CSK Suffers Major Setback Before IPL ‘El Clasico’ Against MI, Key Bowler Likely to Miss Out, Coach Suggests

MI and CSK are set to face off in a high-stakes ‘El Clasico’ of the IPL at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. CSK currently holds the third spot, with three wins and two losses, totaling six points. Their recent victory was against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

On the other hand, MI has picked up momentum with two consecutive wins after three losses and is placed at the seventh spot. They convincingly defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their previous game. The history of their encounters shows that CSK has emerged victorious in 16 games, while MI has triumphed in 20 games out of 36 meets.

Stephen Fleming, in a pre-match press conference, provided an update on the player Pathirana, expressing hope for his return and emphasizing his importance in such crucial games. Additionally, he dismissed discussions surrounding Gaikwad’s “slow” strike rate, commending his impressive performance and stating that proper context is necessary when analyzing statistics. Gaikwad has scored 155 runs in IPL 2024 at an average of 38.75 and a strike rate of 117.42 in five matches.

Fleming also highlighted the evolution of batting in IPL and the need for innovations that can balance the game favorably for the bowlers. He anticipates a fiercely competitive game between the two teams who each hold five IPL titles, expressing excitement for the fixture and the developing rivalry between the sides. Fleming also emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and embracing the occasion in the upcoming match.