IPL 2025, Chepauk to host mouth-watering CSK-MI clash: Preview
What's the story
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in the third match of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL).
The much-awaited clash will take place on March 23 at MA Chidambaram Stadium aka Chepauk in Chennai.
CSK had a topsy-turvy last season, finishing fifth. In stark contrast, Mumbai Indians had a dismal season, ending up at the bottom.
Here's the preview of the upcoming game.
Details
Streaming and pitch details
The pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is known to favor spinners but also provides opportunities for batters.
Recent trends indicate a flat wicket with dew not likely to play a major role in the match outcome.
Star Sports will telecast the match, fans can also live-stream it on the JioHotstar app or website (7:30pm IST).
Rivalry
CSK vs MI: A look at their head-to-head record
Overall, CSK and MI have clashed 37 times in IPL history.
CSK have won 17 of these encounters, while MI have prevailed 20. This speaks volumes about the competitiveness of their rivalry.
Rohit Sharma is the highest run scorer in this contest with 805 runs. Meanwhile, MI have five wins and three defeats vs CSK in Chennai.
In their last five encounters, CSK have won four matches.
DYK
Clash of the titans
Both CSK and MI are the most successful teams in IPL history, having won the title five times each.
They will be eyeing their sixth title this season.
The upcoming match will be pivotal as both teams look to restore their lost glory in IPL 2025.
Notably, MI are without their star bowler Jasprit Bumrah for at least the first few games.
Team composition
Pandya to miss opening game
Regular skipper Hardik Pandya won't play MI's first match of IPL 2025.
This is because of the one-match suspension he was handed for IPL 2024, following MI's final league match.
Suryakumar Yadav will hence lead in his absence. Pandya and Bumrah's absence mean MI need to rely on youngsters like Robin Minz and Arjun Tendulkar.
Meanwhile, CSK have a balanced line-up with Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Noor Ahmad forming the spin trio.
XIs
Here are the probable XIs
CSK (Probable XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad.
MI (Probable XI): Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Robin Minz, Naman Dhir, Arjun Tendulkar, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Trent Boult.
Impact Players: Raj Bawa and Vijay Shankar.