Fans were left disappointed as two of the biggest icons of the Indian Premier League, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, missed the much-awaited IPL 2026 El Clasico between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on April 23.
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Heading into the match, it was hoped that at least one of the two stalwarts would return, but those expectations were dashed in the draw.
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya made the right call and opted to bowl first, expressing his satisfaction with his side’s record and confirming that MI will field an unchanged XI from their win over Gujarat Titans three days ago. However, the decision also confirmed that Rohit Sharma, who is nursing a hamstring injury, is not yet fit to resume his duties.
Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai Super Kings made one change but MS Dhoni remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a pre-tournament calf strain.
Both captains said they would have preferred to bowl on a surface that had a tinge of green but was expected to play well. “Looks green but plays quite well,” said Hardik on the toss. Gaikwad added that an uncapped Prashant Veer was brought in for Matt Short, although the team sheet listed Kartika Sharma in the playing XI instead.
Rohit, who played the first four matches of the season, walked off with a hamstring problem during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the venue and has since worked his way back. Dhoni, meanwhile, is yet to make an appearance this season. He had an extended session earlier this week, keeping wickets and hitting in the nets as he prepares to return.
Both teams have had a slow start to the season and are at the bottom of the table. Their approach has come under scrutiny, especially Chennai Super Kings, who have lost four out of six matches. Gaikwad has also faced pressure due to a dip in form, while injuries to players like Ayush Mhatre and Khaleel Ahmed have added to the team’s worries.
Mumbai Indians XI: Quinton de Kock (week), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (captain), Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Krish Bhagat, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar.
Impact Player Options: Will Jacks, Raj Bawa, Shardul Thakur, Danish Malewar, Mayank Rawat
Chennai Super Kings XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sanju Samson (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Gurjapneet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary
Impact Player Options: Prashant Veer, Matt Short, Matt Henry, Akeal Hosein, Urvil Patel
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– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
23 Apr 2026 19:25 IST
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