MI coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo Source: @mipaltan on X)

The two most successful Indian Premier League (IPL) teams will take each other on in their first match of the 2025 edition, as the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) launch their campaign in hope of adding a sixth crown.
Both MI and CSK have won the IPL trophy five times each and will look to make an early impression in the new season when they meet at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
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MI’s head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, believes the rich legacy of the two teams adds a bit more adrenaline to the occasion when they face off.
“It’s a challenge for both the teams. I have always enjoyed the battle (with CSK), looking forward to it. There is a little more adrenaline for the team as well,” said Jayawardene, as he and MI capain Hardik Pandya answered questions from the media on Wednesday at an official press conference.
MI, who finished last in a forgettable 2024 season, would want to make amends and start with a win and change a trend they haven’t been able to overturn for many years.
“I was reminded by someone that we haven’t won our first match since 2012,” said the MI coach. “We are looking forward to changing that (stat).
“We pride (ourselves) on our core group and that’s brought us success for many years…We have seven guys in our main squad who have won IPL trophies with different franchises.”
Hardik, who took over from Rohit Sharma as MI captain before the start of 2024 season, said “there is no rocket science to turning things around”.
“(We can do it) by playing good cricket, being with each other, doing our processes right…go and execute (plans) to your best ability and at the same time just enjoy the kind of ability this group has; it’s important that we enjoy,” said Hardik.
“If you ask me about my confidence, it’s always gonna be high.”