'On paper, Mumbai are Stronger': Kaif backs MI over CSK Ahead of IPL clash

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes Mumbai Indians hold the edge over Chennai Super Kings ahead of their high-profile IPL 2026 clash, citing the depth and experience in Mumbai’s squad.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) host Mumbai Indians (MI) tonight, May 2, 2026, at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in a high-stakes "El Clásico" that could determine playoff survival for both struggling five-time champions. Both teams are languishing in the bottom half of the table, CSK sits at No. 6 with 6 points, while MI is 9th with just 4 points from eight games.

In their previous meeting this season, Chennai Super Kings dominated their arch-rivals with a massive 103-run victory. Sanju Samson starred with an unbeaten 101, guiding CSK to a formidable total of 208. The bowlers then took charge, with Akeal Hosein leading the charge with figures of 4/17 as Mumbai Indians were bundled out for just 104.

He received solid support from Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj and Gurjapneet Singh, who all chipped in with wickets to seal a comprehensive win.

Speaking on Star Sports ahead of the much-anticipated ‘El Clasico’ clash, Kaif said that while Mumbai Indians look stronger on paper, their inconsistent form remains a concern.

“On paper, Mumbai Indians look stronger than Chennai Super Kings because they have a lot of match-winners and experienced players. But when you look at recent form, questions arise because MI haven’t been winning consistently. That said, on their day, if they play a dominant brand of cricket, they can be very hard to stop,” Kaif said.

Kaif also pointed out that CSK’s heavy reliance on Samson could prove to be a weakness in a high-pressure contest.

“Chennai, on the other hand, have largely depended on Sanju Samson so far. They are relying heavily on his performances to win games. That’s why Mumbai head into this crucial match with the upper hand,” he added.