The first “El Clasico” of the IPL 2025 is set to light up the MA Chidambaram Stadium as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lock horns with Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 23. This iconic rivalry has always been a spectacle, and despite a few key absences, the excitement remains as intense as ever. Mumbai Indians, led by stand-in skipper Suryakumar Yadav, will be without their usual captain, Hardik Pandya, who is serving a one-match ban for overrate offences from the previous season.
Adding to their challenges, MI will miss their pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who is still recovering from a back injury. Without these pivotal players, the responsibility to lead from the front falls heavily on experienced campaigners like Rohit Sharma and Trent Boult. On the other hand, CSK, under the guidance of Ruturaj Gaikwad, will aim to extend their three-match winning streak against their arch-rivals.
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The spin-friendly track at Chepauk will see CSK banking on the seasoned trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and the young talent Noor Ahmed. With their potent spin attack, they aim to exploit MI’s weakened batting lineup and secure an early advantage in the tournament.
Here’s a closer look at three crucial player battles that could shape the outcome of this epic contest:
#1 Shivam Dube vs. Trent Boult
Shivam Dube has been a powerhouse for CSK, contributing nearly 400 runs last season. However, his challenge lies against Trent Boult, one of the few genuine pace threats MI possesses. Boult had a stellar IPL 2023 with 25 wickets and will be key in breaking CSK’s middle order. While Dube has scored 11 runs in six balls against Boult without being dismissed, their battle will be a pivotal moment in the game.
#2 Rohit Sharma vs. Sam Curran
Rohit Sharma’s ability to anchor innings has been crucial for MI over the years. However, his vulnerability against left-arm pacers like Sam Curran adds intrigue. Curran managed to dismiss Rohit last season in just six balls, but the MI star has struck him for three boundaries and two sixes in their limited face-offs. This clash could dictate the tempo of MI’s innings.
#3 Suryakumar Yadav vs. Ravichandran Ashwin
With Hardik Pandya unavailable, the responsibility on Suryakumar Yadav to steer MI’s middle order is immense. Ashwin, bought by CSK for INR 9.75 crore, will be tasked with stifling SKY’s creativity. Despite Ashwin’s experience, SKY has scored 115 runs off 79 balls against him without being dismissed, making this a fascinating face-off.
