The El Clasico of IPL is underway as CSK and MI lock horns finally in Wakhede Stadium. Although all these years MI has had an upper hand on CSK in head-to-head stats, winning 21 out of 39 matches played in comparison to CSK’s 18 wins, the stalwarts of IPL seem not to have been in their best form this season. Both CSK and MI have been in a dilemma as both teams have only secured 4 points from the first six games. Both teams are having issues with captaincy, and the most valuable player is out for injury. Too many similarities, right?
Anyway, CSK today again had a mini collapse in batting order, with only their star batsman Sanju Samson putting up a formidable score and keeping the scoreboard going under pressure. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sarfaraz fell early as usual, as well as Dewald Brevis. Shivam Dube is also seen struggling against Spin, unlike himself. MI was able to bring the run rate down after Ashwani Kumar got Dewald Brevis.
CSK fans on Twitter can’t stop questioning CSK’s batting lineup again and are frustrated about it. Some fans are also seen praising Sanju Samson as the only saviour for them.
CSK batting this IPL season pic.twitter.com/CpWa24DTAV
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) April 23, 2026
Meet Ruturaj Gaikwad🥶 - CSK paid him 18cr & he is struggling to 18 runs in a match - His strike rate of 100 is the biggest crime in this batting world - His captaincy has been lacklustre, clueless till now - He can't take advantage of those powerplay overs, huge disaster -… pic.twitter.com/HJAs7nFYCg
— Akshat (@Akshatgoel1408) April 23, 2026
Even MI fans coudln’t stop adiring Sanju Samson’s batting prowess :
He bats so beautifully that I can't even hate him even when he is batting for CSK. Sanju is so Rohit Sharma coded while batting. pic.twitter.com/kudTSM6MtT
— Kusha Sharma (@Kushacritic) April 23, 2026
Fans even questioned CSK’s tactical mind and management decisions on batting combinations:
CSK batting Overton at 7 in a bat-first XI is contributing to this Samson slowdown, I think.
— Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk) April 23, 2026
Sanju Samson the only Saviour in CSK’s Batting lineup
CSK has less dynamic and balance in their middle order that is getting exposed each day also their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sarfaraz Khan not performing well falling early is disrupting their powerplay plans. Only positive is Sanju Samson who also fumbled at the beginning but ever since scoring that century he is the only sane batsman in their lineup who looks in form and is carrying the team.
Sanju Samson seems to have adapted well with CSK team and culture, he even said few days back, “ So I am getting very eased to settling as a CSK player and adapting too quickly. After two weeks I felt everyone is like me. Being a champion team doesn’t mean being arrogant and acting that way, I think this is what Mahi bhai set and the team acts so calm and cool. Even I am like that so I am settled well here”
Sanju Samson is currently batting at 78 off 43 balls today, may be inching towards another 100 at Wankhede , the only man standing tall amongst falling yellow army.
