Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey

The IPL El Clasico is upon us nice and early in IPL 2025, with Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians going head-to-head in the 3rd match of the season. Both teams have aspirations of a playoffs appearance after missing out in IPL 2024, and CSK in particular will be looking to make their home advantage count right away.

CSK, under the leadership of Stephen Fleming and Ruturaj Gaikwad, look settled and balanced. They have a strong top order and their bowling attack has the ingredients to deliver at all stages of the innings. However, one area they will want to nail is their finishing with the bat.

MI are seeking their first win in the opening game of an IPL season since 2012. They will have to do it without skipper Hardik Pandya and premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Also, their strong batting lineup is on notice after failing to deliver last season. If they can finally crack their first game woes, MI will only grow in confidence in an important season for the franchise.

In this article, we will look at the possible playing XIIs, Chepauk conditions, fantasy tips, matchups and Dream11 Prediction for the 3rd match of IPL 2025 between CSK and MI.

IPL 2025 3rd Match: CSK vs MI Possible Playing XIIs

CSK could have a decision to make between Rachin Ravindra and Noor Ahmad as their final overseas pick.

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), 2. Devon Conway (OS), 3. Rahul Tripathi/Rachin Ravindra (OS), 4. Shivam Dube, 5. Deepak Hooda, 6. Sam Curran (OS), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. MS Dhoni (wk), 9. R Ashwin, 10. Matheesha Pathirana (OS), 11. Mukesh Choudhary/Noor Ahmad (OS), 12. Khaleel Ahmed

MI could play Shrijith Krishnan or Corbin Bosch in place of Hardik Pandya. Shrijith averages 32.75 with a strike rate of 146.64 in 17 T20s to date. But, he does not offer a bowling option. Bosch, on the other hand, can bowl rapidly. If he plays, Mujeeb Ur Rahman will likely miss out with MI to go for Karn Sharma’s legspin.

Mumbai Indians: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Will Jacks/Ryan Rickelton (OS), 3. Naman Dhir, 4. Suryakumar Yadav (c), 5. Tilak Varma, 6. Robin Minz (wk), 7. Corbin Bosch (OS), 8. Mitchell Santner (OS), 9. Raj Bawa, 10. Deepak Chahar, 11. Karn Sharma, 12. Trent Boult (OS)

MA Chidambaram Stadium Chepauk Chennai Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score at Chepauk in IPL 2024 was 169.89. The chasing team won six of the nine matches.

There is talk that Chepauk could favour spinners more in IPL 2025. A hot and humid night is forecast in Chennai, with dew a possibility in the second innings. So, a second ball may be introduced. There is no rain expected.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for CSK vs MI: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• If Ryan Rickelton is selected, he promises to be a great Dream11 pick. The left-hander recently hit a century in the Champions Trophy and was excellent in the SA20: 8 inns, 336 runs, avg. 48.00, SR 178.72.

Key batter picks:

• If picked, Rachin Ravindra is a must-pick in Dream11. He won player of the tournament at the recent Champions Trophy and will bat up the order for CSK. He can also offer some overs if needed.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad loves batting at Chepauk: 15 inns, 706 runs, avg. 58.83, SR 139.80. Gaikwad also has very decent numbers against MI: 8 inns, 238 runs, avg. 39.67, SR 143.37.
• Since the start of 2022, Shivam Dube has scored 143 runs vs MI at an average of 47.67 and strike rate of 136.19. Also, in this period, Dube has scored 816 runs in the middle overs at a strike rate of 150.8 overall in the IPL.
• Since the start of 2023, Tilak Varma has smashed 1,559 runs in all T20s at an average of 45.9 and strike rate of 154.8.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Ravindra Jadeja can have a key role to play with both bat and ball. He has dominated Suryakumar Yadav in the IPL: 62 balls, 48 runs, four wickets.

Key bowler picks:

• Trent Boult has a strong record against both CSK openers. He has overall figures of 3/23 in 26 balls against Ruturaj Gaikwad and 2/44 off 35 balls against Devon Conway.
• Matheesha Pathirana takes a wicket every 13.20 deliveries at Chepauk. Also, he has taken seven wickets in two matches against MI. Given he bowls in the crunch overs, Pathirana has wicket-taking potential.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Suryakumar Yadav is one of the world’s top T20 players. But, his record against CSK is modest (314 runs, avg. 28.55, SR 125.60) and needs to improve against Ravindra Jadeja.
• Rohit Sharma looked in good form in the Champions Trophy, so he can be a good pick here. But, he averages just 24.80 with a strike rate of 123.18 in 17 T20s at Chepauk.
• Sam Curran can be a handy pick. He bowls in the crunch overs and could be an important finisher for CSK with the bat.
• Consider Mitchell Santner for Chepauk. Santner is in outstanding form, and if he finds some turn on this surface, he can be even more challenging with his variations in pace.

Other Stats and Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 39, CSK 18, MI 21.
• Head-to-head at Chepauk: Matches 9, CSK 3, MI 6.
• Devon Conway vs MI: 3 inns, 44 runs, avg. 14.67, SR 93.62.
• Khaleel Ahmed has had the better of Rohit Sharma in T20s: 39 balls, 28 runs, two wickets.
• Matheesha Pathirana vs Suryakumar Yadav in all T20s: 11 balls, 20 runs, three wickets.
• R Ashwin in T20s at Chepauk: 47 inns, 55 wickets, avg. 21.16, SR 19.91.
• Deepak Chahar takes a wicket every 16.13 deliveries on average in T20s at Chepauk.
• Sam Curran vs Suryakumar Yadav in all T20s: 38 balls, 84 runs, three dismissals.

IPL 2025 3rd Match: CSK vs MI Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2025 3rd Match: CSK vs MI Match Prediction – Who will win?

MI are perennial slow starters. Plus, they have no Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. CSK to win.