MI vs CSK IPL 2025: In yet another high-voltage encounter between the two IPL giants, Mumbai Indians (MI) won the toss and chose to field first against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their marquee clash of IPL 2025. The match, being played on a dew-affected surface already used for MI’s previous outing against RCB, is expected to be a cracker.
Hardik Pandya Confident in the Bowl-First Strategy
Speaking at the toss, MI captain Hardik Pandya expressed confidence in his decision to bowl first. “We are gonna bowl first. It looks like a very good wicket with a good covering of grass. It’s the same surface where we played RCB, so we already understand how it behaves,” said Hardik.
He emphasized the importance of executing well-planned strategies and acknowledged that MI is yet to play to their full potential this season. “It’s exciting – CSK vs MI is always a big game. The man behind me (MS Dhoni), everyone knows how thrilling it gets when he plays.”
Mumbai Indians have gone with an experienced bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, with Mitchell Santner and Deepak Chahar offering spin and swing options. The batting department features the explosive Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, with Ryan Rickelton handling wicketkeeping duties.
Dhoni Stays Grounded, Wants Bold Yet Calculated Cricket
Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni, who continues to lead the team in his classic calm demeanor, said he would have bowled first too, given the presence of early dew on the surface. CSK, currently languishing at the bottom of the table, are in desperate need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“We’re at the bottom, so we can’t look too far ahead. It’s about one game at a time. We’ve got to play bold cricket but also understand our strengths — batters and bowlers alike,” said Dhoni.
CSK’s lineup has undergone slight tweaks, with youngsters like Shaik Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre getting game time. The team is banking on a balance of experience and youth, with Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Rachin Ravindra providing depth in the all-round department. The pace battery features Khaleel Ahmed and Matheesha Pathirana, while Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad adds mystery to the bowling unit.
Playing XIs:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Shaik Rasheed, Rachin Ravindra, Ayush Mhatre, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Vijay Shankar, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
Mumbai Indians (MI):
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwani Kumar
What’s at Stake?
The clash between MI and CSK has historically been one of the biggest rivalries in IPL history, often referred to as the “El Clasico” of the league. While MI holds the psychological edge with multiple titles, CSK will be looking to script a turnaround and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
With both teams fielding powerful squads, fans can expect fireworks in this high-pressure match. Can MI’s pace battery dominate again? Or will Dhoni’s strategic brilliance steer CSK to a comeback?
