In a crucial IPL 2026 match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bat first against Chennai Super Kings. The decision reflects MI's strategy to capitalize on the batting conditions, as Pandya noted the pitch looked promising. Unfortunately, MI's star player Rohit Sharma is still recovering from a hamstring injury, while CSK's legendary captain MS Dhoni is absent due to a persistent calf injury. Mumbai Indians introduced leg-spinner Raghu Sharma for his debut, aiming to bolster their bowling lineup. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed a desire to bat first as well, indicating confidence in their batting despite the challenges faced this season. Both teams, historically the most successful in IPL, have struggled this year, with MI winning only 2 of their 8 matches and CSK securing 3 victories.