Fresh from the oven. A full-course meal titled Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings. Address to be delivered? Wankhede Stadium. The recipient? MI Paltan

After 321 days, Ro-hit Sharma and his boys घरी आले आहेत and will look to prolong a record they are proud of - seven wins in 10 meetings against CSK at our fortress.

Clash of the Titans. El Clasico. Fire vs Ice. Rohit vs MSD. The MI vs CSK rivalry has got many terms to it. But let’s not be carried away. Remember that final ball finish in the 2019 finals? The highlights should be a perfect starter dish to prepare for the main course: MI vs CSK Round 2023, part 1.

Our start to IPL 2023 didn’t go as per plan. But hey, there’s no place like home, and you know what? We cannot wait to engulf the Yellow in our sea of Blue and Gold.

What: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings

When: Saturday, April 8

Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

What to expect: A flood of runs and wickets, full-house featuring the Whistle Podu army and the MI Paltan, the trademark Dhoni sprints and glovework behind the stumps, and mind battles between Rohit and MSD. In short, EPIC DRAMA.

What you need to do: Just keep a pulse-meter handy to check your heart rates. And do not stay calm. Shout, scream, egg on our boys, fist-pump, and make sure your voice reaches the Wankhede, loud and clear! 

What they said:

“We have no concern with Surya’s form. Cricketers have bad days, and people keep speaking on and on about it and that is unfortunate. Look at the positive of what he has done in cricket over the last 18 months or so. We have the confidence that he will do his talent justice. We continue to back him.” – Kieron Pollard, MI Batting Coach throws his weight behind Suryakumar Yadav

“Tim is a very intelligent young man. He has gone around the world to understand the conditions. He is entrusted with the responsibility here. I know it is not the greatest position to be in. If things go well, you go dormant and no one praises you. For him, it is just about learning and he will get there. He is a strong guy and it is just a matter of time.” – Kieron Pollard on Tim David

Stat check

Paltan, let us know your emotions before the first El Clasico in IPL 2023. Who are you most excited to see? Hitman Rohit? Aapla Dada Surya? Pocket Dynamo Ishan? Cam Green? Our latest signing - or rather returnee - Riley Meredith?