Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Preview & Prediction | IPL 2025 | League Stage
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Always one of standout IPL encounters as these two great rivals, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians go head-to-head in Chepauk.
Date & time: Sunday Match 23rd 2025: USA PT – 7:00am / USA ET – 10:00am / UK – 2:00pm
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India
Weather: Clear skies with a gentle breeze and temperatures remaining consistent at 30c.
How to watch: USA – Willow TV / UK – Sky Sports & Sky Go / Australia – Foxtel
Chennai Super Kings Preview: Dhoni back for another year
At 43 years young, MS Dhoni makes his highly-awaited return to action for Chennai Super Kings, who are always contenders to win the tournament. The team is always packed full of match winners, whether it be Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja or captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. From an overseas player perspective, Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana returns for another year, as does New Zealand batting pair Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.
On what are normally spinning pitches in Chepauk, Noor Ahmad should feel right at home, especially when potentially bowling in tandem with Jadeja. CSK are spoiled for choice on the overseas front, with former T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament and England all-rounder Sam Curran also among their ranks.
Mumbai Indians Preview: Pandya suspended to start
Mumbai Indians are historically slow starters in the IPL, often losing their opening match and captain Hardik Pandya being banned for this first game doesn’t bode well for them. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side in his absence, although he’s been out of form lately, averaging less than 30 for India across his last 17 innings in T20 cricket.
Rohit Sharma remains at the top of the order and could open with Ryan Rickelton, who filled the role effectively for sister franchise MI Cape Town in the recently concluded SA20. Will Jacks is also a contender and if Rickelton is chosen, it would be no surprise to see him come in at number three. On the bowling front, Trent Boult is back at Mumbai after being bought at the mega auction following his release from Rajasthan Royals.
Chennai Super Kings Betting Analysis
Whilst there is the potential for spin in Chepauk, it is usually seen as a very friendly batting surface and it would be no surprise if we saw a substantial number of runs scored. With that in mind, the smart move for bettors may well be to focus on Gaikwad, an experienced IPL performer and run-getter for Chennai. Consider backing him to record 30+ runs via the ‘Bowler Milestones’ market.
Mumbai Indians Betting Analysis
When taking into account Hardik’s absence and the poor form for Suryakumar Yadav, the onus really falls on Rohit Sharma to set the tone with the bat for Mumbai Indians. With the burden of captaincy no longer an issue since Hardik took over last year, Rohit can focus fully on what he does best and his experience is always priceless. Explore backing him to accumulate 22.5 match runs.
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Expert Prediction
Any long-time fan of the IPL will know all about Mumbai Indians’ historically bad record in their first match of the tournament year-upon-year. They’ve lost their last 12 openers, a scarcely believable stat when taking into account the upheaval in IPL rosters down the years, not to mention the players who have represented the now five-time IPL winners.
Chennai Super Kings are the only team to match Mumbai when it comes to IPL titles and home form has so often been the foundation to their success. The crowd in Chepauk always comes alive for CSK and makes it so difficult for opponents. That’s before taking into account pitch conditions and ground dimensions. Combine that with Mumbai Indians’ opening match blues and CSK will be expected to triumph.
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Top Tip: Chennai Super Kings to win
