IPL 2023 CSK vs MI Preview - here come Mumbai...

Key match stats

Pitch Stats – MA Chidambaram Stadium

Average first innings score: 182
Average first innings winning score: 196
Average powerplay score: 61
Win % batting 1st vs batting 2nd: 50% / 50%

Team form CSK vs MI

CSK: NLLWW
MI: WWLLW

Recent meetings: CSK won by 7 wickets

Preview CSK vs MI

With just 1 point separating at least 5 teams, possibly 6 depending on the the result of the RR vs GT game, then it really is all to play for in IPL 2023.

Mumbai are renowned for the strength of their finishes to IPL seasons and come into this match with back to back wins totheir name. On both occasions they've chased down scores of 200+ with relative ease highlighting the strength of their batting line-up - that's now 4 out of MI's 5 wins that have come while chasing.

Team	Win % batting first	Win % batting second
CSK	60%	40%
DC	50%	20%
GT	50%	80%
KKR	50%	25%
LSG	60%	40%
MI	33%	67%
PBKS	60%	50%
RR	80%	25%
RCB	80%	25%
SRH	50%	20%

In fact, as the stats above show, MI are one of just two teams this year who have a better record when chasing, the other being Gujarat Titans who only lost their 100% record in that regard in the surprise loss against DC (this blog being written before their game with RR this afternoon).

That trend goes against the historical grain of T20 cricket more generally which by in large has seen sides who bat second win more games of cricket than those who look to defend.

However, the MA Chidambaram Stadium has been bucking that trend for some time and of the the 9 venues being used in IPL 2023 that have seen 20 or more matches played at them, only this ground has a higher win % for sides batting first (57.7%) than it does for sides who like to chase (39.4%). Will that influence the decision of either side at the toss?

More recently, CSK lost here to PBKS despite having hit 200 runs in the first innings so chasing is certainly not out of the question. That defeat is part of a 3 match winless run for the Super Kings that included a washed out match in their last fixture against LSG.

That point might ultimately come in useful towards the end of the season but Chennai will want to win 3 of their remaining 4 games to be absolutely sure of a playoff spot come the end of the season.

Whether batting first or second, getting off to a fast start is absolutely crucial at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The average powerplay score here in IPL 2023 is 60.6 with only Mumbai's home ground at the Wankhede offering more rapid scoring during the first 6 overs (average powerplay score 61.6 in IPL 2023).

CSK vs MI head to head

MI bowling vs CSK batting

Having looked particularly quick and menacing on a Wankhede pitch with a bit of life in it, Jofra Archer was smashed around Mohali on a very flat deck last time out. In fact, despite Mumbai's heroics with the bat, their seam bowling options are still very limited both in numbers and quality as the below stats show.

MI pace bowling stats for IPL 2023

Extras have also proven a problem in recent matches with 25 given away in the win against RR and 17 more against PBKS. It goes without saying that if Mumbai are to maintain this winning run into the playoffs then they'll need to cut down on the free balls and runs that their seamers in particular are offering.

Of course when playing in Chennai spin is always going to be a critical factor. Piyush Chawla is leading what is otherwise a very inexperienced slow bowling unit at Mumbai.

Chawla IPL bowling stats at the MA Chidambaram Stadium

His previous stats at this venue are very good and it's worth remembering that CSK actually purchased him ahead of the 2020 season when they believed they'd be playing their home matches in Chepauk. Covid then struck, the league was forced to abandon it's home and away format for 3 years and during that period, Chawla took just 7 wickets in 8 IPL appearances. Now that home and away format is back, he's taken 15 wickets in 9 games and is still in with a shout of the Orange Cap!

CSK bowling vs MI batting

Having mentioned MI's shortage of pace bowlers, it's also worth noting that CSK have been struggling in that regard themselves. Deepak Chahar returned against LSG and they'll need him to find his rhythm quickly with CSK bowlers currently going at an economy rate of 10.1 in the powerplay, higher than any other side.

Moeen combined head to head stats vs Rohit and Ishan

It might be that the Super Kings opt to go with spin in the powerplay instead of using their expensive quicks. Moeen Ali has a good record against both Rohit and Ishan Kishan while as noted in my preview of the 2 sides earlier in the tournament, Jadeja is also a very effective operator against their right-handers.

Sky IPL batting stats at the MA Chidambaram Stadium

The return to form of Suryakumar Yadav is undoubtedly a key factor in Mumbai's current run of wins. If he can maintain that form through the remainder of the month then the Sky really is the limit (pun intended). Sky is one of only 6 players appearing in IPL 2023, to have a career batting average over 40 at the MA Chidambaram (min 5 innings played).

Pathirana death overs bowling stats

MI's strong middle order will have to cope with Lasith Malinga's 2nd coming in the form of Pathirana. Given the amount that Malinga contributed to this Mumbai franchise, it almost seems unnatural to see Pathirana turning out in the yellow of CSK but he is fast developing into a must pick player for his skills at the death. Test

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All stats used in this blog are from my own databases which are freely accessible below
IPL head to head player stats
IPL player stats by venue
IPL stadium statistics.
Images are my own with the exception of player profiles and highlights within GIFs which are not intended to infringe copyright- read full disclaimer. Background images are used under a creative commons license or otherwise royalty free.