Cricholic
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set for a thrilling showdown as CSK vs MI takes center stage. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), both five-time champions, lock horns in a high-voltage clash on Sunday, March 23. Had it not been for Kolkata Knight Riders’ title defense, this could have been the season opener. Despite key absentees like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, the intensity of this storied rivalry ensures fireworks at Chepauk.
Familiar Faces, Fresh Cycle
Even with the shake-up from the mega auction, some things remain constant. Legendary figures MS Dhoni, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma, who played in CSK vs MI 13 years ago, are set to feature again. Adding to this nostalgic touch is Suryakumar Yadav, now MI’s stand-in skipper, who was part of the MI squad in 2012 but didn’t play.
Interestingly, MI hasn’t won an IPL opener since 2012, a record they’d be eager to break to kickstart their rebuilding phase on a strong note. On the other hand, CSK must balance their trademark continuity with necessary changes to avoid stagnation. With a tweaked squad structure, heavier on spin, they aim to rediscover their home dominance after a lackluster 2024 season where they missed the playoffs at Chepauk.
Match Details
- Fixture: CSK vs MI, Match 3, IPL 2025
- Date & Time: March 23, 19:30 IST
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Pitch and Conditions
The Chennai heat and humidity will be in full force, but the biggest mystery remains the Chepauk surface. CSK’s coaching staff has emphasized that the pitch hasn’t played the same since 2019, with spin losing its traditional influence. If conditions favor batters, chasing might be the preferred strategy, as seen last year when five out of seven matches at Chepauk were won by teams batting second.
Head-to-Head Record
- CSK: 17 wins
- MI: 20 wins
- At Chepauk: MI lead 5-3
CSK has closed the gap in recent years, winning the last three CSK vs MI encounters. However, MI still holds the edge overall and will look to extend their dominance.
Team News and Tactics
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Injury & Availability: No major injury concerns for CSK.
Tactics & Matchups: If spin plays a role, new recruit Mitchell Santner could be a game-changer. CSK also boasts four left-handers in their top six, which may neutralize MI’s spin threat.
Probable Playing XII:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj.
Gaikwad has hinted that Rachin Ravindra is likely to open over Devon Conway, given his recent form and guidance from Michael Hussey and Stephen Fleming.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Injury & Availability: MI will be without Jasprit Bumrah (back injury) and Hardik Pandya (one-match ban for overrate offenses).
Tactics & Matchups: MI will look to exploit Ruturaj Gaikwad’s struggles against Trent Boult, who has dismissed him thrice in just 26 balls. This early battle could shape the match’s outcome.
Probable Playing XII:
Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Naman Dhir, Robin Minz (wk), Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Satyanarayana Raju/Arjun Tendulkar, Vignesh Puthur.
Key Stats and Insights
- Gaikwad’s Captaincy Woes: Won only 3 tosses in 14 games last season.
- SKY’s Form Slump: Averages 14.30 with a strike rate of 120.77 in T20s since the South Africa tour.
- Dhoni’s Impact: Since the introduction of the Impact Player rule, Dhoni has batted after the 15th over in 23 of his last 24 innings, striking at an incredible 203.85.
What They Said
- Ruturaj Gaikwad on Noor Ahmad: “We always wanted an aggressive wicket-taking bowler, and Noor is one of the best available.”
- Suryakumar Yadav on Facing Dhoni: “We’ve learned so much from him over the years. It’s exciting to lead against him.”
This iconic CSK vs MI clash is more than just another game—it’s a potential turning point early in IPL 2025. With both teams aiming for a strong start, expect fireworks under the lights at Chepauk.
