The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is heating up fast, and Match No. 3 promises a blockbuster clash as Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) take on Mumbai Indians (MI) at Chennai’s iconic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium this Sunday, March 23. With MI’s regular skipper Hardik Pandya sidelined for this opener due to a slow over-rate ban from IPL 2024, Suryakumar Yadav steps up to lead a star-studded Mumbai side. It’s a classic rivalry—MI holds a 20-17 edge in their 37 IPL meetings—but CSK’s spin-heavy arsenal and home advantage could flip the script. Here’s everything you need to know about the predicted lineups, impact subs, and full squads as of March 22, 2025.
CSK vs MI: The Stakes
CSK, five-time champs, narrowly missed the playoffs last year, finishing fifth. Now, with Gaikwad in his second season as captain and MS Dhoni still donning the gloves, they’re hungry to reclaim their throne. MI, also five-time winners, had a nightmare 2024, crashing out in the group stage and finishing dead last. Pandya’s absence—stemming from a third over-rate violation against Lucknow Super Giants—adds intrigue, with Suryakumar tasked with steadying the ship. Tonight, at 10:21 PM PDT, the buzz is palpable as fans await this “El Clasico” of IPL cricket.
Predicted Playing XIs
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) – The skipper’s elegant strokeplay sets the tone.
- Rachin Ravindra – Fresh off a stellar Champions Trophy, the Kiwi all-rounder edges out Devon Conway for the opener’s slot.
- Rahul Tripathi – A reliable No. 3 with a knack for anchoring.
- Shivam Dube – The big-hitting lefty thrives in the middle order.
- Deepak Hooda – Adds depth and versatility; Vijay Shankar’s a close alternate.
- Sam Curran – The English all-rounder brings balance with bat and ball.
- MS Dhoni (wk) – The legend at 43, still a finisher and a Chepauk crowd-puller.
- Ravindra Jadeja – Spin wizard and clutch batsman, perfect for Chennai’s slow tracks.
- Ravichandran Ashwin – The veteran off-spinner, back with CSK, loves a big stage.
- Noor Ahmad – Afghan mystery spinner to exploit Chepauk’s grip.
- Matheesha Pathirana – Slingy death-over specialist with lethal yorkers.
Impact Sub Options: Khaleel Ahmed (pace variety), Mukesh Choudhary (left-arm swing), Shreyas Gopal (leg-spin surprise).
CSK’s strategy leans heavily on spin—Jadeja, Ashwin, and Noor could choke MI on a turning Chepauk pitch. Pathirana’s pace and Dhoni’s late fireworks round out a balanced XI.
Mumbai Indians (MI):
- Rohit Sharma – The Hitman opens, eager to kick off with a bang.
- Ryan Rickelton (wk) – South African debutant fills Ishan Kishan’s shoes as keeper-batter.
- Will Jacks – England’s explosive all-rounder adds flair at No. 3.
- Suryakumar Yadav (c) – Stand-in captain and T20 maestro, key to MI’s fortunes.
- Tilak Varma – Young gun with a knack for big scores, slotted at 5.
- Naman Dhir – Emerging talent, offering stability and aggression.
- Raj Angad Bawa – All-rounder making his case in the lower middle order.
- Mitchell Santner – Kiwi spinner to counter CSK’s left-handers.
- Deepak Chahar – Ex-CSK pacer returns to haunt his old team with swing.
- Trent Boult – Left-arm pace ace, lethal up top and at the death.
- Arjun Tendulkar – Sachin’s son gets a shot, bringing raw pace and promise.
Impact Sub Options: Karn Sharma (leg-spin), Ashwani Kumar (pace backup), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (mystery spin).
MI’s missing Jasprit Bumrah (injured) and Pandya, but Boult and Chahar lead a solid bowling unit. Suryakumar’s form—he’s struggled recently—will be critical.
Full Squads
Chennai Super Kings:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Shaik Rasheed, Vansh Bedi (wk), C Andre Siddharth, Rachin Ravindra, Ravichandran Ashwin, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Anshul Kamboj, Deepak Hooda, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Matheesha Pathirana.
Mumbai Indians:
Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Shrijith Krishnan (wk), Bevon Jacobs, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Raj Angad Bawa, Vignesh Puthur, Corbin Bosch, Trent Boult, Karn Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, VS Penmetsa, Arjun Tendulkar, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah.
Key Battles to Watch
- Gaikwad vs. Boult: Trent’s dismissed Ruturaj three times in 26 IPL balls—can the CSK captain break free?
- Suryakumar vs. Spin Trio: Jadeja, Ashwin, and Noor could tie down MI’s skipper on a slow pitch.
- Dhoni vs. Chahar: A former teammate, Chahar knows Dhoni’s game—expect a tactical duel.
The Chepauk Factor
Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium favors spin, with dew often aiding chasers—five of seven games were won batting second here in 2024. CSK’s loaded spin attack could be the difference, though MI’s pace duo of Boult and Chahar might exploit early swing.
Final Thoughts
As of 10:21 PM PDT on March 22, 2025, CSK look primed to capitalize on home conditions and MI’s missing stars. But this rivalry thrives on unpredictability—tune in Sunday at 7:30 PM IST (7:00 AM PDT) on Star Sports or JioHotstar to see who strikes first in IPL 2025’s marquee clash!
