IPL 2025 Preview of the Third Match Between CSK and

IPL 2025: Preview of the Third Match Between CSK and MI

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The IPL rivalry between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) continues with the 2024 season opener. Both teams have five titles, but changes loom as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Hardik Pandya debut as captains, with MI struggling after a disappointing last season. Hardik will miss the opener due to an over-rate penalty, while Jasprit Bumrah remains injured. CSK aims to exploit their home advantage with a lineup full of spin options. New players like Deepak Chahar and Mitchell Santner face off against familiar faces for the first time. Both teams are under pressure to perform amid injury and form concerns.

Overview: The IPL’s Most Iconic Rivalry

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), the most successful teams in IPL history with five titles each, will reignite their celebrated rivalry during the opening weekend of the upcoming season.

This rivalry is evolving. For years, fans expected to see MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma at the toss and strategizing for their teams. In IPL 2024, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Hardik Pandya take the helm as captains, but neither could propel their teams to the playoffs. CSK came close while MI languished at the bottom of the standings, leaving Hardik to face discontent from the fans.

Hardik has likely rekindled MI fans’ affection by leading India to the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy victories, yet he will be sidelined for Sunday’s match at Chepauk due to an over-rate infraction from the previous season, with Suryakumar Yadav stepping in as captain. Additionally, the injury to Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to be out until April, further complicates MI’s lineup. How will they compensate for the absence of two critical players?

MI’s historical record isn’t promising either; their last victory in an opening game occurred back in 2012. Coach Mahela Jayawardene recalled this fact even before their initial press conference of the season.

On the other hand, CSK returns to a familiar setting at the spin-friendly Chepauk. They’ve bolstered their squad with spinners to take advantage of home conditions. R Ashwin is set to make a comeback, having remarked “it feels like 2011 again” during a recent book event in Chennai, while Ravindra Jadeja and newcomer Noor Ahmad might showcase a promising future with his left-arm wristspin.

Dhoni returning to Chennai last month created quite a buzz. One can only imagine the excitement that IPL 2025 could bring if he continues his impressive six-hitting from last season.

A crowded Chepauk, opening three hours before the game, is sure to be a grand occasion.

Fresh Allegiances

Deepak Chahar has spent all 81 of his IPL matches teaming up with Dhoni at CSK and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS). This season, for the first time, he faces Dhoni and CSK. Chahar and Trent Boult could form an exciting new-ball duo for MI. Mitchell Santner, who was also part of CSK for several seasons, has found a new home at MI.

Rookie seamer Anshul Kamboj, who debuted for MI last season, has switched to CSK for IPL 2025. With his ability to swing the new ball effectively, he might be a key player to fill Chahar’s shoes alongside Khaleel Ahmed.

Team Updates & Predicted Line-ups

CSK is free from injuries, but they have a wealth of options. Who will play: Devon Conway or Rachin Ravindra? Vijay Shankar or Deepak Hooda? Sam Curran or Jamie Overton? Khaleel Ahmed or Anshul Kamboj?

Chennai Super Kings (likely XI): 1 Devon Conway/Rachin Ravindra, 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 3 Rahul Tripathi, 4 Deepak Hooda/Vijay Shankar, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), 9 R Ashwin, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Matheesha Pathirana, 12 Khaleel Ahmed/Anshul Kamboj

In Hardik’s absence, Suryakumar will captain MI for their opening match. South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch, who won the SA20 with MI Cape Town, could be brought in to provide the balance typically offered by Hardik, or MI may opt for an extra overseas spinner in Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Satyanarayana Raju, who primarily bowled at the death during the Andhra Premier League, could come in as an Impact Player, replacing one of the batters when MI bowls. Raju, age 25, was among the first bowlers to practice at the nets before the match.

Mumbai Indians (likely XI): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Tilak Varma, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 5 Naman Dhir, 6 Robin Minz, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Corbin Bosch/Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Karn Sharma, 11 Trent Boult, 12 Satyanarayana Raju/Ashwani Kumar

Major Concerns

MI has had notable overseas stars like Kieron Pollard and Lasith Malinga in the past. This season, they field several lesser-known players such as Ryan Rickelton and Bosch. With two high-profile Indian players missing the season opener in IPL 2025, how will they maintain their batting depth and bowling capabilities? Is Bosch the top candidate to fill Hardik’s role?

Who should be MI’s fourth overseas player?

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Spotlight on: Noor Ahmad and Suryakumar Yadav

Noor Ahmad, the talented 20-year-old wristspinner from Afghanistan, has been highlighted by Gaikwad as a player to monitor for CSK. His capacity to deliver rapid turns could provide a unique edge to CSK’s bowling attack, particularly at Chepauk. In his last franchise T20 competition on spin-heavy tracks, he was nearly unplayable, receiving the Player-of-the-Tournament title in CPL 2024. Noor is not new to the Super Kings set-up, having collaborated with Stephen Fleming during his time with Texas Super Kings in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA.

Suryakumar Yadav has been struggling, not crossing 15 runs in his last five T20 innings and not reaching fifty in his past nine. However, MI has remained unphased regarding his form. In his last outing against CSK at Chepauk in 2023, hewas notably restricted by Jadeja, Maheesh Theekshana, and Moeen Ali on a sluggish pitch. Can he bounce back on Sunday?

Key Statistics

  • Boult has had an upper hand against Gaikwad, dismissing him three times in 26 balls while conceding only 23 runs.
  • Suryakumar has faced difficulties against Jadeja in the IPL, accumulating only 45 runs in 59 balls at a strike rate below 77 while losing his wicket three times.
  • Ashwin holds the record for the most wickets at Chepauk in the IPL with 50 wickets in 42 innings at an economy rate of 6.26.
  • CSK has triumphed in five of their last six matches against MI, winning three consecutively.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

A slow surface that may favor spin is anticipated for Sunday’s game. Both teams might consider fielding their XIs (or XIIs) packed with three primary spinners. Dew played a crucial role in IPL 2024 and TNPL 2024, but new IPL regulations allowing the bowling team to request a ball change after the tenth over during evening matches might help mitigate this issue.

Statements

“We’ve decided on CSK’s opening combination, but it’s not ideal to disclose that here (laughs).”
Gaikwad keeps his plans under wraps

“The show must go on. There are players ready to take on the responsibilities and are keen to step onto the field tomorrow.”
Suryakumar expresses confidence in MI’s newcomers amid the absence of Hardik and Bumrah

Upcoming Matches

CSK will enjoy a four-day break before clashing with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Chepauk again on Friday. They will face a quicker turnaround ahead of their encounter with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati the following Sunday, and will return home for an afternoon match against Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 5.

MI will remain away from home. Hardik will return to lead the team against his former squad Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on March 29 before heading to Mumbai for their first home match of the season against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders on March 31. They will then transition from the high-scoring Wankhede to the potentially low-scoring Ekana stadium for a match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 4.

Deivarayan Muthu is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo

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