MI vs CSK IPL 2025: El Clasico returns as former champions seek revival

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League has shaken the long-set trends in the T20 league across 17 seasons. Chennai Super Kings, with five trophies in the account, have entered the playoffs 12 times and played the final 10 times. IPL 2020 marked the first season for CSK to fail playoffs qualification since the inaugural season in 2008. Mumbai Indians have etched a matching legacy with five trophies, joint-most with CSK. However, come IPL 2025, CSK and MI are struggling to break into the top half of the points table. In 7 matches, Chennai has won just two, languishing at the bottom of the table. Now, as the 'El Clasico' returns, the MI vs CSK IPL 2025 match is more than just the ultimate rivalry, it's a battle for survival.

MI vs CSK IPL 2025: Former champions return to El Clasico with stakes higher this time

IPL 2025 presented an early gift to the audience as the CSK vs MI match was one of the first matches in the season. The campaign opener for both the teams was to set the groove for the season ahead as the fans witnessed the IPL 'biggies' colliding. However, almost halfway into the season, the MI vs CSK IPL 2025 match carries crucial significance for both the teams. With three wins in seven matches, Mumbai Indians have fared relatively better than their counterparts. However, placed seventh on the points table, MI need to carry the winning momentum forward and consistently to vie for a place among the Top 4. With a home advantage, MI would hope to bury the revival hopes for CSK at Wankhede.

IPL 2020 was as disappointing as it got for CSK across IPL history. However, IPL 2025 marked the first time for the five-time champions to fall to the bottom of the points table. Moreover, the ongoing season marked another first for the Yellow Army, as they lost five matches consecutively. Injury hit the camp as the CSK captaincy returned to MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with a fractured elbow. The team finally earned a breather, beating Lucknow Super Giants by 5 wickets in their backyard. With almost a week-long break, the season brings them to Wankhede to face their arch-rival as the campaign hangs by a thread.

Mumbai Indians relied on a slow surface to contain Sunrisers Hyderabad at home in the MI vs SRH IPL 2025 fixture. The move played well as their second consecutive victory of the season followed. Against CSK, with their batters faring against the trend of 'hard-hitters' of modern T20, MI would like the pitch to assist the batters. With seven matches completed, it's clear that CSK are relying heavily on their bowlers as the team's middle order remains impactless. MI, meanwhile, have a missing piece in the puzzle with Rohit Sharma consistently departing early at the onset. However, if Trent Boult or Deepak Chahar manage to deny a stable start to CSK openers, Mumbai would nearly clinch the contest in their favour.

MI vs CSK head-to-head record in IPL and at Wankhede

While both the teams have joint tallies of trophies, MI boasts an edge over CSK in their head-to-head matchups. In 38 games, Mumbai Indians have won 20 while Chennai Super Kings have claimed 18 wins. At Wankhede, Mumbai has beaten CSK 7 times with the latter emerging victorious on 5 occasions. However, Mumbai Indians are yet to win a match against CSK since 2022. In their last five face-offs, CSK has maintained a sleek 5-0 record. With the stakes higher this time around, both the teams would be keen to overturn the head-to-head records of their own accords.