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

MI and CSK will face off in a high-stakes ‘El Clasico’ of the IPL at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. CSK is currently in the third spot, with six points from three wins and two losses. In their last game, they secured a victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

On the other hand, MI has also gained momentum, winning two games after three losses, and is placed at the seventh spot. They had a convincing win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their previous game. In their 36 meetings, CSK has emerged victorious 16 times, while MI has won 20 games.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Stephen provided an update on Pathirana, expressing hope that he would be available for the match and emphasizing his importance to the team. Fleming also addressed Gaikwad’s performance, defending his strike rate and expressing confidence in his abilities. Gaikwad has scored 155 runs in the current IPL season at an average of 38.75 and a strike rate of 117.42 in five matches.

Fleming highlighted the evolution of batting in the IPL and the need to find ways to balance the game to provide more opportunities for bowlers. Fleming also emphasized the significance of the upcoming fixture between MI and CSK, acknowledging it as a highly-anticipated rivalry due to the teams’ success and star-studded lineups over the years. He expressed the team’s excitement for the fixture but emphasized the importance of staying focused and not letting emotions overshadow the occasion.