Top player battles to watch out for in the CSK vs MI IPL 2025 match

The 18th edition of the IPL has scheduled the "El Clasico" right at the start of the season, much to the thrill of the fans. The most successful teams in the league, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, with five trophies each, will play against each other on Sunday, March 23. The rivalry peaks during their encounter, with the champions staging a battle of equals. Mumbai Indians have witnessed a downward trend over the last few seasons, with their last victory recorded in 2020. Chennai Super Kings have since won two trophies, in 2021 and the equalizer coming in 2023. Overall, MI and CSK have played 37 matches, with MI winning 20 and CSK sitting lower in the head-to-head record with 17 wins. However, in their last five matches, CSK has beaten Mumbai four times, with Mumbai's last win against Chennai recorded in 2022.

Key player battles to watch out for in the CSK vs MI IPL 2025 match

The thrill returns as the champions of the IPL collide right at the helm of the 18th season. Scheduled for Sunday, the CSK vs. MI match will unfold at the iconic Chepauk in the evening on the day of the doubleheader. With a disappointing run over the last few seasons, MI finally looks poised to script a redemption in the league. With CSK holding a 4-1 record in their last five match-ups, MI has much to prove when the action goes live at Chepauk on Sunday. While Hardik Pandya sits out of the campaign opener, Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team against CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, the iconic former skippers, will take the field as crucial picks in the match.

Rohit Sharma vs Sam Curran

Sam Curran has returned to the CSK den as the five-time champions claimed their 2020-21 batchmate for 2.40 crores in the IPL 2025 mega auction. While SKY takes the captaincy for the campaign opener, Rohit Sharma will take his usual spot at the top of MI's batting order. Interestingly, the English all-rounder and the former MI skipper showcase a fiery battle. Rohit boasts a strike rate of 200 against the English seamer. In 14 deliveries played against Curran, Rohit has hit 28 runs with 3 fours and 2 maximums. Curran, meanwhile, has managed to dismiss the MI star once in the league, bringing Rohit's average against him to 28.00. It will be an exciting scene to watch who between the seamer and the opener claims a win in the match-up on Sunday at Chepauk.

Suryakumar Yadav vs Ravindra Jadeja

The MI skipper for the match, SKY, has a hard-hitting reputation in the league. However, it seems like Ravindra Jadeja has found just the solution to counter the attack. The CSK spinner has dismissed Suryakumar Yadav four times in the league. In 62 deliveries against Jadeja, Surya has managed just 48 runs, averaging a meager 12.0 against the CSK star. Moreover, the power hitter has never hit Jadeja for a six, with only four boundaries in his account against the seasoned spinner.

Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Trent Boult

Infamous for turning the cricket scorecard to emulate a football scoreline, Trent Boult is a menace with the new ball. The CSK skipper and opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad, meanwhile, has struggled to sail through Boult's attack over the seasons. In the Rajasthan Royals camp until 2024, Boult returned to MI in the IPL 2025 mega auction. The Kiwi seamer has dismissed Gaikwad thrice within just 26 deliveries. Managing only 23 runs against the pacer, Gaikwad averages just 7.7 against Boult, who is poised as a crucial pick for MI in the upcoming episode of the IPL El Clasico.