Today IPL Match Dream 11 Team | MI vs CSK Prediction 2026

Let me be straight with you — I am backing MI to win this one tonight at Wankhede. The reason is simple: confidence. MI just smashed Gujarat Titans by 99 runs. Tilak Varma scored a century. Ashwani Kumar took 4 wickets in his first match of the season. Bumrah got his first wicket. The energy in that dressing room right now is completely different from where they were four matches ago. And that confidence matters on a flat Wankhede pitch where the team batting first sets the tone.

CSK come in without Ayush Mhatre — hamstring injury has ruled him out of the season. That is a massive loss because Mhatre was their most explosive young starter. Khaleel Ahmed is also injured. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has managed just 82 runs in 6 innings at an average of 13.67 — one of the worst returns for a captain in this IPL season. And they just lost to SRH by 10 runs in a match they nearly won before late wickets collapsed their chase.

Now here is the big subplot everyone is talking about: MS Dhoni. He trained at Wankhede on Tuesday evening. He is recovering from a calf strain and has not played a single IPL 2026 game yet. If Dhoni comes in as Impact Substitute and bats at 5 or 6, everything changes — not because he will score 60 runs, but because he is a mastermind behind the stumps and a legend who can finish from any situation. His presence alone changes the pressure dynamics of every over he is there for. But even with Dhoni, we build our today IPL match dream 11 team best on stats, matchups, and pitch data — not sentiment.

This blog gives you everything — current form, MI and CSK batting and bowling scorecards, H2H record, bowler vs batter matchup data, dew and pitch impact, GL/SL/Differential teams, and the wild card picks that could flip this match. Let us get into it.

This IPL Dream 11 team today match analysis covers every matchup you need before 7 PM tonight.

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Match Overview

Parameter	Info
Match	IPL 2026, Match 33
Teams	Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings
Date	Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time	7:30 PM IST
Venue	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
MI Captain	Hardik Pandya
CSK Captain	Ruturaj Gaikwad
Broadcast	Star Sports, JioHotstar

Points Table

Team	M	W	L	Points	NRR
MI	6	2	4	4	-0.912
CSK	6	2	4	4	-0.740

Both teams equal on points, both in the bottom half. One team wins tonight, keeps playoff hopes alive, and builds momentum. The other goes to 4 points from 7 games and faces a serious uphill task.

KKR vs RR Pitch Report IPL 2026 — Complete Analysis

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Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report

Today IPL match Dream 11 prediction must account for the dew factor at Wankhede after over 12.

Wankhede is a batter’s dream. The red-soil surface offers true bounce, short square boundaries (65-68 metres), a lightning-fast outfield, and a flat track that lets batters play their shots freely from ball one.

The average first innings score at Wankhede across IPL history is 172. But in recent seasons, it has climbed to 190-220 range — that is how the ground has changed. Scores above 200 are now expected, not exceptional.

For bowlers, pacers get early swing and nip in the first 3-4 overs with the new ball under lights. After that, the pitch flattens completely. Spinners need smart variations in the middle overs as the ball skids through the surface.

The dew factor at Wankhede is significant. In evening matches, dew sets in from around the 12th over onwards. By the 16th over, the ball is noticeably wet. Chasing teams have won 70 of 120 T20 matches at this ground — a 58.3% win rate. Both captains will want to bowl first tonight.

Building the best today IPL match dream 11 team starts with understanding the Wankhede pitch.

Pitch Factor	Detail
Surface	Red soil, flat and true
Square Boundary	65-68 metres
Straight Boundary	73-76 metres
Average 1st Innings	172 (historical), 190-210 (recent)
Par Score to Defend	200+ with dew
Chasing Win Rate	58.3% (70 of 120 T20 matches)
Pacers	Effective overs 1-4 with new ball
Spinners	Middle overs variations only
Dew Sets In	From over 12-13 onwards
Toss Decision	Bowl first expected

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Probable Playing XI

MI: Rohit Sharma (if fit), Quinton de Kock (wk), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Krish Bhagat / Ashwani Kumar, Allah Ghazanfar, Jasprit Bumrah

Impact Sub options: Will Jacks, Ashwani Kumar, Corbin Bosch, Raj Bawa, Mayank Rawat

Note: Rohit Sharma skipped Tuesday’s optional training session — his availability is uncertain. If he plays, de Kock drops to No. 4 and Naman Dhir comes up. If Rohit is absent, de Kock opens with Danish Malewar or Will Jacks debuts.

CSK: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Matthew Short, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh

Impact Sub options: MS Dhoni (if fit), Matt Henry, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Chahar, Spencer Johnson

Key absences: Ayush Mhatre — out for the season (hamstring tear). Khaleel Ahmed — injured. MS Dhoni — calf strain, training at Wankhede Wednesday evening, possible Impact Sub.

CSK vs KKR Dream11 Prediction 2026 | Best Team, C&VC Picks, Why Each Player

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MI IPL 2026 Batting — Match by Match

#	Player	Role	M2 KKR	M8 DC	M13 RR	M20 RCB	M24 PBKS	M30 GT	IPL 2026 Runs	SR
1	Rohit Sharma	RHB	78	—	35	—	—	—	137	148.9
2	Quinton de Kock	RHB+WK	9	22	—	31	112*	9	183	152.5
3	Naman Dhir	RHB	12	—	15	31	18	45	154	152.5
4	Suryakumar Yadav	RHB	45	51	8	18	12	4	121	134.4
5	Hardik Pandya	RHB	0	0	—	24	13	5	42	112.2
6	Tilak Varma	LHB	1	12	18	14	14	101*	144	187.0
7	Sherfane Rutherford	LHB	5	18	22	8	31	1	85	141.7

MI: 6 matches — Won 2, Lost 4. Snapped 4-match losing streak with 99-run demolition of GT.

Key observations:

For your today ipl match dream 11 team best selection, Tilak Varma is the first name on the teamsheet

• Tilak Varma was MI’s tournament saviour last match — 101* off 45 balls, first IPL century, equalled franchise record for fastest hundred. But notice his scores before that: 1, 12, 18, 14, 14. The century may have unlocked him mentally
• SKY has managed just 121 runs in 6 matches at a poor 134.4 SR — well below his standard. Has not crossed 51 in any single innings
• Naman Dhir is the tournament’s quiet achiever — 154 runs, consistent across formats, bats wherever required
• Hardik Pandya’s batting has been disappointing — 42 runs total, 0, 0 in his first two matches, no death-over impact
• de Kock scored 112* against PBKS — his only big knock. Otherwise inconsistent

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CSK IPL 2026 Batting — Match by Match

#	Player	Role	M3 RR	M7 PBKS	M11 RCB	M18 DC	M22 KKR	M27 SRH	IPL 2026 Runs	SR
1	Sanju Samson	RHB+WK	7	9	15	115*	18	38	202	175.7
2	Ruturaj Gaikwad	RHB	6	28	7	15	8	18	82	112.3
3	Sarfaraz Khan	RHB	22	14	31	9	28	25	129	138.7
4	Shivam Dube	LHB	18	45*	44	8	9	12	136	148.4
5	Dewald Brevis	RHB	4	31	14	28	22	0	99	149.2
6	Matthew Short	RHB	—	—	—	12	18	19	49	130.3
7	Jamie Overton	RHB	—	—	—	14	9	22	45	122.5

CSK: 6 matches — Won 2, Lost 4. Lost to SRH by 10 runs in last match. Mhatre out for season.

Key observations:

• Samson is CSK’s tournament — 202 runs including a 115* against DC which is the innings of the season for CSK. When he fires, CSK are dangerous. When he fails, no one else picks it up
• Gaikwad’s form is a crisis — 82 runs in 6 matches at 112.3 SR. An opener scoring at sub-120 strike rate defeats the purpose. CSK have no answer to this problem currently
• Dube has been CSK’s most consistent performer — 45* vs PBKS, 44 vs RCB. He provides the middle-over stability CSK need
• Brevis has potential — 31 vs PBKS shows he can play — but inconsistent. 0 vs SRH in last match

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MI IPL 2026 Bowling Form

Bowler	Type	M2	M8	M13	M20	M24	M30	IPL 2026 Wkts	Economy
Allah Ghazanfar	Off-spin	1	2	0	2	2	2	9	9.1
Jasprit Bumrah	RAF	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	7.8
Ashwani Kumar	RAF	—	—	—	—	—	4	4	6.0
Hardik Pandya	RAM	1	0	0	1	0	1	3	9.8
Mitchell Santner	LA-spin	0	1	0	1	1	2	5	8.4
Krish Bhagat	RAF	—	—	—	—	—	0	0	9.0

Key observation: Bumrah’s wicket drought — 5 matches, zero wickets — finally broke with Sai Sudharsan’s dismissal in the GT match. Ashwani Kumar with 4/24 in one appearance is the best bowling story of MI’s season. Ghazanfar’s 9 wickets lead MI’s charts.

The today match ipl dream 11 team that includes Bumrah will always have a bowling edge in this fixture.

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CSK IPL 2026 Bowling Form

Bowler	Type	M3	M7	M11	M18	M22	M27	IPL 2026 Wkts	Economy
Noor Ahmad	LA-wrist spin	1	2	0	1	2	1	7	8.4
Anshul Kamboj	RAF	2	1	0	3	1	0	7	9.8
Jamie Overton	RAF	1	0	0	4	2	0	7	8.1
Gurjapneet Singh	RAF	0	0	0	1	1	2	4	10.2
Mukesh Choudhary	RAM	—	—	—	—	—	2	2	8.9
Matthew Short	Off-spin	—	—	—	0	1	1	2	8.8

Key observation: Overton’s 4/18 against DC is CSK’s best bowling performance this season. Noor Ahmad, Kamboj, and Overton form CSK’s best bowling triple. Khaleel Ahmed is injured — CSK’s new ball attack is weakened.

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MI vs CSK Head to Head Record

Stat	Value
Total IPL Matches	39
MI Wins	21
CSK Wins	18
MI Win %	53.8%
CSK Win %	46.2%
IPL Finals Played	4 (MI won 3 — 2013, 2015, 2019. CSK won 1 — 2010)
At Wankhede (MI home)	MI 7 — CSK 5
Last Match	MI beat CSK by 9 wickets (IPL 2025, Wankhede)
Most Runs (active)	SKY leads MI; Samson leads CSK this season
Most Wickets (active)	Bumrah — 18 wickets vs CSK all-time

CSK won four consecutive matches against MI from 2023 to early 2025. MI then broke the streak with a dominant 9-wicket win in April 2025. Tonight, MI defend their home turf with fresh momentum.

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MI Batters vs CSK Bowlers — Direct Matchup Data

Rohit Sharma vs CSK Bowlers (If He Plays)

CSK Bowler	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Edge
Noor Ahmad	22	28	2W	Noor — 2 dismissals, SR 127
Anshul Kamboj	14	22	0W	Rohit — handles pace
Jamie Overton	8	12	1W	Overton — dismissed once
Shivam Dube (part-time)	6	14	0W	Rohit comfortable

Analysis: Noor Ahmad has dismissed Rohit twice — left-arm wrist spin with natural angle into his body. The flipper and googly variation has worked against Rohit’s front-foot driving technique. Noor vs Rohit is the defining powerplay/middle-over battle if Rohit plays tonight.

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Suryakumar Yadav vs CSK Bowlers

CSK Bowler	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Edge
Noor Ahmad	18	24	2W	Noor — 2 dismissals
Jamie Overton	14	28	0W	SKY — comfortable at 200 SR
Anshul Kamboj	12	18	1W	Kamboj — dismissed once
Matthew Short	8	16	0W	SKY — handles off-spin

Analysis: Noor Ahmad has dismissed SKY twice in their head-to-head. SKY’s 360-degree game is generally hard to contain, but the googly from around the wicket has been Noor’s weapon. SKY is in poor form this season (121 runs, 134.4 SR). Noor vs SKY is the highest-impact middle-over battle tonight — if Noor gets SKY early, MI lose their most dangerous batter.

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Tilak Varma vs CSK Bowlers

CSK Bowler	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Edge
Noor Ahmad	14	22	1W	Competitive
Jamie Overton	10	18	0W	Tilak — handles pace
Anshul Kamboj	8	14	0W	Tilak — comfortable
Shivam Dube (part-time)	4	10	0W	Tilak — positive SR

Analysis: Tilak is in career-best form right now — 101* last game. His confidence is at its highest. Noor has dismissed him once but Tilak handles left-arm wrist spin better than most left-handers because his footwork allows him to get to the pitch. Tilak after a century is the most dangerous batting force in this match. He is the #1 batting pick tonight.

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Naman Dhir vs CSK Bowlers

CSK Bowler	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Edge
Jamie Overton	12	18	1W	Overton — dismissed once
Noor Ahmad	10	16	0W	Dhir — handles spin
Anshul Kamboj	8	12	0W	Even
Gurjapneet Singh	6	14	0W	Dhir — comfortable

Analysis: Dhir is MI’s most consistent scorer this season with 154 runs. His ability to bat anywhere in the order and rotate strike makes him a quiet accumulator who also hits big when the field is up. Overton dismissed him once but Dhir’s comfort at Wankhede — his home conditions — is a positive. Reliable pick for today IPL match dream 11 team best.

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CSK Batters vs MI Bowlers — Direct Matchup Data

Sanju Samson vs MI Bowlers

MI Bowler	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Edge
Jasprit Bumrah	28	32	3W	Bumrah — 3 dismissals
Ashwani Kumar	6	10	0W	Limited data
Allah Ghazanfar	12	18	1W	Ghazanfar — dismissed once
Mitchell Santner	14	22	0W	Samson — comfortable vs LA spin

Analysis: Bumrah has dismissed Samson three times in their career head-to-head — including in previous IPL seasons. This is the defining battle of the match. Samson is CSK’s entire batting unit right now — if Bumrah removes him early, CSK have no answer. Samson in full flow at Wankhede on a flat pitch can score a century. Bumrah vs Samson is the #1 matchup of this game.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad vs MI Bowlers

MI Bowler	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Edge
Jasprit Bumrah	22	18	2W	Bumrah — 2 dismissals, SR 81
Ashwani Kumar	8	12	0W	Even
Allah Ghazanfar	10	14	1W	Ghazanfar — dismissed once
Hardik Pandya	8	8	1W	Pandya — dismissed once

Analysis: Gaikwad is already in terrible form this season (82 runs at 112.3 SR in 6 matches). Bumrah has dismissed him twice in their H2H at just 81 strike rate. The combination of Gaikwad’s poor form PLUS Bumrah’s specific record against him makes this the match’s most one-sided individual battle. If Bumrah bowls over 1 at Gaikwad, a wicket is more likely than not.

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Shivam Dube vs MI Bowlers

MI Bowler	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Edge
Jasprit Bumrah	18	22	1W	Competitive
Allah Ghazanfar	14	20	2W	Ghazanfar — 2 dismissals
Mitchell Santner	12	18	1W	Santner — dismissed once
Ashwani Kumar	6	12	0W	Even

Analysis: Dube is CSK’s best performer this season (136 runs, 148 SR). He is a left-hander who likes to hit over the off side. Ghazanfar’s off-spin, bowled with pace and drift, has dismissed him twice — the ball going away from Dube’s natural hitting arc. Ghazanfar vs Dube is a critical middle-over matchup. If Ghazanfar gets Dube, CSK’s batting depth becomes very shallow.

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Dewald Brevis vs MI Bowlers

MI Bowler	Balls	Runs	Wickets	Edge
Jasprit Bumrah	10	8	2W	Bumrah — 2 dismissals
Allah Ghazanfar	8	14	1W	Ghazanfar — dismissed once
Ashwani Kumar	6	14	0W	Brevis — handles pace
Mitchell Santner	6	10	0W	Even

Analysis: Bumrah has dismissed Brevis twice. Brevis’ aggressive approach means he takes risks early — exactly what Bumrah exploits with his yorkers and slower balls. Brevis scored 0 against SRH last match after getting caught attempting a big hit. If he plays in today’s match, he is a high-risk pick.

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MS Dhoni — The Wild Card That Changes Everything

Dhoni has not played a single IPL 2026 match. He has been recovering from a calf strain. On Wednesday, he trained at Wankhede Stadium — his old hunting ground from his early IPL days. Reports suggest he could feature as an Impact Substitute tonight.

If Dhoni comes in at No. 5 or 6 for CSK:

• CSK’s death batting immediately becomes a legitimate threat
• He knows Wankhede better than almost any other venue — his finishing record here is extraordinary
• His wicketkeeping and field-setting genius behind the stumps gives CSK tactical edge in the second innings
• Even 25-30 runs off 10 balls from Dhoni in a chase situation is worth 40-50 from anyone else because of the pressure he places on MI’s death bowlers

But also consider: he has had zero match practice this season. Facing Bumrah at his sharpest with no rhythm is a completely different challenge. Dhoni’s calf means he will not run hard between the wickets. He is a pure finisher — if CSK are not in a position to finish by the time he comes in, his value is limited.

Fantasy implication: Do not pick Dhoni in SL. In GL as a differential — if he plays and CSK chase, he could produce 20-30 fantasy points from minimal balls. Low ceiling in 1st innings, potential high floor in 2nd innings chase. Pick only if confirmed in playing XI before 7 PM.

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Key Individual Battles Summary

Battle	Batter	Bowler	Edge	Impact Level
1	Sanju Samson	Jasprit Bumrah	Bumrah — 3 H2H dismissals	CRITICAL
2	Ruturaj Gaikwad	Jasprit Bumrah	Bumrah — 2 dismissals, SR 81	HIGH
3	Suryakumar Yadav	Noor Ahmad	Noor — 2 dismissals	HIGH
4	Rohit Sharma	Noor Ahmad	Noor — 2 dismissals	HIGH (if Rohit plays)
5	Shivam Dube	Allah Ghazanfar	Ghazanfar — 2 dismissals	HIGH
6	Tilak Varma	Noor Ahmad	Competitive — Tilak in form	MEDIUM
7	Dewald Brevis	Jasprit Bumrah	Bumrah — 2 dismissals	MEDIUM
8	Naman Dhir	Jamie Overton	Competitive	MEDIUM

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Player-by-Player Analysis — Why Each Player Belongs in Your Today IPL Match Dream 11 Team Best

Tilak Varma (MI) is the #1 pick of this entire match. He has just scored 101 not out off 45 balls in the last game. A batter who scores a century does not suddenly forget how to bat — that form carries over. At Wankhede which is his home ground, on a flat batting pitch where he faces the middle overs against CSK’s bowling without Khaleel Ahmed, Tilak is in the best possible position to deliver a second successive big innings. His ability to play both spin and pace with equal comfort is exactly what Wankhede demands. Must-pick in every format as captain or vice-captain.

Sanju Samson (CSK) is the safest batting pick from CSK’s side. 202 IPL 2026 runs including a 115* — he is essentially carrying CSK’s batting alone. His WK bonus adds extra fantasy points. The concern is Bumrah — who has dismissed him 3 times in their career. But Samson in peak form at a flat Wankhede pitch is a genuine century threat. The risk-reward balance makes him a must-pick despite the Bumrah concern.

Jasprit Bumrah (MI) is the safest bowling pick in the match. He has 18 career wickets against CSK — the most by any bowler in this rivalry. He has dismissed Samson 3 times, Gaikwad twice, and Brevis twice. After finally opening his wicket account last game, Bumrah will be in full rhythm tonight. CSK’s batting is fragile without Mhatre. Bumrah in the powerplay against Gaikwad, then middle overs against Samson, then death against Dube — he has specific advantages at every stage. Non-negotiable pick.

Noor Ahmad (CSK) is the most valuable bowling pick from CSK’s side. He has dismissed both Rohit and SKY twice in their head-to-head encounters. Wankhede’s middle overs — where the pitch plays flat but the dew is starting to develop — is where wrist spinners with good pace can still trouble batters who expect turn. Noor’s left-arm angle, combined with his flipper and googly, creates problems for MI’s predominantly right-handed middle order. 7 wickets in IPL 2026, and the specific matchup advantages make him a premium pick.

Naman Dhir (MI) has been MI’s most consistent run-scorer this season with 154 runs. He bats wherever the team needs — opener, No. 3, No. 4 — and delivers. His 45 against GT in the last game, while Tilak was going bonkers at the other end, showed his ability to build partnerships and rotate strike on any kind of surface. At Wankhede on a flat pitch, Dhir is a reliable 30-40 fantasy points contributor every match.

Shivam Dube (CSK) is CSK’s best batting pick after Samson. 136 IPL 2026 runs at 148 SR, including two 40-plus scores. He plays in the middle overs at a flat Wankhede pitch, which suits his driving and hitting over the off side. The risk is Ghazanfar — who has dismissed him twice. But Dube’s consistency this season makes him a trustworthy pick despite that concern.

Allah Ghazanfar (MI) leads MI’s wicket charts this season with 9 wickets. His off-spin, bowled with pace and surprising flight, has generated top-order wickets. Against CSK’s batting lineup, he has specific advantages — Dube and Gaikwad are both vulnerable to his variations. He operates in the 8-15 over window at Wankhede where the ball skids through and his pace creates awkward heights.

Jamie Overton (CSK) has been CSK’s most impactful bowler this season — 7 wickets with a 4/18 best against DC. He took 4 wickets in that one match alone. At Wankhede, his hard-length bowling generates bounce and carry from the pitch. MI’s batting is vulnerable early — losing de Kock, Rohit, or SKY cheaply in the powerplay is MI’s pattern. Overton’s ability to hit the pitch hard and extract bounce makes him the most dangerous CSK bowler tonight. Good pick for GL.

Anshul Kamboj (CSK) — 7 wickets, consistent across matches. He is CSK’s new-ball option in Khaleel’s absence. Wankhede does offer early swing and nip for right-arm medium pace, and Kamboj’s ability to hit the right lengths made him effective in the DC win. He is a budget-friendly bowling pick who can deliver 1-2 wickets and does not cost fantasy points through expensive overs.

Mitchell Santner (MI) — 5 wickets in IPL 2026, economical at 8.4. At Wankhede in the middle overs, his left-arm orthodox spin with flat trajectory can tie down CSK’s batters during the 10-15 over phase. He also dismissed Sarfaraz Khan twice last season. Not a high-ceiling pick, but a useful anchor in fantasy teams that need bowling depth.

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Players to Avoid

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been one of the worst-performing captains of the season — 82 runs at 112.3 SR from 6 matches. He is an opener against Bumrah at Wankhede, who has dismissed him twice in head-to-head. Current form combined with specific matchup disadvantage makes him the highest flop-risk batter in this match. Avoid in every format.

Hardik Pandya has been a major disappointment with the bat — 42 runs in 6 matches at 112.2 SR. 0, 0 in his first two matches. Even in the GT win, he scored just 5. His bowling has 3 wickets but he is not bowling economically either. At this credit cost, there are far better options available.

Suryakumar Yadav is currently not in the form that justifies picking him as a captain or high-priority player. 121 runs at 134.4 SR is well below his standard. Noor has dismissed him twice. He could explode on any given day — his talent is unquestionable — but his current form does not justify picking him over Tilak or Dhir for today IPL match dream 11 team best.

Dewald Brevis — 0 runs against SRH in the last match, scored just 99 runs across 6 matches with high variability. Bumrah has dismissed him twice. Do not pick in SL. GL differential only.

Gurjapneet Singh — economy of 10.2, limited wickets, and no clear matchup advantage against MI’s batting. Avoid.

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Today IPL Match Dream 11 Team Best — Small League (SL) Team

Wicketkeeper: Sanju Samson (CSK)

Batters: Tilak Varma (MI), Naman Dhir (MI), Shivam Dube (CSK), Suryakumar Yadav (MI)

All-rounders: Jamie Overton (CSK), Mitchell Santner (MI)

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (MI), Allah Ghazanfar (MI), Noor Ahmad (CSK), Anshul Kamboj (CSK)

Captain: Tilak Varma | Vice-Captain: Sanju Samson

Why this SL team works: Tilak captain is backed by century form, home ground, and the fact that CSK are bowling without Khaleel. Samson VC combines WK bonus with CSK’s only reliable batting anchor. Bumrah covers CSK’s entire batting threat — Samson, Gaikwad, Brevis all vulnerable to him. Ghazanfar and Noor cover the spin wickets. Overton as the bowling all-rounder gives dual points contribution.

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Today Match IPL Dream 11 Team — Grand League (GL) Team

The GL version of today IPL match dream 11 team best uses Noor Ahmad as captain for maximum rank jump potential.

Wicketkeeper: Sanju Samson (CSK)

Batters: Tilak Varma (MI), Naman Dhir (MI), Shivam Dube (CSK), Dewald Brevis (CSK)

All-rounders: Jamie Overton (CSK), Allah Ghazanfar (MI)

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (MI), Noor Ahmad (CSK), Anshul Kamboj (CSK), Ashwani Kumar (MI)

Captain: Noor Ahmad | Vice-Captain: Tilak Varma

Why this GL team works: Noor Ahmad as captain is the highest-ceiling differential — he has dismissed both Rohit and SKY twice each, and if he picks up 3-4 wickets at Wankhede in the middle overs, he wins GL contests. His captain ownership will be low because most teams will captain Tilak or Bumrah. Tilak VC is backed by century form. Ashwani Kumar instead of Santner is the bowling differential — his 4/24 from the GT game shows his return form. Brevis as a batting differential at low ownership — he could explode or fail completely, which is what GL needs.

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Ipl Today Match Dream 11 Team — Differential Team

Wicketkeeper: Sanju Samson (CSK)

Batters: Tilak Varma (MI), Sarfaraz Khan (CSK), Shivam Dube (CSK), Sherfane Rutherford (MI)

All-rounders: Jamie Overton (CSK), Anshul Kamboj (CSK)

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (MI), Noor Ahmad (CSK), Allah Ghazanfar (MI), Ashwani Kumar (MI)

Captain: Jasprit Bumrah | Vice-Captain: Jamie Overton

Why this differential team works: Bumrah captain is the most contrarian call — almost no one will captain a bowler in a Wankhede match where batters dominate. But Bumrah has 18 career wickets against CSK, dismissed Samson 3 times and Gaikwad twice, and is now back in rhythm after his GT wicket. 3-4 wickets tonight as captain = GL rank jump. Overton as VC is backed by 4/18 best figures this season. Sarfaraz Khan and Rutherford are ultra-low-ownership batting picks who could each contribute 25-35 in the right circumstances.

Your today ipl match best dream 11 team should have at least 4 MI players given home advantage and current form.

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Captain-VC Options Summary

Option	Captain	VC	Best For	Key Reason
Safe	Tilak Varma	Sanju Samson	Small League	Century form + WK bonus
Bowling Differential	Noor Ahmad	Tilak Varma	Grand League	2 Rohit + 2 SKY dismissals, low ownership
Pure Contrarian	Jasprit Bumrah	Jamie Overton	Differential	18 CSK wickets, bowling pick as captain
Batting Heavy	Tilak Varma	Naman Dhir	SL after toss	If MI bat first, max balls for both
CSK-heavy	Sanju Samson	Shivam Dube	CSK upset bet	If CSK chase with dew advantage

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The Wild Card Section — Players Who Could Flip This Match

Every IPL match has players who have been invisible all season but pick that one game to explode. Here are the names to watch tonight.

Sarfaraz Khan (CSK): 129 runs in 6 matches at a decent 138.7 SR — steady but not spectacular. He bats at No. 3 and is technically competent against pace and spin both. If Samson goes early and CSK need someone to anchor, Sarfaraz playing a quiet 40 could be the difference. He is almost never picked in fantasy teams — his ownership across platforms will be under 5%. If he scores 45-50 tonight, every team without him loses significant ground.

Sherfane Rutherford (MI): 85 runs in 6 matches, batting in the middle and lower order for MI. He is a West Indian power hitter who has not found his best form yet this season. At Wankhede’s flat pitch in the death overs, a 25-ball 45 from Rutherford is entirely possible. He has done it before for MI in the Caribbean and in T20 leagues. Nobody will pick him. If he fires, the impact is enormous in GL.

Matthew Short (CSK): 49 runs in 3 matches, playing as the second spinner for CSK. Against MI’s right-handed middle order — Dhir, Pandya, Rutherford — Short’s off-spin could be useful in overs 10-14 at Wankhede. He has not been outstanding but he has a role, and in a tight match, two overs of 7-economy bowling and a wicket of SKY would be a major contribution.

Krish Bhagat / Ashwani Kumar (MI): Ashwani Kumar took 4 wickets last game in his first appearance of the season. If he plays, he is a direct differential pick. Krish Bhagat debuted last match and bowled without conceding wickets but showed control. These two young bowlers are the unknown quantities — entirely unpredictable but with demonstrated potential in the one game they got.

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Match Prediction

IPL today match Dream 11 team prediction — MI win probability is 62% based on H2H, pitch, and current form.

MI’s bowling attack with Bumrah back in rhythm, Ghazanfar leading wickets, and Ashwani Kumar’s recent 4-fer is well-equipped for Wankhede’s conditions. CSK’s batting without Mhatre and without a reliable opener in Gaikwad is fragile. If Bumrah removes Samson and Gaikwad early, CSK have no Plan B.

CSK’s only path to victory runs through Samson playing a match-defining innings, Noor Ahmad taking 3-4 wickets against MI’s top order, and potentially Dhoni coming in as Impact Sub to finish a chase. All of those things happening together is possible — but unlikely.

Predicted Winner: MI — home advantage, superior momentum, Bumrah’s specific records against CSK’s key batters, and MI batting depth with Tilak in century form.

Predicted Score: MI 195-210 if they bat first. CSK 170-185 in response.

Lock your today IPL match dream 11 team before the toss at 7 PM IST on April 23.

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FAQ

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