A high-stakes Super Sunday awaits fans in IPL 2025 with two thrilling encounters on the cards — Punjab Kings take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an afternoon face-off at New Chandigarh, while the evening promises fireworks at the Wankhede as five-time champions Mumbai Indians host arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings in what many call the ‘El Clasico’ of the IPL.
MI vs CSK: A Rivalry Renewed Under Wankhede Lights
Having met 37 times in the IPL, MI hold a 20-17 edge over CSK and will be keen to settle scores after their season-opening defeat to Chennai. That loss at Chepauk saw CSK cruise to a comprehensive win, but the dynamics have since shifted.
Suresh Raina, speaking ahead of the clash, believes Mumbai hold the edge this time. “MI look very strong. Their power-hitters give them the upper hand,” he said in a JioHotstar interaction. With back-to-back wins over Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, MI have turned their campaign around and currently sit seventh in the standings. A win on Sunday could push them closer to the top four.
Wankhede’s surface has surprisingly offered turn and grip this season, aiding Mumbai’s bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, and debutant Vignesh Puthur, who impressed in the last outing. While MI may adjust their strategy against CSK’s spin-heavy line-up, they’ll rely on their pace core and power-packed middle order — Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma — to deliver the goods.
CSK, meanwhile, come into the match after breaking a four-game losing streak with a narrow win over Lucknow Super Giants. The spotlight will be firmly on MS Dhoni, whose appearance at Wankhede — where he sealed India’s 2011 World Cup triumph — could possibly be his last. The inclusion of Dewald Brevis and youngster Ayush Mhatre aims to breathe new life into their faltering batting line-up.
Probable Playing XIs: Mumbai Indians: Ryan Rickelton (wk), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (capt), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Vignesh Puthur. Impact Sub: Rohit Sharma
Chennai Super Kings: Rachin Ravindra, Shaik Rasheed, Rahul Tripathi, Ravindra Jadeja, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni (capt, wk), Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana. Impact Sub: Shivam Dube
PBKS vs RCB: Momentum vs Redemption in New Chandigarh
Earlier in the day, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru square off for the second time in just three days. PBKS had edged RCB in a rain-curtailed 14-over thriller in Bengaluru on Friday and will be eyeing a double over the southern giants.
RCB, currently fifth on the table with four wins from seven, need a quick turnaround after back-to-back losses. Openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli must provide a solid start, while skipper Rajat Patidar and the middle order — featuring Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Krunal Pandya — will have to step up. Their bowling relies heavily on Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with support from Krunal, Yash Dayal, and Suyash Sharma.
Punjab Kings have momentum on their side. Their bowling unit, featuring Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Marco Jansen, and a rejuvenated Yuzvendra Chahal, has been among the most effective this season. On the batting front, openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have laid strong platforms, with Josh Inglis, Wadhera, Stoinis, and Shashank Singh providing depth and power.
Th e two sides have an even rivalry with PBKS holding a slight edge — 17 wins to RCB’s 16 in 33 clashes.
Probable Playing XIs:
Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (capt), Josh Inglis (wk), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
