CSK vs MI IPL 2026 Clash Today: Live Score, Dream11 Tips, Playing XI & How to Watch

The 44th match of IPL 2026 brings the league’s fiercest rivalry back to Chepauk as Chennai Super Kings lock horns with Mumbai Indians in tonight’s “El Clasico” of T20 cricket. A packed MA Chidambaram Stadium will witness Hardik Pandya’s men try to revive their faltering campaign against Ruturaj Gaikwad’s yellow brigade in front of a sea of whistles and blue flags. Toss & playing XIs Mumbai won the toss and chose to bat first, with Pandya backing his top order of Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav to set a challenging total. Chennai remain unchanged, trusting Gaikwad, Devon Conway and Shivam Dube to chase under lights. In a surprise twist, neither MS Dhoni nor Rohit Sharma is part of the starting XI as both franchises continue their post-icon transition. Why tonight matters • Table pressure: CSK sit on three wins from eight matches while MI have just two, making this a virtual must-win for both clubs’ playoff hopes. • Head-to-head: Mumbai lead the all-time series 21-17, but Chennai boast a 70 % win record at Chepauk since 2020. • Key duel: Jasprit Bumrah versus Gaikwad could define the powerplay, while Ravindra Jadeja’s matchup against Suryakumar in the middle overs promises fireworks. Pitch & conditions The red-soil surface in Chennai has played slower as the tournament has progressed, encouraging cutters and spin. Anything above 175 should test even CSK’s deep batting, although chasing teams have won three of the last four night games here. Dew is expected after 9 pm, pushing captains to value wickets in hand. How to watch CSK vs MI live Fans in India can catch the live telecast on Star Sports Network from 7:30 pm IST, while free live streaming is available on JioCinema; overseas viewers should check local broadcasters and digital partners. Live score updates, ball-by-ball commentary and highlights will trend throughout the evening under the hashtags #CSKvsMI, #IPL2026 and #Chepauk. With playoff equations tightening and bragging rights on the line, the latest chapter of CSK vs MI promises high-voltage drama, crowd-roars echoing off the Marina shoreline and, perhaps, a last-over thriller that keeps search engines buzzing long after the final ball is bowled.