Chennai Super Kings have the edge over Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 Match 44. CSK’s home dominance at Chepauk, their spin-heavy bowling unit, and MI’s dismal season make this a clear tilt towards the hosts. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s men will look to consolidate their playoff push on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Mumbai Indians, sitting near the bottom of the table with just 2-3 wins all season, face a must-win situation in hostile territory. Expect the Chepauk spin factor and evening dew to play kingmaker.
IPL 2026 Match 44 CSK vs MI Match Info
Every detail you need before the first ball is bowled.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 44, IPL 2026 (TATA IPL) |
| Teams | Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians |
| Date | Saturday, May 2, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai |
| CSK Captain | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| MI Captain | Hardik Pandya |
| CSK Coach | Stephen Fleming |
| MI Coach | Mahela Jayawardene |
| Live Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
IPL 2026 Match 44 Odds for CSK vs MI
CSK are the clear favourites across every major platform for this clash. And honestly, it is hard to argue against it.
Playing at Chepauk with their spin duo of Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein, CSK hold a natural advantage that MI’s struggling batting lineup will find tough to overcome. MI’s win odds sit in the 2.30-2.50 range, reflecting a side that has lost more games than it has won this season. The toss market is close to even, because both captains will likely want to chase under lights with dew expected.
| Platform | CSK Win Odds | MI Win Odds | Toss Odds (CSK) | Toss Odds (MI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.62 | 2.35 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| Stake | 1.58 | 2.40 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
| 4RABET | 1.65 | 2.30 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| BetVibe | 1.60 | 2.38 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
IPL 2026 Match 44 Toss Prediction for CSK vs MI
At Chepauk under lights, the toss has been a genuine game-changer in IPL 2026.
Evening dew typically sets in from around the 14th-15th over of the second innings at MA Chidambaram Stadium. That makes gripping the ball harder for bowlers and turns batting second into a noticeable advantage.
In the four night games played here this season, three out of four have been won by the team chasing (source: ESPNcricinfo). The lone exception came when CSK posted 212/2 against DC, and their spinners strangled the chase.
Expect both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Hardik Pandya to opt to bowl first if they win the toss. The captain who wins it gets a tangible edge in this match.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will opt to field first.
CSK Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 44
Chennai Super Kings have settled into a consistent core XI through the middle phase of IPL 2026. The big blow this season has been Ayush Mhatre’s hamstring tear (ruled out for the remainder of the tournament) and Nathan Ellis’s injury. CSK signed Akash Madhwal as Mhatre’s replacement (source: ESPNcricinfo).
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanju Samson (wk) | WK-Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Urvil Patel | Batter |
| 4 | Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| 5 | Dewald Brevis | Batter |
| 6 | Kartik Sharma | Batter |
| 7 | Jamie Overton | All-rounder |
| 8 | Anshul Kamboj | Bowler |
| 9 | Noor Ahmad | Bowler (Left-arm wrist-spin) |
| 10 | Mukesh Choudhary | Bowler (Left-arm pace) |
| 11 | Gurjapneet Singh | Bowler (Left-arm pace) |
| 12 | Akeal Hosein (Impact) | Bowler (Left-arm spin) |
Key Players to Watch for CSK
Sanju Samson has been CSK’s standout performer this season. After a quiet start (22 runs in his first three innings), Samson has exploded with two centuries, including an unbeaten 101 off 54 balls against MI in Match 33 (source: IPLT20.com). He recently crossed the 5,000 IPL runs milestone, becoming the fastest Indian batter to achieve the feat.
Anshul Kamboj has been the tournament’s leading wicket-taker for much of the season with 13+ wickets from his matches, thanks to his wide yorkers at the death and sharp new-ball bowling (source: CricTracker).
Key Absence: MS Dhoni has not featured in CSK’s playing XI this entire season due to a calf injury. There is no confirmed timeline for his return.
MI Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 44
The Mumbai Indians have had a season to forget. Hardik Pandya’s side sits near the bottom of the table with just a handful of wins. The batting lineup, despite names like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, has been wildly inconsistent. The bowling, however, still has Jasprit Bumrah leading it, which means MI always has a puncher’s chance.
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quinton de Kock (wk) | WK-Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Danish Malewar | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Naman Dhir | Batter |
| 4 | Suryakumar Yadav | Batter |
| 5 | Tilak Varma | Batter |
| 6 | Hardik Pandya (c) | All-rounder |
| 7 | Sherfane Rutherford | All-rounder |
| 8 | Mitchell Santner | All-rounder (Left-arm spin) |
| 9 | Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler (Right-arm fast) |
| 10 | AM Ghazanfar | Bowler (Left-arm spin) |
| 11 | Ashwani Kumar | Bowler (Right-arm pace) |
| 12 | Shardul Thakur / Deepak Chahar (Impact) | All-rounder / Bowler |
Key Players to Watch for MI
Suryakumar Yadav leads MI’s run charts in IPL 2026 with 396 runs from 10 matches at an average of 49.5 and a strike rate of 162.29 (source: ESPNcricinfo). He is the one MI batter capable of single-handedly taking the game away.
Jasprit Bumrah remains MI’s crown jewel. He became the first Indian pacer to reach 180 wickets for a single franchise earlier this season (source: Wikipedia). However, his impact has been limited by a lack of support at the other end.
Injury Update: Rohit Sharma missed multiple matches earlier this season with a hamstring issue. His availability for Match 44 remains a question mark. If fit, he could slot back into the top three.
MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report IPL 2026
Chepauk is not the ground it used to be. The red-soil surface that once turned square on day one has evolved into a more balanced wicket in IPL 2026. But make no mistake, it still favours the hosts.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stadium | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai |
| Capacity | ~38,000 |
| Pitch Type | Red soil, traditionally spin-friendly, improved for batting in 2026 |
| Average 1st Innings Score (IPL 2026) | 175-185 runs |
| Boundary Size | Square: 65-68m, Straight: ~80m |
| Best Strategy | Bat second in evening games (dew factor) |
Here is what to expect from the surface on May 2:
- Pace and bounce early on. The first six overs have offered genuine carry in IPL 2026 at Chepauk, as seen when Kagiso Rabada ripped through CSK’s top order in Match 37 (source: ESPNcricinfo).
- Spinners dominate the middle overs. Once the ball gets old, the surface grips and turns. Wrist spinners and orthodox left-armers have been particularly effective. CSK’s Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein are built for these conditions.
- Dew in the second innings. Evening games at Chepauk bring significant dew from around the 14th over onward. This makes bowling second a nightmare, which is why three of four night games here in IPL 2026 have been won by the chasing team.
- First innings totals in IPL 2026 at this venue: 209, 212, 192, 158. The surface can go either way depending on conditions. A day game produced 158 (CSK vs GT), while evening games have seen 200+ totals.
- CSK’s home record at Chepauk is extraordinary: 68 wins from 98 IPL matches at this ground (source: Business Standard). This is one of the hardest places for any visiting team.
Chennai Weather Report, May 2, 2026
It will be a hot, dry evening in Chennai. No rain is expected, which means a full 40-over match is virtually guaranteed.
| Weather Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Condition | Clear skies, sunny transitioning to clear night |
| Temperature | 28°C – 31°C (evening match hours) |
| Humidity | 65–70% (moderate to high) |
| Wind Speed | Moderate, 15–20 km/h from the south |
| Cloud Cover | Minimal |
| Dew Factor | High dew expected from ~14th over of the 2nd innings onward |
| Rain Probability | Less than 5% during match hours (7:30 PM – 10:45 PM IST) |
| Match Interruption Risk | Very Low, a full match is almost certain |
(Source: AccuWeather Chennai forecast, AQI.in 10-day forecast)
Dream11 Team for CSK vs MI
CSK vs MI Head-to-Head Last 5 Matches
Overall Head-to-Head (IPL History):
This is the El Clásico of the IPL. No two teams have played each other more often in IPL history. Through 39 completed matches, MI leads 21-18. They have also met in four IPL finals, with MI winning three.
| Matches Played | CSK Wins | MI Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 18 | 21 | 0 |
But the recent form tells a different story. CSK have won 6 of the last 7 encounters against MI since 2023 (source: asiacup.com.in). That includes the 103-run demolition in Match 33 of this very season.
At Chepauk specifically, MI have won 5 of their 9 meetings against CSK. It is the only ground where MI have consistently breached CSK’s home fortress (source: Sportskeeda). However, that record is misleading in the current context; MI’s squad is nowhere near the quality of those earlier Mumbai teams.
Last 5 Matches:
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2026 | April 23, 2026 | CSK | 103 runs | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| IPL 2025 | April 20, 2025 | MI | 9 wickets | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| IPL 2025 | March 23, 2025 | CSK | 4 wickets | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| IPL 2024 | April 14, 2024 | CSK | 20 runs | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| IPL 2023 | May 04, 2023 | CSK | 6 wickets | Chepauk / Neutral venue |
Rivalry Highlights Worth Knowing
- Rohit Sharma leads all run-scorers in this fixture with 913 runs in 31 innings (source: Sportskeeda).
- The two franchises have met in four IPL finals: 2010 (CSK won), 2013, 2015, and 2019 (MI won all three). The 2019 final, decided by 1 run on the final ball, remains one of the greatest IPL moments ever.
- MI’s highest score against CSK is 219. CSK’s lowest against MI is 79. But CSK also pulled off the biggest successful chase in this rivalry, hunting down 208 (source: Sportskeeda).
Our Prediction: CSK Has Better Chances to Win Against MI in IPL 2026 Match 44
Bottom line up front: CSK win, chasing a target in the 165-180 range.
Why CSK Should Win This
Home advantage is not just a stat at Chepauk, it is a weapon. CSK have won 68 of 98 IPL matches at this ground (source: Business Standard). The crowd, the conditions, and the surface are all wired in their favour.
Sanju Samson is in elite form. Two centuries this season, including one against MI just nine days ago. He knows what MI’s bowlers are trying, and he punished them brutally at the Wankhede. At Chepauk, where the ball comes slower onto the bat, his ability to manipulate pace will be even more dangerous.
CSK’s spin attack is tailor-made for Chepauk. Noor Ahmad (left-arm wrist-spin) and Akeal Hosein (left-arm orthodox) have combined for consistent middle-over control. Hosein took 4 wickets in the last meeting against MI (source: IPLT20.com). MI’s batters historically struggle against quality spin on turning tracks.
Anshul Kamboj gives CSK a genuine death-overs enforcer with his wide yorkers. He has been among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers all season.
Can MI Pull Off an Upset?
Never write off a side with Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav. Bumrah can restrict any batting lineup in the powerplay, and SKY’s 396 runs at a strike rate of 162 this season prove he can win matches on his own.
If Rohit Sharma returns to the XI, it adds experience and composure to a fragile top order. MI also has Mitchell Santner and AM Ghazanfar, both of whom are capable of exploiting Chepauk’s spin-friendly conditions.
But let us be real. MI’s batting has been painfully inconsistent all season. Their 103-run loss to CSK in Match 33, where they were bowled out for 104, exposed fundamental issues in their approach against quality spin. Unless something dramatically changes in nine days, those problems will follow them to Chennai.
Final Verdict
CSK win this one at home. The combination of Chepauk’s spin-friendly surface, Samson’s form, and MI’s shaky batting makes it hard to back the visitors. If CSK bat second (likely if they win the toss), expect them to chase down anything under 180 with relative comfort.
Predicted margin: CSK by 5-6 wickets.
This prediction is based on publicly available squad data, injury reports, venue stats, and historical records as of April 29, 2026. Official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
