Rohit, who is recovering from a hamstring issue, and Dhoni, dealing with a calf strain, are both on the road to recovery. However, their availability at the Wankhede Stadium remains in question for what is known as one of the most iconic rivalries in the IPL.
While Rohit missed Tuesday’s optional training session, Dhoni, who has yet to play this season, was spotted going through his drills, sparking hopes of his return, possibly as an Impact Substitute.
Beyond the star players, both teams, with a collective total of 10 IPL titles, have faced inconsistent performances so far and are eager to rectify their issues as the tournament unfolds.
CSK started the tournament looking for form and the right lineup, like most teams do, and just when they seemed to be hitting their stride, a hamstring injury to local talent Ayush Mhatre, who had scored 201 runs, struck a significant blow.
Once again, CSK finds themselves back at square one, searching for solutions to bolster their batting lineup, with Gujarat wicketkeeper-batter Urvil Patel among the candidates.
CSK will be keen to see their batters perform together after a disappointing defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, a match they should have easily won while chasing 130 off 90 balls with eight wickets in hand. However, a lack of initiative from the middle order allowed SRH to shift the momentum in their favor.
While Sarfaraz has been steady with 147 runs, he has yet to convert starts into a significant innings, especially with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad struggling this season, having only scored 82 runs.
Much will also depend on Sanju Samson (192 runs), especially since the India wicketkeeper-batter returns to the site of his T20 World Cup semifinal heroics.
CSK will aim to break their two-match losing streak, relying on their strong recent record against MI, having won four out of the last five matchups.
With both teams sitting on four points each, only net run rate differentiates seventh placed MI (0.067) from eighth placed CSK (-0.780), as in-form teams have already surged ahead with eight or more points.
Tilak Varma’s outstanding performance in Ahmedabad helped Mumbai Indians snap their four-match losing streak, but the five-time champions remain in damage control mode. For MI, Tilak’s century could be the catalyst they need to reignite their campaign, given their historical ability to overcome such challenges in the IPL.
However, concerns linger over the form of India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and MI skipper Hardik Pandya, with Suryakumar managing just one half-century thus far and Pandya yet to provide the late fireworks or stabilize the innings when required.
In light of these challenges, Naman Dhir has been called upon to rise to the occasion, and the Punjab batter has done so commendably.
Jasprit Bumrah’s return to wicket-taking form was a significant boost for MI in their impressive 99-run victory, alongside Ashwani Kumar’s four-wicket haul, alleviating some concerns in the camp as neither Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, nor Hardik Pandya have consistently secured early breakthroughs.
For MI, English all-rounder Will Jacks has arrived in India, joined the squad ahead of Thursday’s match, and has been training at the Wankhede Stadium, with the expectation that he will further enhance the lineup.
Probable XI for MI vs CSK:Mumbai Indians (MI): Quinton de Kock (wk), Danish Malewar/Rohit Sharma, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Krish Bhagat, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwani Kumar (Impact).
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Urvil Patel/Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Gurjapneet Singh.
(With PTI inputs)
