It's time for the highly anticipated reverse fixture of the El Clasico in IPL 2025 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, April 20. A lot has changed since Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) last faced off in Chennai on March 23. CSK began their campaign with a resounding victory over their arch-rivals, but their form has since dipped significantly, with only one win from their next six matches. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians, who were struggling with just one win from their first five games, have found their rhythm, winning two consecutive matches and looking poised to break into the top four.
This clash in Mumbai could be a season-defining moment for both teams. Mumbai Indians are looking to climb out of the bottom five and continue their resurgence. After a resilient win over Delhi Capitals, they managed to neutralize SunRisers Hyderabad with a well-planned strategy at the Wankhede Stadium. A loss on Sunday could halt their momentum and damage the confidence they’ve built in the last two matches.
On the other hand, CSK managed to secure a much-needed victory over Lucknow Super Giants on April 14, ending a five-match losing streak. This win was a crucial confidence booster for the team, but their coach, Stephen Fleming, made it clear that the team could not afford to be too patient anymore. “MS Dhoni is no soothsayer and he doesn't have a magic wand,” Fleming had said before their victory. A loss on Sunday would make it incredibly difficult for CSK to recover, given their tough start to the season.
Despite injury concerns and inconsistent form, CSK hasn't given up hope of a turnaround. However, they are at a delicate crossroads where finding the right balance between pushing for wins and managing senior players who have struggled this season will be crucial. "We're in a delicate phase. We're still in the competition, but only just. We're trying to find the balance between giving players time to find form and getting results," Fleming explained.
Vijay Shankar, despite scoring a few runs, hasn't looked entirely confident this season. On top of that, CSK signed Dewald Brevis as an injury replacement for Gurjapneet Singh, and Fleming confirmed that Brevis is available for selection for this match.
Mumbai Indians are unlikely to have Karn Sharma available due to an injury sustained in the match against Delhi Capitals, where he required stitches for a split webbing.
Daytime conditions in Mumbai have been hot, and dew is expected in the evening, which could make chasing the target more advantageous for the team that bats second.
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