Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will kick off their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, relying heavily on their revamped spin arsenal to exploit the spin-friendly Chepauk pitch.

The five-time champions, bolstered by the additions of Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Shreyas Gopal, and Deepak Hooda in last year’s mega auction, alongside stalwart Ravindra Jadeja, aim to capitalize on their recent dominance over MI—winning four of their last five encounters, including the past three.

CSK’s strategy aligns with the Chepauk’s slow, turning track, where spin has historically dictated outcomes. Leading the charge will be captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, with either New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra or Devon Conway likely to open alongside him. The middle order, featuring Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, and the evergreen MS Dhoni, promises stability and firepower.

Dhoni, a CSK icon since the IPL’s inception in 2008, remains a focal point for fans.

MI, also five-time winners, face a tough start. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, sidelined by a back injury, will miss the initial matches, weakening their death-overs bowling.

Additionally, regular captain Hardik Pandya is suspended for this game due to a slow over-rate penalty from last season, leaving Suryakumar Yadav to lead. Despite losing Ishan Kishan, MI’s batting boasts Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, and Tilak Varma, while Trent Boult and Corbin Bosch headline a depleted pace attack. The clash, starting at 7:30 PM IST, promises a thrilling opener.