A glimpse of the 20 year old match between Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni can be seen again in the MI vs CSK match. Both teams are struggling with 2-2 wins. However, while MI looks largely balanced, CSK is troubled by injuries.
Whose match is IPL 2026 today: In the 33rd match of IPL, two arch-rivals will face each other today, Thursday 23 April. Mumbai Indians will face Chennai Super Kings in this match to be held at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni came face to face for the first time on 1 October 2006. This match was played during the 50-over Challenger Trophy in Chennai, where Rohit played for India Red and Dhoni played for India Blue.
Possibility of conflict again in IPL 2026
After almost 20 years, once again both the greats can be seen on the same field on Thursday. For MI, Rohit Sharma could not play the last two matches due to hamstring injury, but now he is likely to be fit and make a comeback. Looking at the training session of CSK, it seems that Dhoni can play his first match of IPL 2026. Along with batting, he also practiced wicketkeeping, which indicates that he is fully prepared.
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Position of both teams: Clash in points table
Even though Rohit and Dhoni are still the main faces of their teams, but in IPL 2026, both MI and CSK teams have been able to achieve only 2-2 wins after playing 6-6 matches so far. That means both the teams are at 7th and 8th position in the points table.
CSK’s troubles: Injuries spoil the strategy
The biggest problem for CSK this season has been injuries. Their top scorer Ayush Mhatre (201 runs, strike rate 177.87) has been ruled out of the entire season due to injury. The team has tried 18 players so far and on Thursday, the 19th player in the form of MS Dhoni can enter the field.
MI’s strategy: constant changes and new playing eleven
MI has given chances to 20 players so far this season, which is more than any other team. These changes have happened due to both the fitness and poor form of the players. However, the team now seems to be slowly finding the right combination. Sending Naman Dheer up to bat has reduced the team’s middle order’s weakness against spin. This has also given Tilak Verma a chance to play freely, especially against fast bowlers. Apart from this, Will Jacques has joined the team and is available to play in this match. Rohit Sharma’s return can also make the team stronger.
Improvement in bowling: Great performance against GT
There has also been improvement in MI’s bowling. The new combination includes spinners like Mitchell Santner and Ghazanfar along with domestic fast bowlers. This combination had Gujarat Titans (GT) all out for just 100 runs in the last match. Also, Jasprit Bumrah has now ended his long drought of not getting a wicket.
Mumbai Indians (MI Probable Playing XI)
Rohit Sharma/Danish Malewar, Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dheer, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya (captain), Will Jacques/Sherfan Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, AM Ghazanfar/Will Jacques, Krishna Bhagat, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwini Kumar.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK Probable Playing XI)
Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Urvil Patel, Dewald Brewis, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dubey, Matthew Short/MS Dhoni, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmed, Mukesh Chaudhary/Matt Henry/Akeel Hussain, Gurjapaneet Singh.