No MS Dhoni; 3 Batters Who Could Be CSK's Biggest Match-Winners Vs MI In IPL 2025

Debashis Sarangi

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been successful vs MI [Source: IPLT20.com]Ruturaj Gaikwad has been successful vs MI [Source: IPLT20.com]

To the delight of cricket fans across the globe, the much-awaited eighteenth season of the Indian Premier League is set to kickstart on the 22nd of this month. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will cross swords against Kolkata Knight Riders in the first match of the season. 

Talking about Chennai Super Kings, the five-time champions will cross swords against Mumbai Indians in their tournament opener. CSK and MI have been arch-rivals in the IPL, which is why we expect a cracking contest at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. 

As the Super Kings gear up for the tournament, here are three CSK batters who could be pivotal against MI in the IPL 2025. 

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Innings
Runs
Average/SR
823839.67/143.37

(Ruturaj Gaikwad's IPL stats vs MI)

  • CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the backbone of his team's batting unit, having amassed 2380 runs at an average of 41.75 and a strike rate of 136.86. 
  • Gaikwad has been a proven performer against Mumbai Indians, as evidenced by the above stats. 
  • Although Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss the first few matches for MI, Gaikwad must negotiate the first few overs from Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. 
  • If he successfully keeps MI's new ball bowlers at bay, Gaikwad can certainly play a significant knock and emerge as CSK's game-changer with the bat. 

2. Shivam Dube

Innings
Runs
Average/SR
1021936.50/132.73

(Shivam Dube's IPL stats vs MI)

  • Swashbuckling batter Shivam Dube has been CSK's mainstay in the middle order. In 39 innings for the Super Kings, Dube has struck 1103 runs at an average of 34.47 and a strike rate of 159.16. 
  • Interestingly, Dube has been one of the clinical performers against MI, as evidenced by the data presented in the table. 
  • Furthermore, Dube has been a nightmare for left-arm off spinners in the IPL, scoring 96 runs against them at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 165.5. 
  • So, he could be CSK's game-changer in the middle overs, where Mitchell Santner is expected to operate for MI. Bumrah's injury could further help Dube, as he can smash the likes of Chahar, Boult and Hardik Pandya in the latter phases. 

3. Rahul Tripathi

Innings
Runs
Average/SR
10227
25.22/145.51

(Rahul Tripathi's IPL stats vs MI)

  • Dynamic batter Rahul Tripathi is the frontrunner to play at number three for Chennai Super Kings. 
  • Although he averages just over 25 vs MI, his strike rate of 145.51 signifies the impact he can make as a top order batter. 
  • Tripathi has been a proven performer in the IPL, slamming 2236 runs at an average of 27.27 and a strike rate of 139.3. 
  • His fearless approach and ability to score all around the park make him one of the CSK batters to watch out for in Chennai, where scoring against the new ball could be crucial for the teams.