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

MI and CSK will battle in a high-stakes ‘El Clasico’ of the IPL at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. CSK is currently in the third spot, with three wins and two losses, giving them six points. They had secured a win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their last game.

On the other hand, MI has also been gaining momentum, winning two games after three losses and is placed at the seventh spot. They had triumphed over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their previous game. Both sides have met on 36 occasions, with CSK emerging victorious 16 times and MI winning 20 games.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Stephen provided an update about Pathirana, who missed games against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), expressing hope for his return and emphasizing his importance in games like this. Fleming dismissed talks around Gaikwad’s “slow” strike rate, highlighting his impressive performance and the need to consider context when evaluating statistics. In five matches, Gaikwad has scored 155 runs in IPL 2024 at an average of 38.75 and a strike rate of 117.42.

Fleming acknowledged the evolving nature of batting in the IPL and suggested the need for measures to help balance the game for the bowlers, such as the two bouncers rule. He expressed his team’s anticipation for the highly-anticipated fixture and the competitive rivalry that has developed over the years, while also emphasizing the importance of keeping emotions in check and enjoying the occasion. Overall, both teams are geared up for a thrilling encounter at Wankhede Stadium, amplifying the excitement and anticipation surrounding this clash.