IPL 2025 match 9 is between two heavyweight giants one who are 5-time title holders and another one the team who won their maiden trophy within their starting instalment. Mumbai is a grippy team with all their superstar players included and the other side Gujarat with a young team who are eager to run the show on their own. Both the teams are eager to win the game as they lost their first encounter. 
Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya will be back to the side after the completion of his one-match ban, Mumbai's last match was against their arch-rivals Csk where Mi got beaten up by 4 wickets. Same as the thing with Gujarat where they played their opening game against Punjab and lost against them while chasing it was an interesting encounter where GT lost the match by 11 runs margin only. So this match will be quite an exciting one in which to open its account in winning ways. Now it's time to see which players can perform well in this match. 

Read More: IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans Match 9
Top 3 Performers Who Can Outshine The Match
1 Sai Sudharshan
 The Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharshan is in great touch where he scored 74 runs against Punjab Kings where his team had to chase 243 runs. Sai played with an aggressive mindset which took on the chase for Gujarat Titans. He hit six sixes and  5 fours in his innings which shows the calibre of the player, he had a strike rate of 180 above which is really a good sign for Gujarat Titans. 
Sai Sudharshan has a good batting record against Mumbai where his runs speak for him for the most. His next challenge is against Mumbai Indians where he is expected to repeat the same performance. 
2  Deepak Chahar
  Deepak Chahar is an all-rounder who has been bought up by Mumbai Indians in a recent IPL auction for 9.25 crores. Earlier being part of Chennai Super Kings he provided a great performance for them it was unfortunate for Csk that they weren't able to bid for Chahar, though Mumbai picked him by their side and he has delivered them back by scoring valuable runs and taking important wickets during the chasing. 
So Fat Chahar has been impressive for Mumbai Indians and the team hopes he will deliver another big performance for them. 
3 Rohit Sharma
 Rohit Sharma has been the source of energy for Mumbai Indians and his iconic knocks have been vigilant to it. Reshaping the Mumbai team and making them a five-time champion side. Rohit has scored huge runs for them and recently he is been too high and low for the team. Recently Rohit Sharma won CT for India and has a huge stake for Mi, as he scored 75 runs in the final. 
It's depicted that Rohit may get back to his original touch as the tournament progresses for Mi. 

After MI’s clash with CSK, Malti shared a meme on her Instagram story that instantly went viral. The iconic "Baahubali-Kattappa" betrayal scene, a signio that characterized the change of situation when Deepak, who was a top player in CSK, joined the other side, thus being on the team opposite to the one he used to play. the meme was shared by Malti Chahar, who is the sister of Deepak Chahar. 

Malti Chahar's Instagram story. pic.twitter.com/1bfxj4kcU4

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 24, 2025

Also Read: DC vs LSG: Delhi Capitals Star Set to Miss IPL 2025 Season Opener

The meme was derived from a certain line of the movie which the audience of the post quickly identified. That line, to them, was humorous as it was a different view of Deepak moving from CSK to MI and, battle against his fellow team-mates. It was a crowd-pleaser with some likening it to a scene where Kattappa betrays Baahubali emotionally.

The meme went viral over the websites where the fans re-shared the meme for more wisdom and also they posted their own updated versions. Some denounced it as the "ultimate betrayal," but others were more accepting of the jovial interaction that makes IPL even more entertaining. With the 2025 season bringing unforeseen plot twists, Malti Chahar’s humorous review confirmed once again that cricket is not just about the game, it’s also about the feelings, nostalgia, and fun.

​In a light-hearted moment during the IPL 2025 match between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI), CSK captain MS Dhoni playfully swung his bat at teammate Deepak Chahar after the match concluded, sharing a smile that delighted fans.

Mahi maar raha hai 🤣

MS Dhoni hitting Deepak Chahar with bat. pic.twitter.com/ThJAxvtfa9

— Jeet (@JeetN25) March 23, 2025

ALSO READ:-Noor Ahmed Stuns Mumbai with Record-Breaking Spell

A Fun Moment Between Teammates:-

The match came to an end and Dhoni and Chahar were seen appreciating each other with laughter. During their parting ways, Dhoni playfully swung his bat toward Chahar, forcing everyone in the vicinity to giggle. This was the moment in which the molded strong bond between the CSK players was recognized.

Dhoni stood there waiting for Chahar and did this😂 😂 pic.twitter.com/Evsyh8KeGY

— 🎰 (@StanMSD) March 23, 2025

ALSO READ:-Watch: Vintage Dhoni Moment as He Enters to Finish Off MI at Chepauk

Fans Loved Dhoni’s Gesture:-

CSK supporters loved the lighthearted exchange and praised Dhoni’s cool and fun-loving character. Many remembered the same kind of moment as IPL 2023's when Dhoni was playfully trying to hit Chahar with the bat before the game. Such moments illustrate the relaxed and friendly atmosphere within the CSK squad.

5 Players Who Can Replace Jasprit Bumrah in Mumbai Indians

1. Trent Boult (Left-arm Fast Bowler)

Trent Boult is the 1st choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah.One of the best left-arm pacers in world cricket, known for his swing in the powerplay and ability to take early wickets. Previously he played for Rajasthan Royals and in a mega auction mumbai indians bought him.

He has been the best bowler in T20 leagues, taking 31 wickets in 15 matches for MI NY in Major League Cricket with an impressive average of 15.12 and a strike rate of 11.0, meaning he gets a wicket almost every second over. In the IPL, he has played 104 matches and picked up 121 wickets, with best figures of 4/18 and an economy of 8.29 runs per over. He has also performed well in other leagues like SA20, ILT20, and BBL, consistently taking wickets.

2. Deepak Chahar (Right-arm Medium-Fast Bowler)

Deepak Chahar is the 2nd choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. A powerplay specialist with exceptional swing bowling skills, experienced in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and capable of contributing with the bat.

He has played for two teams in the IPL, featuring in 81 matches and bowling 1,669 deliveries while conceding 2,221 runs. Over his career, he has picked up 77 wickets, with his best bowling performance being 4/13. He averages 28.84 runs per wicket, has an economy rate of 7.98 runs per over, and takes a wicket roughly every 21.6 balls. He has also managed two four-wicket hauls but hasn’t taken a five-wicket haul yet in the IPL.

3. Lizaad Williams (Right-arm Fast Bowler)

Lizaad Williams is the 3rd choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. Lizaad Williams is a fast-medium bowler. He has also played international matches also.

He had a tough time in the IPL with Delhi Capitals, playing just 2 matches and taking only 1 wicket while being quite expensive with an economy of 12.00. However, he was much better in SA20 for Joburg Super Kings, where he took 20 wickets in 12 games with a solid average of 15.90 and best figures of 4/26.

4. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Right-arm Off-spin Bowler)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the 4th choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. A mystery spinner with variations, particularly effective in T20s, with IPL experience at Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He was outstanding in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), taking 26 wickets in 18 matches with a brilliant average of 14.46 and keeping things tight with an economy of 5.61. In the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), he also did well, picking up 25 wickets in 22 games with a solid average of 18.40 and an economy of 5.34. However, he struggled in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he managed just 6 wickets in 11 matches, proving to be expensive with an economy of 8.65 and a high bowling average of 63.50.

5. Venkata Satyanarayana(Right-arm Fast Bowler)

Venkata Satyanarayana is the 5th choice to replace Jasprit Bumrah. He showed his skills in the First class cricket and in 2025 Mi was picked in IPL Auction.

He has played 7 T20 matches, taking 7 wickets with best figures of 2/19. On average, he gives away 8.23 runs per over and takes a wicket every 19.5 balls. While he has been decent, he hasn’t had any big performances like four or five-wicket hauls yet.

MI Players in Action at DY Patil Tournament
Some of the Mumbai Indians players are playing for the Reliance side at the tournament, including:

• Tilak Varma
• KL Shrijith
• Robin Minz
• Naman Dhir
• Raj Angad Bawa
• Deepak Chahar
• Karan Sharma
• Vignesh Puthur
• S Raju
• Aswani Kumar

The DY Patil Tournament has always been an important platform for players headed to the IPL to hone their skills before the season. With a combination of big names and young guns, MI is keeping their team match-fit.

Mumbai Indians has started the preparation for IPL 2025 🔵

- Tilak Varma, KL Shrijith, Robin Minz, Naman Dhir, Raj Angad Bawa, Deepak Chahar, Karan Sharma, Vignesh Puthur, S Raju, Aswani Kumar are playing for Reliance in DY Patil Tournament.

Lasith Malinga is along with the… pic.twitter.com/oTqBC4H9b7

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 25, 2025

ALSO SEE: BCCI's Plan to Keep Indian Players Engaged with Red-Ball Cricket During IPL 2025

Lasith Malinga Joins the Preparations
Tough fast bowler Lasith Malinga, the bowling coach of Mumbai Indians, is keeping a close eye on the players. His presence is a godsend, especially for the young fast bowlers who want to make their mark in IPL 2025.
Full Swing Preparations for the Title
Five-time IPL winners Mumbai Indians are leaving nothing to chance to win their sixth trophy. While their core group of players are actively taking part in the DY Patil Tournament, there are also lessons from experienced mentors like Malinga. The MI preparations are full steam ahead.
With IPL 2025 coming on March 22, Mumbai Indians' pre-mature commencement of preparations indicates their determination to rule the forthcoming season. Followers will be interested in knowing the way this groundwork will be utilized in performances after the tournament's commencement.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most celebrated teams in the IPL, are currently navigating through the 2024 season with a blend of strategy and resilience. Among the updates from the team is the status of Deepak Chahar, a pivotal player in CSK’s bowling lineup, whose recent injury has been a talking point among fans and analysts alike.

The Impact of Deepak Chahar’s Injury

Deepak Chahar has been a crucial bowler for CSK, known for his swing bowling and ability to pick early wickets. His role in the team is instrumental, often setting the tone in the initial overs of the game.

See Also: ‘At 33, my career is just starting’ – Asha Sobhana says after she earns her maiden call-up for Bangladesh tour

Recently, Chahar sustained a minor niggle, which has led to him warming the sidelines. The nature of his injury, described as minor by CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming, suggests a cautious approach to his recovery, prioritizing long-term fitness over immediate gameplay.

Chahar’s absence means a shift in the bowling strategy for CSK, with other players needing to step up to fill his overs. The team’s approach in the upcoming games will likely reflect this adjustment.

Overview of Fleming’s Statements

During a recent pre-match press conference, Fleming provided updates on Chahar’s condition, reassuring that the injury was minor and that Chahar was undergoing rehabilitation. He emphasized the importance of allowing adequate recovery time for Chahar.

“He is doing his rehabs well. It was a minor injury nothing to worry about. Shardul Thakur bowled well in the last match against Mumbai so we opted to give time to Chahar to recover well,” said Fleming on Chahar at the pre-match press conference.

Shardul Thakur, stepping in for Chahar, has been a competent all-rounder with a proven track record in both domestic and international cricket. His ability to control the run rate and deliver in crucial moments has been evident in recent games.

In the match against Mumbai Indians, Thakur managed to keep the scoring under control, conceding just 35 runs in his quota of four overs. His performance has been crucial in maintaining the team’s momentum in Chahar’s absence.

Brief Overview of CSK’s Performance

The season has seen CSK securing a strong position in the league standings, thanks in part to strategic gameplay and dynamic leadership. Under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the team has showcased a balanced attack and has secured four wins out of six games, placing them third in the standings.

The upcoming match against the Lucknow Super Giants is critical for CSK to maintain their position in the top tier of the standings. With both teams showcasing formidable line-ups, the clash is expected to be a highlight of the season.

Chennai Super Kings’ versatile player, Deepak Chahar, brought a touch of humor to the pre-match banter as he shared insights into the upcoming clash in IPL 2024. With the game set to unfold in Hyderabad, Chahar playfully disclosed the curator’s ambitious plans to turn the match into a run-fest.

According to Chahar, the curator in Hyderabad is aiming to surpass the monumental 277-run mark set in a previous encounter held in Vizag. In a jovial tone, he hinted at the curator’s determination to see the boundaries flowing freely and the scoreboard ticking relentlessly.

Chahar shares pitch dynamics

“I think the ball is swinging less, the wickets are pretty flat, last match in Vizag, I asked the curator if he wanted to see 300 runs being scored, he just said that he wanted to break the 277-run record set in Hyderabad (laughs). Last match, KKR made 272 there. I think this mentality should change, they should prepare 200-run pitches. For me, the pitch doesn’t matter, the ball does swing in the 1st over. I’ve played a lot of games, the bounce is always good, there’s something in this wicket for the pacers, it’s not flat. It’s better in the middle overs.”

“Last time the crowd support was 90-10 in favor of CSK” – Deepak Chahar

Reflecting on recent IPL fixtures, Chahar highlighted the trend of high-scoring matches, where teams batting first have breached the 270-run barrier with remarkable ease. He reminisced about the SunRisers’ phenomenal innings, posting a daunting 277 against the Mumbai Indians, followed by a commendable response from the latter with a score of 246. Additionally, he recalled the Kolkata Knight Riders’ dominant performance in Vizag, where they amassed a staggering 272/7 and clinched victory by a massive 106-run margin.

“Anyway, you don’t bowl a lot of bouncers with the new ball. But we did see with Mayank Yadav, he got protection in the deep, the batters will be left thinking, so it does help in the middle and death overs, especially if you use your variations. Last time the crowd support was 90-10 in favour of CSK, today I think it’s around 80-20.”

See Also: Watch: Fans go berserk at MS Dhoni’s entry in Hyderabad

Despite the curator’s aspirations for a run-laden spectacle, Chahar assured fans that the pitch in Hyderabad isn’t merely a batting paradise. With a mischievous grin, he hinted at some surprises in store, suggesting that seamers might find the conditions favorable for their craft.

In essence, Chahar’s playful revelation not only added an element of anticipation to the forthcoming match but also hinted at the potential for an exhilarating contest between bat and ball, promising entertainment for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Today in the first innings CSK is rocking in the field with 156 runs in 18.3 over.

Senior Indian bowlers’ recurring injuries, according to Ravi Shastri, are “unreal,” “ridiculous,” and “frustrating.”

Shastri’s remarks came while examining the furthest down the line injury to Deepak Chahar, who dumbfounded only one preceding pulling out of Chennai Super Lords’ IPL match against Mumbai Indians in the wake of getting a left hamstring injury.

“Let’s put it this way: there are quite a few in the last three or four years who are permanent residents of the NCA. Soon, they’ll get a resident permit there to walk in any time they want, which is not a good thing at all. It’s unreal.” 

Shastri said on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time: Out show ahead of Super Kings’s home match against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.

Chahar had hamstring issues for the second time in the last five months, requiring him to leave a game before completing his four overs. Chahar left the second one-day international against Bangladesh in Mirpur in December after bowling three overs. After sustaining a Grade 3 quadricep tear in February, he then returned to the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where he would spend the majority of 2022.

A solid back, which was analyzed as a pressure crack, then deferred his rebound, baffling both Chahar and the Indian team Management, prompting Rohit Sharma saying that the group “can’t afford guys coming in here half-fit and representing the country”.

Chahar isn’t the only Indian athlete who has missed significant time due to recurring injuries: Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldip Sen, and Mohsin Khan have all been out of action recently for varying lengths of time. In fact, Bumrah tried to come back from his back injury multiple times before having surgery recently.

Ravi Shastri stated that the fact that the majority of these players were declared fit by the NCA medical team but were still suffering from injuries was the thing that bothered him the most

“Come on, you’re not playing that much cricket to be injured again and again. I mean, you can’t play four matches on the trot. What are you going to the NCA for? If you are going to come back and then three matches [later] you’re back there. So make sure you get fit and come once and for all because it’s damn frustrating. Not just for the team, the players, the BCCI, the captains of the various [IPL] franchises. It’s annoying, to say the least. I can understand a serious injury, but every four games when someone touches his hamstring or someone touches his groin, you start thinking what are these guys… what are they training, what’s going on. And some of them don’t play any other cricket in the year. It’s just four overs [in the IPL], man, three hours. The game is over.”

Shastri said.

In a statement to the media a day after the Mumbai Indians match, Super Kings stated that Chahar would undergo additional scans before his participation in the remainder of the IPL would be decided.

Chahar himself had recently stated that recovering from a significant injury was never simple. He had told PTI in February that he was “fully fit” and ready for the IPL.

“I had two big injures. One was a stress fracture and one was a quad grade 3 tear. They are both very big injuries. You are out for months. Anyone who comes back after the injury, it takes time, especially for the fast bowlers.”

he had said

India skipper Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the third ODI following an injury to his left-hand thumb and will fly back to the country, India coach Rahul Dravid said at the press conference after the second ODI against Bangladesh. Despite the finger injury which saw him unable to open the innings for India, Rohit came in at number nine. Almost snatched the game away from the Tigers in the second ODI today with an unbeaten 28-ball 51.

Needing six off the last delivery, Rohit was left frustrated as Mustafizur Rahman produced a yorker to keep the right-hander at bay as Bangladesh won by five runs to seal a memorable series win 2-0. Rohit later informed during the post-match presentation ceremony that he had a dislocation but ‘fortunately it wasn’t a fracture’. While Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the third ODI. Pacers Kuldeep Sen and Deepak Chahar will also sit out the third ODI through injuries. “Kuldeep, Deepak and Rohit will certainly miss the next game. I think Kuldeep and Deepak are out of the series.

Also Read: Mehidy leads Bangladesh to series-clinching win over India

“Kuldeep, Deepak and Rohit will certainly miss the next game

Rohit will certainly miss the next game, will fly back to Mumbai and consult with an expert and see how it is. Whether he can come back for the Test matches or not we’re not sure. It’s too early to say at the moment but certainly, in the next match the three won’t play,” Rahul Dravid said at press conference after the game. The India skipper had to be taken to hospital for scans after injury to left-hand thumb while fielding at slips very early on the game. Dravid praised his captain for showing courage under such circumstances.

“It was phenomenal. I think for him to show that level of courage. He had a serious dislocation, he had to go to hospital to get that set right, stitches in his hand, couple of injections to go out and bat. Credit to him, he was really determined to go out and have a go and take a chance. It’s amazing how close he got us with that innings, it was an absolutely phenomenal innings by the skipper.  Great courage to be able to go out there and give us a chance. Unfortunately, in the end we couldn’t get over the line,” Dravid said. With Rishabh Pant ruled out earlier, India have thirteen players available for the third ODi from a squad of 17.