The battle between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is one of the most thrilling rivalries in IPL history. With the two titans set to face each other in Match 38 of IPL 2025, fans can look forward to fireworks on the pitch. Though the teams are full of match-winners, a few individual duels may be the difference-maker. Let's have a look at the top four player battles to watch out for in this high-stakes match. Top 4 Key Player Battles to Watch in MI vs CSK Sno Players 1 Rohit Sharma vs Khaleel Ahmed 2 Suryakumar Yadav vs Noor Ahmad 3 Deepak Chahar vs Rachin Ravindra 4 Jasprit Bumrah vs Shivam Dube Rohit Sharma vs Khaleel Ahmed Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2019 12 7 1 4 3 0 171.4 12.0 2021 7 10 0 6 1 0 70.0 - 2022 6 17 0 14 1 0 35.3 - 2024 3 5 1 2 0 0 60.0 3.0 2025 0 4 1 4 0 0 0.0 0.0 Total 28 43 3 30 5 0 65.1 9.3 Former MI skipper Rohit Sharma has not had a good time against CSK bowler Khaleel Ahmed in recent years. In the recent five encounters, Khaleel has gotten Rohit out three times. Worse for Mumbai supporters is Rohit's strike rate and average against Khaleel. In all the IPL seasons between 2019 and 2025 combined, Rohit has managed only 28 runs off 43 deliveries against Khaleel. He has been trying to find the edge, scoring just five fours and no sixes. His average is less than 10 and his strike rate around 65. Khaleel has kept him under wraps using tight lines and clever variations. Rohit will have to think of a way to switch around this time, or CSK could once again gain the early upper hand. Also Read | Forget Yuzi Chahal, RCB Must Brace for Harpreet Brar’s Spin Web in Mullanpur! Suryakumar Yadav vs Noor Ahmad Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2023 24 24 1 8 2 0 100.0 24.0 2025 5 6 1 3 0 0 83.3 5.0 Total 29 30 2 11 2 0 96.7 14.5 This is going to be a fascinating battle in the middle overs. Suryakumar Yadav, who is known for his fearless batting and 360-degree hitting, has yet to crack Noor Ahmad's code among CSK's youthful spinners. In the two years that they have faced each other—2023 and 2025—Noor has dismissed him twice. In both seasons combined, Suryakumar has managed just 29 runs from 30 balls against the Afghan left-arm wrist spinner. His strike rate is below 100, and he has failed to hit a single six. These statistics are very surprising considering Suryakumar's aggressive style of play. Noor's variations and tight lengths have evidently made it difficult for SKY. If this battle recurs in Match 38, Noor will seek to do it again, whereas Suryakumar will seek to finally overcome him. Deepak Chahar vs Rachin Ravindra Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2025 10 6 0 2 2 0 166.7 - Total 10 6 0 2 2 0 166.7 - Rachin Ravindra has been a good asset for the CSK team this season. The New Zealand batsman bats with ease and strength. But he has not had much of a struggle against Deepak Chahar yet, apart from this year's season. In their first and only encounter in IPL 2025, Rachin made 10 runs off 6 deliveries against Chahar. He had two boundaries and played at a high strike rate of more than 160. Even though Chahar could not get him out, he's renowned for his swing and smart movement at the beginning. If these two encounter each other again, one would like to see whether Chahar will be able to halt Rachin's attacking start in the powerplay. Also Read: "He backed me when I struggled": Siraj reveals Virat Kohli’s role Jasprit Bumrah vs Shivam Dube Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2019 1 1 0 0 0 0 100.0 - 2020 6 6 1 3 1 0 100.0 6.0 2021 3 10 1 7 0 0 30.0 3.0 2024 9 9 0 3 1 0 100.0 - Total 19 26 2 13 2 0 73.1 9.5 This one is potentially a battle of experience versus raw power. Shivam Dube has become a go-to finisher for CSK, but Jasprit Bumrah has consistently silenced him. They have clashed on several occasions since 2019, and Bumrah has twice sent back Dube in those matches. Overall, Dube has scored only 19 runs off 26 deliveries against Bumrah. He has scored just two fours and no sixes, and his strike rate is about 73. Bumrah's precision and crafty changes of pace have forced Dube to struggle and not go big. Dube may try to attack other bowlers instead, but if he has to contend with Bumrah again during the death, it'll be an acid test.