MI vs CSK Preview: New leaders, same old rivalry

The T20 fervor will take over the entire world as fans will witness the biggest game of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) on Sunday, April 14. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Both teams are coming into the fixture on the back of victories and will give their all to maintain their winning momentum.

CSK started their season with back-to-back wins against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT). Their campaign got a bit astray with consecutive losses against Delhi Capitals (DC) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). However, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side once again found their rhythm with a seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in their last fixture.

After five games, Chennai find themselves at the third spot on the points table with six points from five matches. On the other hand, Mumbai had their usual slow beginnings to the season losing three games up front. However, the Hardik Pandya-led side are finally back on track with consecutive victories against DC and RCB.

Mumbai are ranked seventh on the points table after five matches with four points to their name. The upcoming fixture is extremely crucial for both teams to rise higher on the points table.

Head to Head

Pitch Report

The surface at Wankhede is considered to be a batter’s paradise and a graveyard for bowlers. Out of the three matches played so far in the tournament, two have been won by teams chasing. The only occasion when the team batting first won was a day game. The average first innings score this season at the venue has been 185 while the highest target chased is 197. The captain winning the toss will look to bowl first as historically chasing teams have had an advantage at Wankhede.

Probable Playing XI

Mumbai Indians (MI)

Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Tim David, Mohammad Nabi, Romario Shepherd, Shreyas Gopal, Gerald Coetzee, Jasprit Bumrah

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Ravindra Jadeja, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Shardul Thakur, Mahesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman