IPL 2026: CSK race to 73/2 at the end of powerplay against MI

Sanju Samson (Pic: AFP)

Chennai Super Kings got off to a flying start, racing to 73/2 at the end of the powerplay against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.

Sanju Samson led the charge with a quickfire 35, as MI bowlers struggled to maintain consistent line and length in the opening overs.

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya opened the bowling for the hosts, but Pandya proved expensive, conceding runs at a high rate in his two overs. Mumbai found some relief once spin was introduced into the attack.

AM Ghazanfar and Mitchell Santner picked up a wicket each to pull things back slightly. Ruturaj Gaikwad was the first to fall, caught by Tilak Varma at long-off, while Sarfaraz Khan was clean bowled by Santner in the final over of the powerplay.

With a deep batting line-up still to come, CSK will look to build on the strong start and post a competitive total. For MI, the wicket of Samson could prove crucial in regaining control.

Earlier, Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first, citing the conditions.

"We are going to bowl first. I think a lot of boxes were ticked. The intensity was there. We needed that kind of game where everyone contributes. It was a perfect team effort," Hardik Pandya said.

Gaikwad revealed that CSK would have also preferred to bowl first but was confident regardless of the decision. He also confirmed that MS Dhoni is missing the match due to a recurring calf issue.

"We would have bowled first as well, but it was a 50-50 call. It looks like a good wicket and at Wankhede, you have to bat well irrespective of the situation. It's about putting up a strong performance even if you're batting first. The team is confident and ready," Ruturaj Gaikwad said.

Confirmed Playing XI for both teams:

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Krish Bhagat, AM Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary