CSK vs MI IPL 2026 Preview: When & where to watch, time, venue, squads

Mumbai Indians' captain Hardik Pandya and Chennai Super Kings' captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (PC: IANS)


The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 44 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

Both teams head into this contest under pressure, struggling to find consistency this season. CSK are currently placed seventh on the points table with three wins from eight matches. They are coming off an underwhelming loss to Gujarat Titans, where their batting unit failed to fire, managing just 158.

MI, meanwhile, are enduring an even tougher campaign. With only two wins in eight matches, they sit ninth on the table. Despite posting a massive 243 in their previous outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad, their bowling let them down in a shocking defeat. They will be desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive.

CSK will look to bounce back at home after a short break, while MI aim to regroup quickly and address their bowling concerns.

Weather watch in Chennai

Conditions in Chennai are expected to be hot and humid, with temperatures around 31–32°C during match hours.

There is no rain forecast, ensuring a full game. Significant dew is expected in the second innings, which could favour chasing teams.

CSK vs MI IPL 2026: Match Details

What time will the CSK vs MI IPL 2026 match start?
The match will begin at 7:30 PM IST.

Where is the CSK vs MI match being played?
The match will be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

Where to watch CSK vs MI IPL 2026 live on TV?
The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network.

Where to livestream CSK vs MI IPL 2026?
Fans can stream the match live on JioHotstar app and website.

Head-to-Head Record

Matches: 40
MI wins: 21
CSK wins: 19

MI hold a slight historical edge, although CSK have dominated recent meetings, winning five of the last six clashes.

CSK vs MI IPL 2026: Predicted Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh
Impact Player: Noor Ahmad

Mumbai Indians (MI):
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya (c), Tilak Varma, Robin Minz, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Allah Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar
Impact Player: Shardul Thakur / Krish Bhagat

CSK vs MI IPL 2026: Pitch & Conditions

The Chepauk surface has seen a shift this season, playing more batting-friendly than its traditional spin-heavy nature.

  • Average first-innings score: 180–195
  • Better bounce aiding stroke play
  • Dew likely in second innings
  • Chasing teams expected to have an advantage

A par score is expected to be around 185–200.

Team News & Key Updates

Chennai Super Kings:
MS Dhoni remains a game-time decision due to a calf injury. He could feature as an impact player if deemed fit. CSK will rely heavily on their middle order to step up after recent failures.

Mumbai Indians:
Rohit Sharma is unlikely to play as he continues recovering from a hamstring injury. MI’s bowling attack, especially in the death overs, remains a major concern despite a strong batting lineup.

Players to Watch

Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK): Key to providing stability at the top.
Shivam Dube (CSK): Can change the game quickly in the middle overs.
Suryakumar Yadav (MI): MI’s most dangerous batter, capable of dominating any attack.
Jasprit Bumrah (MI): Crucial in controlling runs, especially at the death.

CSK vs MI IPL 2026: Squads

Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Shaik Rasheed, Vansh Bedi, 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, Dewald Brevis, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Matheesha Pathirana

Mumbai Indians (MI):
Hardik Pandya (c), Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Shrijith Krishnan, Bevon Jacobs, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Keshav Maharaj, 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