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CSK vs MI IPL 2026 Match 44: Playing 11, Pitch Report, Weather Forecast & Prediction: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians | Match 44, IPL 2026 Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai Toss Time: 7:00 PM IST | Match Time: 7:30 PM IST Live Streaming: JioHotstar | TV Broadcast: Star Sports 2 HD/SD
CSK vs MI Match Overview
The El Clásico of Indian Premier League cricket is back! Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are hosting Mumbai Indians (MI) for match 44 in IPL 2026. And it’s a game with a lot at stake. could not be higher. Both teams are at the bottom of the table in terms of points. This match is an absolute must-win knockout match for both teams.
CSK’s IPL 2026 form: CSK is currently sixth in the table of points with three wins and five losses in 8 matches. The IPL has been an up-and-down one. The squad’s balance has been disrupted by injuries; the star opener Ayush Mhatre is out, while the famous MS Dhoni has been sidelined by a calf strain.
Despite this, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is showing evidence of his best (an unbeaten 74 against GT), and Sanju Samson has been the most impressive batter, scoring over 300 runs as well as two centuries in the current season. CSK’s spin pair, consisting of Noor Ahmad as well as Akeal Hosein, is their most powerful weapon, particularly at Chepauk.
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Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2026 form: The Mumbai Indians are currently in 9th position with only two wins and six losses. This is an urgent need-to-win scenario. The captain, Hardik Pandya, has dropped four of his last five games. The injury sustained by Rohit Sharma in the middle of the list has hurt the batting lineup, and Jasprit Bumrah, the most reliable weapon of MI, has appeared off-color.
In addition, the loss of Mitchell Santner to injury has added to the spin woes of MI, but Allah Ghazanfar continues to impress. South African spinner Keshav Maharaj is being called up to serve for cover and is likely to be the first to make an appearance at the spin-friendly Chepauk wicket.
CSK vs MI Predicted Playing 11
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Predicted Playing 11
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanju Samson (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 2 | Ruturaj Gaikwad (C) | Opening Batter |
| 3 | Urvil Patel | Batter |
| 4 | Dewald Brevis | Batter |
| 5 | Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| 6 | Kartik Sharma | All-rounder |
| 7 | Jamie Overton | All-rounder |
| 8 | Akeal Hosein | Spin Bowler |
| 9 | Noor Ahmad | Spin Bowler |
| 10 | Anshul Kamboj | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Gurjapneet Singh | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Sarfaraz Khan, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Veer, Ramakrishnan Ghosh
Important Absentees: MS Dhoni (calf strain), Ayush Mhatre (ruled out)
Mumbai Indians (MI) – Predicted Playing 11
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Rickelton (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 2 | Will Jacks | Batter |
| 3 | Naman Dhir | Batter |
| 4 | Suryakumar Yadav | Batter |
| 5 | Tilak Varma | Batter |
| 6 | Hardik Pandya (C) | All-rounder |
| 7 | Robin Minz | All-rounder |
| 8 | Trent Boult | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Jasprit Bumrah | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | AM Ghazanfar | Spin Bowler |
| 11 | Ashwani Kumar | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Mayank Rawat, Raghu Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Kris Bhagat
Key Absences: Rohit Sharma (injury), Mitchell Santner (shoulder injury to his shoulder)
Pitch Report – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
The prestigious MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk is among the most iconic cricket venues, and the pitch has undergone an impressive transformation in recent years.
The pitch’s nature is It has transformed from the slow, low-turning track of the past to a more even and batting-friendly surface. Spin still plays a function—particularly during middle overs. High scoring contests have become the norm on this pitch.
Batting Conditions:
- The pitch is smooth and true at the beginning of the innings, and offers excellent bounce and bounce for players who are looking to make strokes.
- Batters can shoot freely during the play
- IPL 2026 has seen three of the four matches this year cross the 190-run mark
- The average score for the stadium during this season: 180-190
Bowling Conditions:
- Spinners gain grip and delicate turn as the game advances and the surface starts drying out
- Pacers require discipline cutters, lengths of hard material, and balls that are slower, will have more impact than raw speed
- Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad (CSK), and Allah Ghazanfar (MI) are likely to be the most important bowlers.
Dew Factor: There are a few reports that differ in this regard. Some reports indicate a minimal dew risk (3% chance of rain), while others report the humidity at 76% and an average dew temperature of 27 degrees, which could cause dew in the later stages of the overs. Teams could consider this in their decision to toss.
Toss Advantage: The outcome of the toss can be important. If the dew is present, it becomes much easier to chase. But, with a freshly laid wicket, playing first and aiming for a massive total can be equally effective.
CSK’s home record: CSK has played an average of 82 IPL matches at Chepauk and won 53. Chepauk is a true refuge they can rely on. MI’s record at Chepauk: MI have played 16 matches at Chepauk and has a corresponding 8-8 loss-win record.
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Weather Forecast – Chennai (May 2, 2026, Evening)
| Parameter | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | It was around 31 degrees at the time of the match (feels like 45°C when humid) |
| Sky Conditions | Partly to very cloudy (~93 percent cloud cover) |
| Rain Probability | Extremely low—around 3 percent. |
| Humidity | 65-77 (sticky, dry, humid conditions) |
| Wind | South-southeast winds at around 22 km/h. Winds can reach 44 km/h |
| Dew Point | ~27degC |
Outlook: This match is anticipated to continue without weather disruption. The conditions will be hot, humid, and physically demanding, particularly for speedy bowlers. The humid conditions can test players’ endurance throughout the match. CSK vs MI A sea breeze at night could offer some relief, but not enough to drastically change the game’s conditions. There is no chance of rain.
Head-to-Head CSK vs MI Record
- Total Matches Played: 40 (as of IPL 2026)
- MI Wins: 21
- CSK Wins: 19
- Last meeting (April 23rd 2026): CSK beat MI by a huge score of 103 in Wankhede Stadium, with Sanju Samson scoring a magnificent century
CSK vs MI Key Player Matchups
Sanju Samson, Sanju Samson, Jasprit Bumrah—the best individual fight. Samson is in top performance (2 centuries, more than 300 runs), and Bumrah is trying to regain his passion after a disappointing stretch.
Ruturaj Gaikwad Vs Allah Ghazanfar—The CSK captain is finding his form once again. Ghazanfar,, the MI’s most brilliant spinner of the season, is set to test his skill.
Suryakumar Yadav against Noor Ahmad—the SKY against the top turn on a circuit at Chepauk. This is going to be fascinating to see.
Hardik Pandya against Anshul Kamboj—Hardik Pandya, the CSK pacer, has proven to be successful in his regular long line. Hardik really needs runs to prove his captaincy.
CSK vs MI Match Prediction
Winner Prediction: Chennai Super Kings
CSK has multiple advantages going into this game:
- Home ground of Chepauk, the ground where the team has won 52 out of the 82 IPL matches
- A dominant spin attack is well-suited to the circumstances (Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein)
- A thriving batting team led by Sanju Samson and a rejuvenated Ruturaj Gaikwad
- They have a psychological advantage—they defeated MI by the score of 103 in their most recent meeting
MI is lacking match-winners, with Rohit Sharma and Mitchell Santner absent, and Bumrah has yet to reach his best this season. If MI’s top order fails to perform collectively and Bumrah performs a flawless performance, CSK looks well-placed to make it a double victory over their adversaries.
Expected Score CSK: 185-195 MI: 55-165 The prediction: CSK prevails by 25-30 runs
