MI vs CSK - (Source: ScreenGrab/Hotstar)
On Thursday, April 23, Mumbai Indians are hosting Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium for the first 'El Classico' of IPL 2026. It is an important game for both teams are they have four points in six matches.
Talking about the toss, two captains - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Hardik Pandya walked down the middle for toss and the luck favoured, the hosts. Eventually, Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to field first.
CSK have dealt a heavy blow as MS Dhoni is still not 100% fit and is missing the match against Mumbai Indians. For MI, Rohit Sharma also has been missing from the playing XI and it will be the first MI vs CSK match without Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni.
Rest, MI have gone ahead with the same playing XI, while, CSK, they have made a couple of changes to their playing XI. Kartik Sharma comes in for Matthew Short.
MI vs CSK: Playing XIs
Chennai Super Kings Playing XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary
Also Read: Faheem Ashraf Savagely Fights With Mohammad Amir During Ugly PSL Send-Off
Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Krish Bhagat, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar
MI vs CSK: Captains Thoughts
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings Captain): "Well, we would've bowled first as well. It was a 50:50 call. It looks a good wicket and here in Wankhede, you have to bat well irrespective of whether you are batting first or bowling first. So, it's just about putting up a great show.
(Changes) We have got a couple of changes. Veer comes in for Short. I think that's it. That's the only change."
Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians Captain): "We are gonna bowl first. [on the momentum in the last game] Lot of boxes were ticked, the intensity was there. We needed such kind of a game where everyone chips in.
Also Read: MS Dhoni Ruled Out Of MI Vs CSK IPL 2026 Match
[on the intensity] That was a conscious effort. No matter what happens, it is in your control. When you are enjoying the sport, a lot of things happen.
MI vs CSK: Impact Subs
Mumbai Indians - Will Jacks, Raj Angad Bawa, Shardul Thakur, Danish Malewar, Mayank Rawat
For Mumbai Indians, Danish Malewar is most likely to be brought to open the innings in the 2nd innings, which will be his 2nd game in the cash-studded league.
Chennai Super Kings - Urvil Patel, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Matt Henry
For CSK, they have a difficult choice here. It could either be Prashant Veer or Matt Henry as an impact sub.
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