Why MI and CSK are playing only one game against each other in IPL 2024?

Reigning champions Chennai Super Kings secured an easy 20 runs victory in a high scoring game against arch rivals Mumbai Indians in the 29th match of the 2024 Tata Indian Premier League on 14th April.

The game took place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai and the duo of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (69 runs in 40 balls) and Shivam Dube (66*runs in 38 balls)  played brilliant knocks before the legendary MS Dhoni entertained the completely packed Wankhede crowd with three consecutive maximums off the bowling of Hardik Pandya in the final over of the CSK inning as the visitors posted a competitive total of 206-4.

In reply, Rohit Sharma (105*runs in 63 balls) brought up his second IPL century and shared a couple of good partnerships with wicket - keeper batter Ishan Kishan (23 runs 15 balls) and Tilak Verma (31 runs in 20 balls). But, the Mumbai based franchise fell short by 20 runs as they failed to find an answer to the brilliance of CSK pacer Matheesha Pathirana (4-28).

Interestingly, the El Clasico between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on 14th April was the only match the two rivals were scheduled to play against each other for now as no other matches are scheduled to take place between them in the league phase.

Why are CSK and MI going to play against each other just once in IPL 2024? Explanation of the IPL 2024 format.

Reigning champions Chennai Super Kings (Group B) and Mumbai Indians (Group A) have been allotted different groups in IPL 2024. According to the scheduling format, each team will play a total of eight matches against the other teams of their group (Home and Away).

On the other hand, teams will play just one game in the league phase against four teams of the other group and two matches against the fifth team of that particular group. In the case of the Mumbai Indians, they are scheduled to play two games against the IPL 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Keeping in mind the regulations of the format, fierce rivals Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are not going to play any other match against each other at least in the league phase. We might get an opportunity to witness yet another clash between the two rivals if they qualify for the playoffs.

READ: Rohit Sharma might move to Chennai Super Kings in 2025