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'It is Like Manchester United Playing...,': Moeen Ali Compares MI vs CSK to Football Rivalry

image-lg7n9u0kCaptain MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma [iplt20.com]

In what promises to be a riveting encounter, Mumbai Indians will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings in a much-anticipated clash during the ongoing 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League on Saturday.

Both teams boast an illustrious history in the tournament, with MI clinching a record-breaking five titles, while CSK follows closely with four victories to their name. Significantly, both sides achieved all of their triumphs under the stewardship of a single captain, with Rohit Sharma leading MI to all five titles and Mahendra Singh Dhoni helming CSK in all four of their wins.



During CSK's pre-match press conference held at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, CSK all-rounder Moeen Ali expressed his eagerness for the upcoming clash, describing it as the pinnacle of the competition and stating that this fixture is among the most significant games a cricketer can play outside of international cricket.

“This is a game I really look forward to. These are the two most successful franchises and the fan-following is huge and this is one of the biggest games you can play as a cricketer outside of international cricket," said Moeen.

The southpaw also drew a comparison with football, saying that the contest is akin to Manchester United squaring off against Liverpool in terms of its magnitude.

“In football’s point of view it is like Manchester United playing Liverpool. These are huge games,” added the England veteran.

Despite their past successes, both teams have encountered difficulties in the current season, with a significant core of players departing in the mega auction held in 2022. In the previous edition, CSK finished a lowly ninth in the points table, while MI languished at the bottom.

The IPL's fiercest rivalry, often dubbed as the 'El Clasico' of the league, has been one-sided thus far, with Mumbai Indians triumphing in 20 out of the 34 face-offs against Chennai Super Kings. The high-voltage encounter slated for Saturday is anticipated to be another exhilarating and captivating spectacle, as two of the most successful franchises in the IPL history collide once again.