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    Thursday, April 23, 2026
    Newyorkdigitalnews

    Picking a combined MI-CSK playing XI ahead of IPL 2026 clash at Wankhede Stadium

    New York Digital News.org
    New York Digital News.org
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    Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are set to face off in Game 33 of IPL 2026. The match will be played on Thursday, April 23, at the Wankhede Stadium.

    Both teams have had inconsistent campaigns so far, with MI placed seventh on the table with two wins from six matches, while CSK are eighth with a similar record.

    In terms of head-to-head, the two sides have met 39 times, with MI winning 21 games and CSK securing 18 victories. At the Wankhede Stadium, MI hold the upper hand, having won eight of the 13 encounters, while CSK have won five.

    Despite their positions in the lower half of the table, both teams boast several match-winners. On that note, here is a combined MI-CSK playing XI ahead of their IPL 2026 clash at the Wankhede Stadium.

    Top order: Rohit Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav

    Opening the batting for our combined MI-CSK XI are Rohit Sharma and Sanju Samson. Rohit has missed the last two matches due to a hamstring injury, but before that he looked in fine touch, scoring 137 runs in four innings at an average of 45.66 and a strike rate of 165.06, including one fifty.

    Meanwhile, Samson scored the first century of IPL 2026, remaining unbeaten on 115 off 56 balls against Delhi Capitals (DC). Overall, after six games, he has made 192 runs at an average of 38.40 and a strike rate of 174.54, including one hundred.

    At No. 3 is Suryakumar Yadav. The India T20I captain has not had the best campaign so far, managing 121 runs in six innings at an average of 20.16 and a strike rate of 151.25, including one fifty. However, he remains a match-winner capable of turning games single-handedly.

    Middle order / all-rounders: Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya (c), Mitchell Santner, Jamie Overton

    After a slow start, Tilak Varma found momentum in the game against Gujarat Titans (GT), smashing his maiden IPL century and remaining unbeaten on 101 off 45 balls. In six matches this season, he has scored 144 runs at an average of 28.80 and a strike rate of 187.01.

    At No. 5 will be Shivam Dube. The explosive hitter has amassed 123 runs in six innings at an average of 41.00 and a strike rate of 150.00. Next is Hardik Pandya, who will also lead the side. The premier all-rounder has not been at his best in the ongoing edition, scoring 96 runs at an average of 24.00 and a strike rate of 143.28, along with three wickets.

    Mitchell Santner has been decent for MI, picking up four wickets in three games and scoring 26 runs in two innings without being dismissed. Meanwhile, at No. 8 is Jamie Overton. The 32-year-old has impressed in recent games, taking eight wickets in five matches at an average of 17.87, a strike rate of 11.2, and an economy rate of 9.53, with best figures of 4/18.

    Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj

    Leading the bowling attack will be Jasprit Bumrah, who finally broke the shackles and picked up his first wicket of the 2026 edition in the sixth game of the season.

    Next is Noor Ahmad, the Afghan left-arm wrist spinner, who has taken four wickets in six matches while conceding runs at an economy rate of 9.57.

    The attack is completed by Anshul Kamboj, who has been impressive with 13 wickets in six matches, though he has gone for runs at an economy rate of 9.73.

    Impact Player: Dewald Brevis

    CSK and South African batter Dewald Brevis will feature as the Impact Substitute. The right-hander missed the first three games of the season due to injury, but since his return, he has scored 41 runs across two innings.