“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.
“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”
The 31-year-old, who was player of the tournament when India defended its T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest defeat in the IPL in front of its own fans at the Wankhede Stadium.
“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in the league.
“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.
“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”
The 31-year-old, who was player of the tournament when India defended its T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest defeat in the IPL in front of its own fans at the Wankhede Stadium.
“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in the league.
Published on Apr 24, 2026
#game #tells #Clear #mind #trick #CSKs #redhot #Samson">‘The game tells you what to do’: Clear mind does the trick for CSK’s red-hot Samson
While some batters arrive at away grounds determined to play a certain way regardless of the pitch, Chennai Super Kings’ Sanju Samson says his red-hot form in the IPL 2026 is a product of adaptability and an open mind.
After single-digit scores in his first three IPL knocks, Samson smashed his second hundred of the season against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, his unbeaten 101 off 54 balls setting up Chennai’s 103-run victory over the five-time champions.
With 293 runs from seven innings, Samson is now third in the leading scorers’ list this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad duo Abhishek Sharma (323) and Heinrich Klaasen (320).
Samson said it was not a typical Wankhede pitch and he had to adjust his game as the ball did not come nicely onto the bat.
“I think the game tells you what to do,” he added.
“I think you don’t have to come with a preconceived mindset, or you don’t have to be premeditating — this is how I play or this is what I want to do.
“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.
“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”
The 31-year-old, who was player of the tournament when India defended its T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest defeat in the IPL in front of its own fans at the Wankhede Stadium.
“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in the league.
#CSK #IPL #Akeal #Hosein #rewrites #PowerPlay #playbook #Chennai #Super #Kings">MI vs CSK, IPL 2026: Akeal Hosein rewrites PowerPlay playbook with Chennai Super Kings
Akeal Hosein doesn’t quite fit the conventional mould of a PowerPlay bowler.
A left-arm spinner entrusted with the new ball in a format dictated by power-hitters, Hosein has turned that role into an advantage — as he showed in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) emphatic win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
His spell of four for 17 not only broke the back of the MI chase but also underlined his growing influence this season. Having featured just once in the 2023 IPL, Hosein has made rapid strides, with his ability to read surfaces quickly and adapt lengths emerging as his x-factor.
“I’ve been trying to pick the coaches’ and players’ brains on red soil, black soil… what works where,” Hosein said, explaining the homework behind his execution. The key, he added, lies in making quick assessments — understanding pace off the surface, which deliveries grip and which skid — and relaying that information to his fellow bowlers.
Bowling in the PowerPlay, he admitted, comes with inherent risk. With only two fielders outside the circle, margins are thin. But Hosein’s approach is rooted in clarity and courage.
“You know the batters are going to come at you… it’s about being brave,” he said, before revealing a piece of advice from Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies T20 legend who is now a mentor with Kolkata Knight Riders, that has stayed with him. “If you are going to get hit, at least get hit to the two fielders protecting the boundary.”
That clarity of plan — bowl to the field, commit to the delivery — has allowed Hosein to thrive in phases where most spinners are shielded.
If his bowling has been about control, his celebrations have added a touch of theatre. The now-familiar “mask” gesture after wickets, he insisted, carries no deeper meaning.
“Everybody seems to have their own mask. Noor has a mask, a couple of footballers have their masks, so I just chose this one. I just chose this one to be my mask,” Hosein said.
“Nothing too much behind it. It’s just about, you know, celebrating small victories. Whenever you do well, you get a wicket. Whenever your teammates get a wicket as well, you just try to enjoy that moment and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.”
CSK will be hoping for Hosein’s mask celebrations to continue for the remaining season.
#IPL #CSK #Mumbai #Indians #biggest #defeat #IPL">IPL 2026, MI vs CSK: What is Mumbai Indians’ biggest defeat in IPL?
Mumbai Indians suffered its biggest defeat in Indian Premier League (IPL) history after its 103-run loss to archrival Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
After putting CSK into bat, Mumbai conceded 207/6 with visiting batter Sanju Samson scoring an unbeaten 101 off 54 balls.
But Hardik Pandya’s men faltered in the chase early on before being bowled out for 104 with CSK spinners Akeal Hosein (4/17) and Noor Ahmad (2/23) wreaking havoc.
Mumbai’s margin of defeat is the 12th heaviest in the league history.
MI’s biggest loss in IPL (by runs)
103 runs vs Chennai Super Kings, 2026 at Wankhede Stadium
87 runs vs Rajasthan Royals, 2013 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium
85 runs vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2016 at ACA-VDCA Stadium
76 runs vs Punjab Kings, 2011 at IS Bindra Cricket Stadium
66 runs vs Punjab Kings, 2008 at IS Bindra Cricket Stadium
Published on Apr 23, 2026
#IPL #CSK #Mumbai #Indians #biggest #defeat #IPL
Mumbai Indians suffered its biggest defeat in Indian Premier League (IPL) history after its 103-run…
#CSK #IPL #watch #IPL #match #Mumbai #Indians #Chennai #Super #Kings">MI vs CSK, IPL 2026: When, where to watch the IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings?
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will look to pick up flagging campaigns when they meet at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, April 23.
Host Mumbai Indians comes into the clash buoyed by a thumping victory against Gujarat Titans in its last match, but remains seventh in the table with four points from its six outings.
Chennai Super Kings, meanwhile, is one place below in eighth, having similarly won two of its six matches so far. It lost its last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Here are the live streaming and telecast details for the IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings:
Where will the IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings be played?
The IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
When will the IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings be played?
The IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will be played on April 23, 2026.
What time will the IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings start?
The IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will take place at 7:30 PM IST.
What time will the toss for the IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings happen?
The toss between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will take place at 7:00 PM IST.
Where will the IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings be broadcast?
The IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will be televised on the Star Sports Network in India.
Where will the IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings be live streamed?
The IPL 2026 match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website.
Squads
Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ryan Rickleton, Robin Minz, Raj Bawa, Raghu Sharma, Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Naman Dhir, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Allah Ghafanzar, Ashwani Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, Mayank Markande, Shardul Thakur, Quinton de Kock, Danish Malewar, Mohammad Izhar, Atharva Ankolekar, Mayank Rawat.
Chennai Super Kings
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), M.S. Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Spencer Johnson, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes.
Mumbai Indians, too, has fitness concerns. Rohit Sharma has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue sustained on April 12, and his availability will hinge on a late assessment. There is, however, a boost in the form of Will Jacks, who is set to be available for selection for the first time this season.
MI will also look towards Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his touch, much like Tilak Varma did in Ahmedabad on Monday, and provide impetus to a batting unit that has blown hot and cold.
Conditions could tilt the balance. Having chased down a 220-plus target against Kolkata Knight Riders on this very surface in its tournament-opener, Mumbai Indians will expect another high-scoring contest. Fresh off a win over Gujarat Titans on a black-soil pitch in Ahmedabad, it will look to translate that confidence into a sustained run — even as a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance this season.
Mumbai Indians, too, has fitness concerns. Rohit Sharma has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue sustained on April 12, and his availability will hinge on a late assessment. There is, however, a boost in the form of Will Jacks, who is set to be available for selection for the first time this season.
MI will also look towards Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his touch, much like Tilak Varma did in Ahmedabad on Monday, and provide impetus to a batting unit that has blown hot and cold.
Conditions could tilt the balance. Having chased down a 220-plus target against Kolkata Knight Riders on this very surface in its tournament-opener, Mumbai Indians will expect another high-scoring contest. Fresh off a win over Gujarat Titans on a black-soil pitch in Ahmedabad, it will look to translate that confidence into a sustained run — even as a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance this season.
Published on Apr 22, 2026
#Mumbai #Indians #Chennai #Super #Kings #familiar #rivalry #seeks #relevance">Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance
It is billed as the biggest rivalry of the Indian Premier League — not merely for the weight of silverware carried by the men in blue and gold and those in yellow, but also for the vast, global fanbases the two franchises have cultivated over the years.
And yet, in IPL 2026, both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have spent much of the first half languishing near the bottom of the table. The paradox, however, does little to dilute the occasion. Legacy ensures that interest remains undiminished, with loyalties split across households when the two sides meet at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday night.
Both teams are searching for rhythm, but it is CSK that arrives with more immediate concerns. A faltering chase of a 190-plus target in Hyderabad over the weekend exposed their fragility, and the absence of Ayush Mhatre — its leading run-scorer this season — due to a hamstring injury only compounds the challenge.
The void at the top will necessitate a reshuffle. Whether the management gives rookie Kartik Sharma another go remains to be seen. There is also lingering uncertainty around the availability of MS Dhoni, adding another layer of intrigue to CSK’s composition.
Mumbai Indians, too, has fitness concerns. Rohit Sharma has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue sustained on April 12, and his availability will hinge on a late assessment. There is, however, a boost in the form of Will Jacks, who is set to be available for selection for the first time this season.
MI will also look towards Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his touch, much like Tilak Varma did in Ahmedabad on Monday, and provide impetus to a batting unit that has blown hot and cold.
Conditions could tilt the balance. Having chased down a 220-plus target against Kolkata Knight Riders on this very surface in its tournament-opener, Mumbai Indians will expect another high-scoring contest. Fresh off a win over Gujarat Titans on a black-soil pitch in Ahmedabad, it will look to translate that confidence into a sustained run — even as a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance this season.
Suryakumar, meanwhile, finds himself in an unfamiliar space. With 121 runs from six outings at a strike rate of 151, the numbers aren’t dramatically different. But T20s are as much about expectation as output, and Suryakumar’s prolonged lean patch has invited scrutiny — even against the backdrop of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, true to his promise of taking “tough calls” after a fourth consecutive defeat, rang in four changes against Gujarat Titans. While most revolved around the bowling unit, the spotlight has inevitably lingered on Suryakumar’s returns.
For Sarfaraz, the journey has been about seizing moments. For Suryakumar, it is about rediscovering rhythm.
On Thursday, friendship will take a back seat. One returns home in rival colours with renewed purpose; the other seeks a turnaround. And in that sub-plot lies a personal contest that could well shape the larger outcome.
Suryakumar, meanwhile, finds himself in an unfamiliar space. With 121 runs from six outings at a strike rate of 151, the numbers aren’t dramatically different. But T20s are as much about expectation as output, and Suryakumar’s prolonged lean patch has invited scrutiny — even against the backdrop of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, true to his promise of taking “tough calls” after a fourth consecutive defeat, rang in four changes against Gujarat Titans. While most revolved around the bowling unit, the spotlight has inevitably lingered on Suryakumar’s returns.
For Sarfaraz, the journey has been about seizing moments. For Suryakumar, it is about rediscovering rhythm.
On Thursday, friendship will take a back seat. One returns home in rival colours with renewed purpose; the other seeks a turnaround. And in that sub-plot lies a personal contest that could well shape the larger outcome.
Published on Apr 21, 2026
#Sarfaraz #Suryakumar #battle #battle #Chennai #Super #Kings #visits #Mumbai #Indians">Sarfaraz vs Suryakumar: A battle within a battle as Chennai Super Kings visits Mumbai Indians
He couldn’t find a place in Mumbai’s XI for the first three games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Lucknow last November. But when Suryakumar Yadav finally told Sarfaraz Khan after the turn of the month he would play against Assam, the latter had a request.
“Let me bat at No. 3, please,” Sarfaraz is understood to have said — a spot Suryakumar himself preferred in Mumbai colours. Sensing both desperation and conviction in his close friend’s voice, the captain obliged. Sarfaraz responded with an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls.
That knock altered his T20 trajectory. Sarfaraz finished as Mumbai’s highest run-getter — 329 runs from seven innings at a strike rate north of 200 — and forced his way back into the IPL conversation, earning a contract with Chennai Super Kings after going unsold at the previous auction.
As he returns to familiar surroundings at the Wankhede Stadium — this time in CSK yellow — the narrative has flipped. Sarfaraz has quietly built momentum, scoring 147 runs from six innings at a strike rate of 171.
Suryakumar, meanwhile, finds himself in an unfamiliar space. With 121 runs from six outings at a strike rate of 151, the numbers aren’t dramatically different. But T20s are as much about expectation as output, and Suryakumar’s prolonged lean patch has invited scrutiny — even against the backdrop of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, true to his promise of taking “tough calls” after a fourth consecutive defeat, rang in four changes against Gujarat Titans. While most revolved around the bowling unit, the spotlight has inevitably lingered on Suryakumar’s returns.
For Sarfaraz, the journey has been about seizing moments. For Suryakumar, it is about rediscovering rhythm.
On Thursday, friendship will take a back seat. One returns home in rival colours with renewed purpose; the other seeks a turnaround. And in that sub-plot lies a personal contest that could well shape the larger outcome.
