In CSK’s den, shorthanded MI must contend with the pressure of first-game blues.

How large do you prefer your images? CSK. MI. Two teams with five titles each clash in prime time on the first Sunday of IPL 2025. This could have been the season opener if not for KKR’s status as defending champions. While a few big names like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are missing, with a rivalry this legendary, who’s to say this isn’t where the tournament truly ignites?

Even with the shake-ups from the mega auction and the start of a fresh cycle, familiar narratives remain. MS Dhoni, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma—who all played in this very fixture 13 years ago—are set to take the field once more. That number rises to five if you include Suryakumar Yadav, who was an unused squad member then but now steps in as MI’s stand-in captain.

That IPL 2012 opener at Chepauk is a perfect point of reference before this clash, as it also marks the last time Mumbai Indians won their first game of a season. While it may seem like a trivial streak, MI would love to break it to ensure their ‘project reset’ begins on solid ground after a turbulent phase that included two last-place finishes.

CSK, on the other hand, must be wary that too much continuity can lead to stagnation. They introduced an exciting new batting approach in 2023 but found themselves overtaken by at least four teams last season. Their 2025 squad has a slightly different composition—perhaps less power-packed but with greater spin depth. This balance might suit the kind of tracks they once dominated in Chennai. Much will depend on the nature of the pitches after a 2024 season where CSK failed to make the playoffs despite playing their home games at Chepauk. A battle against a hungry and decorated opponent is not just a blockbuster fixture; it’s an early test. Any weaknesses they display won’t just be noticed—they’ll be exploited.

When: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, Match 3, IPL 2025, March 23, 19:30 IST

Where: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

What to expect: A warm, humid evening—something that’s almost a certainty in Chennai. What remains unpredictable, even for the CSK skipper, is the pitch behavior. CSK’s coaching staff have repeatedly emphasized over the last two years that the Chepauk track hasn’t been the same since 2019. Spin hasn’t played a major role, and whether that has changed remains to be seen. Dew could also be a factor, as five of the seven games here last year were won by the chasing side.

Head-to-Head: CSK 17-20 MI. CSK have narrowed the gap with three consecutive wins. However, Mumbai Indians still hold a 5-3 advantage at Chepauk.

Team Updates

Chennai Super Kings

Injuries & Availability: No major injury concerns for CSK.

Tactics & Matchups:
If the pitch offers any turn, expect New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, who has recently crossed the yellow-blue divide, to play a key role. However, CSK might have a countermeasure with up to four left-handers in their top-six.

Probable XII: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj

Gaikwad confirmed that a decision has been made regarding their top-order selection. The choice is essentially between Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. Conway formed a strong opening partnership with Gaikwad in their 2023 title-winning campaign, even earning Player of the Match in the final. However, Ravindra is currently in outstanding form, having just been named Player of the Champions Trophy. Based on his extensive net session on the eve of the game and continuous guidance from Michael Hussey and Stephen Fleming, Ravindra is likely to get the first opportunity.

Mumbai Indians

Injuries & Availability: MI will be without two key players—Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Bumrah is still recovering from a back injury sustained during the New Year’s Test in Sydney, while Pandya is serving a one-match suspension for overrate violations last season.

Tactics & Matchups:
Ruturaj Gaikwad has struggled against Trent Boult, falling to him three times in just 26 deliveries while scoring only 23 runs. This battle could set the tone for the game, given how crucial both players are for their teams.

Probable XII: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Naman Dhir, Robin Minz (wk), Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Satyanarayana Raju/Arjun Tendulkar, Vignesh Puthur

Did you know?

• Ruturaj Gaikwad won only three tosses in 14 games as captain last season.

• Suryakumar Yadav averages 14.30 with a strike rate of just 120.77 in 13 T20 matches since the South Africa tour last year.

• Since the introduction of the Impact Player rule, MS Dhoni has maintained a strike rate of 203.85. In 23 of his last 24 innings, he walked in to bat only after the 15th over.

What they said:

“We always wanted someone in our bowling attack who could be aggressive and take wickets regularly. There were very few such players available in the auction, so we aimed for the best, and Noor is among the top choices.” – Ruturaj Gaikwad on signing Noor Ahmad.

“Has anyone ever been able to control him all these years? There’s always excitement when you play in Chennai and watch him walk out of the dressing room. We’ve learned so much from him and continue to do so. Whenever we get the chance, we have a chat. I’m really looking forward to seeing him again tomorrow. But this time, I’ll be leading against him, which makes it even more exciting.” – Suryakumar Yadav on facing MS Dhoni at Chepauk.