Match Details
- Match: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Mumbai Indians (MI), Match 3, IPL 2025
- Date & Time: Sunday, March 23, 2025, 7:30 PM (IST)
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Live Streaming: Sports18/Star Sports Network, JioHotstar
Team Overviews
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
CSK, one of the most successful franchises in IPL history with five titles, enters the season under new leadership, with Ruturaj Gaikwad replacing MS Dhoni as captain. The team had a forgettable 2024 campaign, missing the playoffs, but they have strengthened their squad in the auction and will look to start fresh. With a strong mix of experience and youth, CSK remains a formidable side, especially on their home turf.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Like CSK, MI also boasts five IPL titles, all won under Rohit Sharma’s leadership. However, the 2024 season saw a major shift, with Hardik Pandya taking over the captaincy. Despite a strong core, MI had an underwhelming season and will be eager to bounce back. They have retained key players and made strategic additions to their squad to bolster their chances in IPL 2025.
Key Players to Watch
Chennai Super Kings
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain) – Leading from the front, his consistency at the top will be crucial.
- Ravindra Jadeja – A match-winner with both bat and ball.
- Shivam Dube – An explosive middle-order batter who can change the game.
- MS Dhoni – Despite stepping down as captain, his presence behind the stumps and leadership will be vital.
- Matheesha Pathirana – A key pacer known for his death-over skills.
Mumbai Indians
- Hardik Pandya (Captain) – Will be under pressure to prove himself as MI’s leader.
- Rohit Sharma – A seasoned campaigner and MI’s batting mainstay.
- Suryakumar Yadav – A T20 dynamo capable of turning the tide in MI’s favor.
- Jasprit Bumrah – A lethal bowler with the ability to dismantle any batting lineup.
- Tilak Varma – A young and talented batter who has shown great promise.
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches Played: 37
- CSK Wins: 17
- MI Wins: 20
- No Result/Tied: 0
- Last Encounter: CSK beat MI by 20 runs in IPL 2024
- First Match: CSK won by 6 runs in IPL 2008
Probable Playing XIs
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)
- Rachin Ravindra
- Rahul Tripathi
- Shivam Dube
- Vijay Shankar
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Sam Curran
- MS Dhoni (WK)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Substitute: Shreyas Gopal / Mukesh Choudhary
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Rohit Sharma
- Ryan Rickleton (WK)
- Will Jacks
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya (C)
- Naman Dhir
- Mitchell Santner
- Deepak Chahar
- Trent Boult
- Jasprit Bumrah
Impact Substitute: Karn Sharma
Pitch Report
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is known for its spin-friendly conditions, offering assistance to slow bowlers as the match progresses. While the pitch generally slows down, early in the tournament, it might play well for batters. If dew comes into play, chasing could be an advantage. Otherwise, batting first might be ideal to avoid the pitch’s gradual deterioration.
Probable Scenarios
- If CSK bats first: A score of 160-180 could be competitive.
- If MI bats first: They might aim for 170+ to put pressure on CSK.
- Key Battle: MI’s pace attack (Bumrah & Boult) vs CSK’s middle-order (Dube & Dhoni).
- Spin Factor: Ashwin and Jadeja could be crucial for CSK, while Santner might play a role for MI.
Match Prediction
This match is expected to be a thriller, with two of IPL’s most decorated teams locking horns. CSK has the home advantage, but MI’s firepower cannot be ignored. If CSK’s spinners dominate, they might edge out MI, but if MI’s pace attack delivers, they could break their first-match jinx. Prediction: 55%-45% in favor of CSK due to home conditions.
