The two most successful teams of Indian Premier League (IPL), Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), were supposed to lock horns on March 29, but due to Coronavirus pandemic, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was forced to suspend the 13th edition till 15th of the current month.
Both the sides have dominated in the lucrative league ever since it started. The Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai franchise has been the most successful team in terms of winning the coveted trophy as they have won it four times. However, CSK under the leadership of MS Dhoni isn’t far behind as they have won the prestigious trophy three times and reached the playoffs in every single season they have played.
But often this question roams around as who is better than whom? Some fans say that despite CSK winning one less title than MI is excellent in the cash-rich league due to its consistency. However, some pick MI just because they have won the title for the maximum number of times. But the debate remains the same as who is better between these two sides.
Now, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has also jumped in the much talked about discussion and gave his views. The cricketer-turned-commentator opined that the Mumbai-based franchise has emerged as a side which has challenged the mighty Super Kings and got the better of them in the finals.
“The IPL has been going on for about 12 years, and when we look at winning percentage, which is a good way of looking at teams, a good winning record, CSK is right up there, but of late, there’s been a surge by Mumbai Indians coming through the ranks, winning titles as well. Mumbai Indians have won 4, CSK has won 3, but they have played less IPL,” Manjrekar told Star Sports as quoted by HT.
Manjrekar said that in the first half of IPL, CSK was a side which dominated other teams, but in the later half, MI arose and performed better against the rest, including the Dhoni-led side.
“When you look at that, Mumbai Indians is emerging as a team that is threatening CSK in the last few years, they have actually been the better team than CSK, a couple of IPL titles to MI. When MI come to the final, they tend to win it, CSK not as much. When you look at the entire IPL, CSK go first, but of late, maybe Mumbai Indians have a slight edge,” the 54-year-old added.
