MI vs CSK Prediction: More powerplay pain for Mumbai on

Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings renew the IPL’s fiercest rivalry on Thursday night (15:00 BST, Sky Sports Cricket) in a clash that feels pivotal for both sides’ 2026 campaigns. Each team has won two of their opening six matches, which leaves them outside the playoff spots and with questions to answer.

But Mumbai’s thumping 99‑run win over Gujarat Titans and the potential return of ex-CSK skipper MS Dhoni from injury bring further excitement to what should be another packed Wankhede Stadium crowd.

MI vs CSK Odds

Mumbai Indians are the 8/15 favourites at Wankhede, where they have historically been strong. Chennai, however, are priced attractively at 6/4 given the potential Dhoni boost and four wins from the last five head-to-head meetings.

It’s 4/6 for MI to hit the most sixes and 1/1 for the home side to produce the Highest Opening Partnership of the match.

Team News

Mumbai’s preparations have been shaped by the continued absence of Rohit Sharma, who is set to miss out again with a hamstring issue. That hands Danish Malewar another opportunity to partner Quinton de Kock at the top of the order.

The standout performer in MI’s resurgence has been Tilak Varma, whose unbeaten 101 against Gujarat was the innings of the season so far. Hardik Pandya looks likely to remain at No. 6, with Naman Dhir and Suryakumar Yadav forming the engine room of the middle order.

With the ball, Mitchell Santner is expected to retain his place after an excellent 2‑16 from three overs on Monday. Ashwani Kumar, fresh from a superb 4‑24, should again support Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, and Krish Bhagat.

Chennai’s camp is buzzing with the possibility of MS Dhoni returning as an Impact Player after resuming wicket-keeping drills in the nets. His presence alone would lift a side that slipped to eighth following a narrow 10‑run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

CSK will be forced into at least one change after teenage batter Ayush Mhatre was ruled out with a hamstring tear. Urvil Patel is tipped to replace him at No. 3. Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to open alongside Sanju Samson, while Anshul Kamboj remains their most reliable wicket‑taker.

Naman Dhir Over 21.5 Runs @ 5/6

Dhir has been MI’s most reliable contributor with the bat this year, tallying 154 runs at an average of more than 30.

His clean ball‑striking suits Wankhede perfectly, and with Rohit absent, he is likely to face more deliveries in the top three.

The right-hander has passed 20 in four of his last five innings, including knocks of 45 and 50 in his last two, and looks well‑placed to do so again on a surface that rewards positive intent.

CSK Highest 1st 6 Overs Score @ 1/1

Mumbai’s powerplay record this season has been poor — both with bat and ball.

Their batting returns in the first six overs have been 46/3, 48/2, 62/0, 30/3 (3.2 overs) and 41/2 since their opening-match win over KKR.

And their bowling has been susceptible as opponents have simply targeted anyone not named Bumrah, and with Gaikwad and Samson both capable of fast starts, CSK look strong value to win the opening phase.

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