Sanjay Manjrekar picks the better team between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians is the battle of the IPL which everyone looks forward to each. Even in 2020, the tournament was supposed to start with the marquee battle but due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the tournament got delayed. Well, there has always been a debate which of these two sides are better. Sanjay Manjrekar recently came up to give his opinion on the debate.

Former cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out that if someone considers winning percentage, both the teams are right at the top. In fact, both the teams have almost a similar winning percentage. Chennai is slightly ahead with 61% while Mumbai stands at 58%. Manjekar also noted that even though Mumbai Indians have won four titles, one more compared to Chennai, they have also played two seasons more.

‘Mumbai have a slight edge’: Sanjay Manjrekar

“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,” Sanjay Manjrekar said while speaking to the Star Sports.

Chennai Super Kings were banned from the IPL for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In 2018, they made a comeback and also won the title for the first time since 2011.

Sanjay Manjrekar finally said that Mumbai have a slight edge in the battle for the past few years, simply because they have won more finals. Chennai has made it into the finals eight times, in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2019. However, they have won only three finals.

On the other hand, Mumbai Indians have played the finals five times, in 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Out of these five finals, Mumbai has won four of them.

“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 comes to the final, they tend to win it, CSK not as much. When you look at the entire IPL, CSK goes first, but of late maybe Mumbai Indians have a slight edge,” Sanjay Manjrekar added.