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MI vs CSK, IPL 2026: As the IPL’s El Clasico between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) approaches, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma will be in the spotlight, with the Wankhede Stadium set to host the clash. As it stands, both the Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have decided not to rush their veterans and give them more time to recover from their respective injuries. The question also arises as to whether a match between these two former champions has ever taken place without Rohit and Dhoni.
MI vs CSK, IPL 2026: Did a match between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings take place without MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma?
Since the league’s inception in 2008, this is likely to be the first match between the Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to take place without Rohit or Dhoni. Rohit was part of the Deccan Chargers for the first three seasons before moving to Mumbai Indians where he led the franchise to five titles. 2016 and 2017 were the only seasons in which the Super Kings did not take part and Dhoni led the Yellow Army to win the title five times.
The former Super Kings captain suffered from a calf injury that forced him to miss the start of IPL 2026. Although the 44-year-old had recently started batting in the nets again, he still needed time to get fit. According to reports, Dhoni struggled in the nets for quite some time as the Super Kings prepared for the El Classico. The veteran also practiced holding the nets but the Super Kings are likely to wait until the next game before taking on Dhoni.
Rohit sustained a hamstring injury in the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and is probably still recovering from it.
MI vs CSK, IPL 2026: Where are Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings placed in the points table?
Despite having shared ten IPL titles, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are 7th and 8th respectively in the points table. Mumbai Indians started their campaign with a big win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium. But they have suffered four consecutive defeats against Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), leaving them looking completely out of their depth. But Hardik Pandya and Co. registered an NRR-boosting 99-run win over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Monday, April 20, to bounce back.
As for the Super Kings, their campaign began with three straight defeats before registering two straight wins over Delhi Capitals and Knight Riders. But the loss to the SunRisers set them back again. As Mumbai returns to winning ways, the Yellow Army faces a major challenge.
Also read: IPL 2026: Kevin Pietersen urges RCB star Jacob Bethell to stay in India | According to Alastair Cook, “it doesn’t matter at all”
