL 4 opening match preview and tickets information with live scores

Will KKR win the opening match against CSK? Who is playing in the opening IPL match? Where to watch CSK vs KKR live scores? This article gives information on the CSK vs KKR IPL 4 match, where to buy tickets for the opening match, where to watch the live telecast, etc.

The IPL 4 season begins today at 8p.m. after the opening ceremony at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

2011 IPL 4 KKR vs CSK opening match preview

The opening match is between defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, a team which is the only one never to have reached the last 4 of the league.

In a bid to erase that dubious record, at the 2011 IPL 4 auction the owners of the KKR team decided to dump all the players and not retain any of them for the IPL 4 season. Hard-hitting Yusuf Pathan, who did not click as desired in the 2011 Cricket World Cup but has been in full destructive mode in T20 and IPL matches, was bought by KKR for $2.1 million. Jacques Kallis, the ever-dependable South African all-rounder who played for RCB, is in the KKR team with a price tag of $1.1 million. Topping these rich prices is the $2.4 million for Gautam Gambhir, who will captain the KKR team.

Gambhir, indeed, has big shoes to fill – none other than those of Bengal's favourite, namely Saurav Ganguly aka Dada's shoes. Gauti, as he is nicknamed, is confident of doing a good job. Confidence is one thing he does not lack, having hit that wonderful knock of 97 runs in the 2011 Cricket World Cup final to help team India win. Now he is facing his national team captain, Dhoni, who is at the helm of the Chennai Super Kings team. Gambhir has, in no uncertain terms, made it clear though that Dhoni is not his inspiration. He said, "India is the inspiration for me…What MS does is what he does. For me, it is important what I do". Gambhir also made it clear that what happened to the KKR team in previous IPL seasons is over and done with and that the team is now looking forward.

Looking forward means trying their best to win today's match as it would give them a tremendous boost mentally in their quest to reach the final 4. Unfortunately for the KKR team, 4 players will not be playing in the first 2 games: Shakib Al Hasan, Brett Lee, James Pattinson and Brad Haddin. Yet, bowling consultant Wasim Akram, coach Dav Whatmore and captain Gambhir still have a good bunch of players. Eoin Morgan, Ryan ten Doeschate and Kallis can turn the match head-over-heels, and if Yusuf clicks right away with some of those awesome shots in the stands, then KKR for sure has the match in hand.

Gautam Gambhir has already won the hearts of Kolkata fans by saying "It is the City of Joy and if we can bring joy to the people of Kolkata, it will be our biggest achievement. Winning or losing is not in our hands but if we play good cricket, entire Kolkata will support us as they are such great followers of sport"

Go, Gauti, go...it's time to show that KKR is not down and out!

Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 4 squad Players: Gautam Gambhir (captain), Lakshmipathy Balaji, Rajat Bhatia, Manvinder Bisla, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), Iqbal Abdulla, Jacques Kallis, Brett Lee, Eoin Morgan, Yusuf Pathan, James Pattinson, Shakib Al Hasan, Laxmi Shukla, Ryan ten Doeschate, Manoj Tiwary, Jaidev Unadkat, Mohammad Sami Ahmed.

Chennai Super Kings IPL 4 squad players: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Subramaniam Badrinath, Joginder Sharma, Sudeep Tyagi, Abhinav Mukund, Anirudha Srikkanth, Ganapathi Vignesh, K Vasudeva Das, Shadab Jakati, Vijaykumar Yo Mahesh, Albie Morkel, Michael Hussey, Dwayne Bravo, Doug Bollinger, Scott Styris, Tim Southee, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suraj Randiv, George Bailey, Faf du Plessis.

Book your tickets: 2011 IPL 4 tickets online booking sites

Official Website: KKR IPL 4 team website

Buy team merchandise: Where to buy KKR IPL 4 team kits and merchandise