The IPL’s Biggest Rivalry Continues: CSK vs MI in a Clash of Titans!

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings saw off arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in a one-sided IPL 2023 contest in the ‘El Classico’ at the Wankhede. It was local hero Ajinkya Rahane who shone in the highly-anticipated contest with an explosive half-century, sealing an emphatic seven-wicket victory for the four-time champions.  Chennai’s chase was off to a shaky start after opener Devon Conway departed in the first over without troubling the scorers. The home side were looking to build on their brilliant start in the second innings, but all their good work was undone by a swashbuckling innings from veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane.

Rahane made his intentions clear after dispatching Jason Behrendorff for a brilliant maximum. But it was the following over from Arshad Khan, which truly swung the momentum in CSK’s favour as Rahane punished the young pacer for 23 runs which included one maximum and four consecutive boundaries. The 34-year-old eye-pleasing stroke maker blitzed his way to an 19-ball half-century, the fastest of IPL 2023, and eventually departed after scoring 61 runs off just 27 deliveries. But his dismissal came a bit too late for the home side as the Yellow Army were well on their way to sealing their second victory of the campaign.

CSK spinners turn the tide for the visitors

Earlier in the match, Rohit Sharma’s team were invited to bat first after Chennai Super Kings won the toss in front of a full house crowd at the Wankhede. The home side were off to a decent start after Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan stitched a brisk 38-run stand for the first wicket. However, the Mumbai skipper was sent packing by a peach of a delivery from Tushar Deshpande in the fourth over of the powerplay. Despite his dismissal, Kishan kept playing his shots, which eventually led to his downfall in the first over after the field restrictions. Ravindra Jadeja, who got rid of the well-set Mumbai opener, started dictating the terms along with Mitchell Santner.

The duo had the Mumbai batters in a tangle with their guile with the ball and shared five wickets between them in their combined eight overs to derail Mumbai’s batting innings. Tim David’s late riposte threatened to take the game away from the visitors but his departure meant that MI finished with a below-par total of 157 runs on a decent batting surface. As fun and exciting as it is to watch your favourite team on television with friends and family, nothing compares to the excitement and joy of going to a game and seeing your favourite team or superhero from close quarters. 

You rarely hear the Wankhede Stadium scream at the top of its voice when an opposition captain or an opposing team absolutely decimates Mumbai Indians. Wherever Chennai Super Kings go, or instead Mahendra Singh Dhoni goes, he makes himself heard. What’s it like when Dhoni arrives? Kids in balconies jump around like it’s Christmas Eve. And for those two-three minutes, even the people on the streets feel like they are a part of something special. 

Fans at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai went hammer and tongs to shower love on their 2011 World Cup hero and the current Chennai Super Kings skipper. Electric, scintillating, spine-tingling and whatnot? ‘We want Dhoni; we want Dhoni’ chants set the stage on fire while MS Dhoni was seen padded up before Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ambati Rayudu sealed the deal for the Super Kings in the Indian El Clasico. 

Being one of the best players of his time, Dhoni is widely revered as one of the greatest captains of the Indian team. The 41-year-old’s fanbase is second to none and fans buzzed with excitement as he led Chennai Super Kings once again at the IPL 2023. In one of the most anticipated matches of the season, Chennai Super Kings took on the five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, April 8.

Gearing up for the game, Chennai won the toss, and MS Dhoni opened up about returning to the Wankhede Stadium. The 41-year-old talked about the numerous memories he has of the stadium and how winning the 2011 World Cup isn’t the only good memory that is related to the stadium.

‘MS Seat’ marked at the Wankhede to commemorate Dhoni’s Worldm Cup-winning six

Recently, the seats at the Wankhede Stadium- ‘J282 to J286’ of the MCA (Maharashtra Cricket Association) were identified as the closest seats to where Dhoni’s six landed when he led India to their legendary World Cup final win against Sri Lanka in 2011. The exact position where the ball landed is still debated; however, the section of a few seats has been marked and will be made into a landmark in memory of the former Indian skipper’s shot, which fulfilled the dreams of millions of Indian cricket fans. As Chennai Super Kings arrived in training for the high-profile clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Dhoni cut the ribbon to mark the beginning of the project.