Mumbai, April 19 (NationPress) The inconsistent performance of Chennai Super Kings has slightly diminished the excitement surrounding this legendary rivalry, yet the upcoming match at the Wankhede Stadium is still crucial as Mumbai Indians strive to sustain their upward momentum and seek retribution for their earlier defeat this season.

Hardik Pandya's team, currently in seventh place, has rejuvenated their campaign with consecutive victories against Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their performance—particularly in bowling—on the challenging Wankhede pitch, which offered unexpected turn and grip for spinners and assisted seamers with cutters, was impressive. Nonetheless, this strategy may face challenges against a formidable CSK bowling lineup.

Ravindra Jadeja and the in-form Noor Ahmad—who claimed three wickets against MI in their previous encounter—are expected to be pivotal for Chennai. The Afghan left-arm wrist spinner has already taken 12 wickets in seven matches, and MI must devise a strategy to counter him during the middle overs. Additionally, CSK has included Dewald Brevis and local talent Ayush Mhatre in the squad, although their presence in the playing XI is still uncertain.

After breaking their four-match losing streak with a narrow five-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants, the signs of a complete revival for CSK remain subtle. However, the return of MS Dhoni to Wankhede adds an intriguing subplot. The former captain's memorable performance of four balls for 20 runs last season—featuring three sixes off Pandya—still lingers in fans' memories.

As he resumes his leadership role, Dhoni bears the dual burden of reviving CSK's season and performing in the death overs, all while managing a persistent knee issue.

On the other hand, MI will look for another strong start from Ryan Rickleton and Suryakumar Yadav, while the finishing skills of Tilak Varma and Will Jacks could be crucial. The bowling unit, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, is starting to find its form. Boult's precision in the death overs and Bumrah's sharp bowling lengths will be vital against CSK's batting order.

Though MI has some leeway in the tightly packed mid-table battle, a slip could prove detrimental. For CSK, this match represents more than just a high-profile face-off—it’s an opportunity to restore confidence in a faltering campaign.

When will MI vs CSK be played?

MI vs CSK is scheduled for Sunday at 7:30 PM IST

Where will MI vs CSK be played?

The match will take place at Wankhede Stadium

Where to watch MI vs CSK?

Viewers can catch the MI vs CSK match on the Star Sports network and stream it live on JioHotstar.

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Shaik Rasheed, Vansh Bedi (wk), C Andre Siddharth, Rachin Ravindra, Ravichandran Ashwin, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Anshul Kamboj, Deepak Hooda, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Dewald Brevis, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Matheesha Pathirana.

Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Shrijith Krishnan (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Raj Angad Bawa, Vignesh Puthur, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Karn Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, VS Penmetsa, Arjun Tendulkar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah.