MS Dhoni To Return? CSK Strongest XI vs MI- IPL 2026, Match 44

MS Dhoni likely to return vs MI [Source: AFP]

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be crossing paths with Mumbai Indians in match number 44 of the IPL 2026 season on Saturday, May 2. The match will be hosted by the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai and the action will commence from 7:30 PM IST onwards.

The CSK franchise, under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, is currently placed sixth on the IPL 2026 points table, i.e., three rungs above their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians.

CSK vs MI Preview

CSK started off the IPL 2026 season with three straight defeats. Ruturaj Gaikwad and co. bounced back by registering three wins off their next four games, however, their winning momentum was once again put to a halt by Gujarat Titans last weekend.

New recruit Sanju Samson has emerged as CSK’s most successful batter of the season for scoring over 300 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of nearly 170. Plundering two tons in the process, Samson is followed by injured Ayush Mhatre and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

CSK’s bowling continues to be a primary area of concern for the franchise, considering no bowler apart from Anshul Kamboj (14 wickets) and Jamie Overton (9 wickets) have managed to make much impact off late.

Also Read- Watch- Sanju Samson Brutally Abuses CSK Teammate As GT Demolish Chennai

Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have been pushed to the brink of a certain elimination from the season’s playoffs race. With just two wins and six defeats from eight games, they are languishing at number nine on the 10-team standings.

Ahead of the match, here is a look at the best probable playing XI of the CSK franchise against the Mumbai Indians.

CSK Playing XI vs MI- Match 44, IPL 2026

Openers and Top Order (Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan)

Sanju Samson will continue to open the innings for CSK alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Samson has bludgeoned over 300 runs this season, which included a match-winning century the last time he faced Mumbai Indians a couple of weeks ago.

Gaikwad, meanwhile, has blown hot and cold this season, having listed just one sluggish half-century from eight innings. Desperate to get some runs under his belt, the elegant opener might well be due for a big score within the upcoming games.

Sarfaraz Khan will be expected to bat at number three in the CSK Playing XI vs MI once again, even though he was pushed to number four last week against the Titans.

Middle Order and All Rounders (Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer)

Hard-hitting middle-order batters Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube are yet to light up this IPL 2026 season on fire, but CSK are likely to persist with the duo owing to their match-winning potential.

Kartik Sharma will also be expected to reprise his role in the CSK middle-order alongside Brevis and Dube.

Legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni might still not make his return to the CSK Playing XI vs MI. Yet to play a single game owing to an injury, the cricketer was spotted padded up during a recent CSK training session, as shared by the franchise on their official social media a couple of days ago.

In Dhoni's absence, Prashant Veer might continue to feature in CSK's playing XI vs Mumbai Indians. Yet to create an impact, he could be used as a spin option.

Bowlers (Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj)

CSK fast bowler Jamie Overton has picked up nine wickets in seven innings of the tournament so far. He will be expected to helm his team’s pace attack once again. He will team up with Anshul Kamboj, who has emerged as CSK’s most successful bowler of the IPL 2026 season.

Kamboj has picked up 14 wickets in just eight innings at an impressive bowling average of 16.92.

Overseas tweakers Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad will continue to operate as primary spinners in the CSK Playing XI vs MI. Hosein, in particular, recently decimated the Mumbai Indians with exceptional figures of 4-17.

CSK Playing XI vs MI- Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, MS Dhoni (wk), Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj