Chennai Super Kings (CSK) host Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 44 of IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Match starts at 7:30 PM IST (toss at 7:00 PM IST).
Watch the live telecast on Star Sports Network and live stream on JioHotstar (app and website).
The El Clasico of IPL cricket. CSK vs MI is the most-watched, most-hyped rivalry in the tournament’s history. But this edition has a twist: both teams are fighting for survival, not glory. CSK are 6th (3 wins, 5 losses). MI are 9th (2 wins, 6 losses). A loss for either team tonight could effectively end their playoff hopes.
The last time these two met, CSK destroyed MI by 103 runs at the Wankhede, riding a Sanju Samson century. MI will remember that humiliation. But their form since has not improved. They just lost to SRH, who chased down 243 at Wankhede, their 6th defeat in 8 matches.
CSK vs MI IPL 2026 Match 44: Quick Details
| Match | CSK vs MI, IPL 2026 Match 44 |
| Date | Saturday, May 2, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST (Toss at 7:00 PM IST) |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai |
| TV Telecast (India) | Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu, Star Sports 1 Kannada (+ HD) |
| Live Streaming (India) | JioHotstar (App and Website) |
| Live Streaming (UK) | Sky Sports Cricket / Sky Go / NOW TV |
| Live Streaming (USA) | Willow TV |
| Live Streaming (Australia) | Kayo Sports / Fox Cricket |
How to Watch CSK vs MI Live in India
On TV: Star Sports Network broadcasts all IPL 2026 matches in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Available on Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV, and D2H.
Online Streaming: JioHotstar is the exclusive platform. Plans start at ₹79/month (Mobile), ₹149/month (Super), and ₹299/month (Premium with 4K). Bundled access available through Jio, Airtel, and Vi recharge plans.
CSK vs MI Head-to-Head Record in IPL
The greatest rivalry in IPL history. More matches, more drama, and more iconic moments than any other fixture.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 38 |
| MI Wins | 20 |
| CSK Wins | 16 |
| No Result | 2 |
| MI Lead Since 2019 | Dominant |
| Last Meeting (IPL 2026) | CSK won by 103 runs (Wankhede) |
| Combined IPL Titles | 10 (CSK 5, MI 5) |
Between them, these two franchises have won 10 of 18 IPL titles. Five each. That is 55% of all IPL trophies sitting in two dressing rooms. No other sporting rivalry in India carries this kind of pedigree.
The last meeting was brutal for MI. Sanju Samson’s century powered CSK to a massive total, and then the bowling dismantled MI for a 103-run loss at MI’s own Wankhede home. Tonight at Chepauk, where the pitch will favour CSK’s spinners, MI face an even tougher challenge.
CSK vs MI: Probable Playing XIs
Chennai Super Kings Probable XI
Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Rahul Tripathi, Ravichandran Ashwin, MS Dhoni [VERIFY availability], Akeal Hosein, Deepak Chahar, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Noor Ahmad / Spencer Johnson.
CSK at Chepauk with Ashwin, Hosein, and Noor Ahmad spinning is a nightmare for any batting order. The spin trio could bowl up to 12 overs between them. If Chepauk turns as expected, MI’s batting will struggle badly.
Mumbai Indians Probable XI
Ryan Rickelton (WK), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya (C), Tilak Varma, Robin Minz, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Allah Ghazanfar, Keshav Maharaj / Ashwani Kumar.
Keshav Maharaj could debut tonight. His left-arm spin on a Chepauk turner makes him immediately relevant. Without Rohit (hamstring) and Santner (injured), MI’s squad has been stretched thin. Will Jacks opening adds aggression, but his ability to handle slow spin is the key question.
Key Player Battles to Watch
Suryakumar Yadav vs Akeal Hosein: SKY is MI’s most important batter. Hosein’s left-arm spin on a Chepauk turner is a tricky matchup. SKY’s 360-degree game vs Hosein’s control and variations could decide the middle overs.
Sanju Samson vs Jasprit Bumrah: Samson scored a century in the last meeting. Bumrah has been off-colour but remains MI’s best hope. If Bumrah gets Samson early, MI have a chance. If Samson settles, the Chepauk crowd will go wild.
Ruturaj Gaikwad vs MI’s pace attack: Ruturaj found his rhythm vs GT. Against Bumrah and Boult in the powerplay at his home ground, he needs to capitalize. A captain’s knock tonight could keep CSK’s season alive.
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai
Chepauk is the slowest, most spin-friendly pitch in the IPL. Average first-innings scores at this venue in IPL 2026 are around 158 runs with a strike rate of 132. This is significantly lower than Wankhede (200+) or Chinnaswamy (193).
The pitch grips and turns, making life difficult for batters in the second half of the innings. Spinners are king here. CSK’s spin-heavy approach has been built around this surface for over a decade.
Weather: Around 32-34°C, typical Chennai humidity. No rain expected. Dew could play a role later in the evening, slightly easing conditions for the chasing team.
CSK vs MI Match 44 Prediction
Despite MI being the betting favourites (1.79), CSK have the home advantage at a surface that has historically troubled MI. Chepauk’s spin-friendly pitch favours CSK’s Ashwin-Hosein-Noor Ahmad trio over MI’s pace-heavy approach.
MI’s hope lies in Bumrah and Boult taking early wickets and Ghazanfar containing CSK in the middle overs. If Maharaj debuts and delivers on the Chepauk turner, MI could spring a surprise.
This is a must-win for both teams. A loss for either side makes playoffs near-impossible. When CSK and MI play with their seasons on the line at Chepauk, expect nothing less than a classic.
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Final Thoughts
CSK vs MI at Chepauk is the biggest Saturday night in IPL 2026. Tune in at 7:30 PM IST on Saturday, May 2 on Star Sports (TV) or JioHotstar (streaming).
10 IPL titles between them. Samson’s century in the last meeting. SRH chasing 243 to humiliate MI. Rohit and Santner both missing. Chepauk’s spin vs MI’s pace. And two of cricket’s greatest franchises fighting for survival, not silverware. The El Clasico has never meant this much in the league stage.
