Kolkata: Indian Premier League face-off between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings at the Eden Gardens on Thursday comes in the afterglow of their Chennai clash, and it will be up to the hosts to quickly brush aside the disappointments of Tuesday's two-run defeat and be ready for the challenge.


Kolkata Knight Riders' skipper Gautam Gambhir (left) with Chennai Super Kings' captain MS Dhoni in Chennai on Tuesday. Pic/PTI 

It's crucial for the Knights, who will be playing a home match after 19 days, to beat the big teams if they are to squeeze into the top two and earn that favourable draw in the knockout stage. Halfway into their campaign, the defending champions trail CSK and Rajasthan Royals in that race. The home match with the Royals was washed out on Sunday. Gautam Gambhir & Co know they squandered and opportunity in Chennai on Tuesday.