KKR vs RCB might have begun the IPL 2025 season, but the real action takes place in Chennai where two five-time champions clash. CSK vs MI is IPL’s greatest rivalry even though both title-winning captains have taken a mentorship role. Rohit Sharma will mentor Suryakumar Yadav at Mumbai Indians while MS Dhoni is ever-present for Ruturaj Gaikwad at Chennai Super Kings. However, MI will miss their two Paltans who have been instrumental in winning them matches. Hardik Pandya is out suspended while Jasprit Bumrah is still recovering from a back injury. That gives a twist to the tale, what is MI Playing XI vs CSK going to be?
Unlike in the last few years, Mumbai Indians have a new-look squad. Despite retaining their Indian core, they will have to rely on a lot of new faces. For starters, Rohit will have a new opening partner after Ishan Kishan was let go. The bowling unit will also be different from last season with Trent Boult returning. Deepak Chahar will partner with him but the death bowling issues remain.
Who will bowl at the death?
We all believe in Jassi bhai. His superb record in the death will be missed. But in his absence, Mumbai’s bowling attack looks weaker, especially in the death. The issue is compounded by the absence of Pandya. Chahar and Boult are new ball bowlers and are a threat in the powerplay. However, as soon as the ball gets older, their efficiency dips.
Trent Boult has bowled 92.3 overs in death, bagging 43 wickets at an economy rate of 10.94. Chahar hasn’t bowled a lot of overs in the death. He has bowled 24.4 overs in the death, bagging 12 wickets with an economy rate of 9.32. Similarly, Corbin Bosch too hasn’t bowled a lot in the death.
With the stats, Boult remains the only viable option at the death. But who will partner with him? MI might have to deploy a spinner and an over from either Chahar or Bosch to get by in Chennai.
Who opens with Rohit Sharma?
Ryan Rickleton seems the logical choice to open with Rohit. He is the wicketkeeper batter and has similar traits to Quinton De Kock, who once dominated in an MI jersey.
Mumbai also have the option to open with Suryakumar Yadav or Tilak Varma. However, both Tilak and Surya have solidified their positions at No 3 and 4. MI are unlikely to tinker with those two slots in MI Playing XI vs CSK.
It’s the middle-order that will have some fresh faces. With no Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir will take the No 5 slot with either KL Shrijith or Raj Bawa making up the No 6 slot. Will Jacks is also a possibility only if the Chepauk surface assists spinners. In that case, Corbin Bosch will warm the bench with Jacks in MI Playing XI vs CSK.
𝙆𝙖𝙧𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 22, 2025#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #TATAIPL #CSKvMI pic.twitter.com/H90lfzY305
Who are Mumbai’s spinners?
With Mitchell Santner switching allegiance to the Blues, he will be the top spinner in the Mumbai camp. The Kiwi skipper hasn’t got a lot of opportunities to play in the IPL. But this season, he could be a regular. Mumbai have Mujeeb Ur Rahman as the other option apart from Karn Sharma, the only experienced Indian spinner in the camp.
Santner is set to partner with Karn Sharma in the CSK vs MI game. Tilak Varma is also an able spinner and expect him to bowl at least two overs. Naman Dhir also bowls off-spin and could be used depending on the Chepauk surface.
MI Playing XI vs CSK
- Rohit Sharma
- Ryan Rickelton (WK)
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Naman Dhir
- KL Srijith/ Raj Bawa
- Mitchell Santner
- Corbin Bosch
- Karn Sharma
- Deepak Chahar
- Trent Boult
Mumbai Indians squad for IPL 2025
Rohit Sharma, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Naman Dhir, Ryan Rickelton,Robin Minz(w), Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Reece Topley, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Krishnan Shrijith, Karn Sharma, Corbin Bosch, Raj Bawa, Arjun Tendulkar, Bevon Jacobs, Ashwani Kumar, Satyanarayana Raju, Vignesh Puthur
