CSK vs MI: El Clasico of the Indian Premier League
Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are considered to be the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League. Of the fourteen concluded editions, the two teams have combined nine titles. The two sides are known as 'El Clasico' for their rivalry in the league.
Pic : Decade old rivals MI and CSKThe title is possible because the two of them have locked their horns against each other the most number of times (four) in the finals. Not only in the Indian Premier League but also in the now-defunct Champions League T20 (CLT20), both teams have won it twice.
Why is it known as El Clasico?
El Clasico is a Spanish word used to refer to games between Spanish Football Clubs FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF. Both of these teams are huge rivals and the most successful clubs in football history. On similar grounds, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are the two most successful and favorites in the tournament of IPL. Thus, it is known as "El Clasico of the IPL ". Mumbai Indians have won five IPL titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 whereas Chennai Super Kings have won four in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021.
"Everyone knows Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are the most successful teams. From the outside, it is probably the El Clasico of the IPL. Both teams are going to come hard, and it will be a good contest," said Mumbai Indians' pacer Jaydev Unadkat
The two champions have clashed 34 times in IPL history, with Mumbai Indians edging Chennai Super Kings with 20 wins since the tournament's inception. Both teams are sitting at the bottom of the table. Mumbai Indians have suffered six consecutive losses. The only way to make their chances till playoffs is by winning all the eight remaining matches. If they lose today's match against CSK, this implies that the Mumbai Indians would be out of the race for playoffs. CSK needs seven wins in the eight remaining matches to be in the contest for playoffs.
As a matter of fact, Chennai Super Kings won their first Indian Premier League title in 2010 by defeating Mumbai Indians at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy only. Not a match of finals at the stadium but definitely a do-or-die kind of day for Mumbai Indians. Thus, tonight's match will be the much-awaited rival clash between the two teams at the same stadium from where it all began.