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However, recent reports suggest that the IPL's TV ratings have declined in the past couple of years due to viewer fatigue. Star Sports recorded a TVR of 5.6 for the opening fixture in 2022, the lowest in the last six editions. As viewers returned to their TV screens for the sixth time in three years, they found other distractions when India returned to a more normal way of life after a nearly 21-month lockdown, leading to a decline in TV viewership.

After Rajasthan Royals face off against Delhi Capitals in the first electrifying encounter of the doubleheader. Former India cricketer Yusuf Pathan has backed Mumbai Indians to win the game as beating the five-time champions at Wankhede Stadium has always been an uphill task for the Super Kings. Yusuf Pathan, an IPL legend, went on to say that beating Mumbai in their backyard isn't going to be easy for M.S. Dhoni-led CSK.

According to information received here, Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the tournament, recorded a TVR of 7.29 for the opening fixture, a sharp drop from the 2021 edition (8.25) and 2020 (10.36). The engagement numbers for the 1st game came in at a lowly 33 per cent, the second lowest in the past six seasons and the BARC numbers were also reflective of this drop with the curtain raiser recorded at 22 per cent as opposed to previous year's 23.1 per cent.

"If you ask MS Dhoni, he will ask what difference it makes, whether he has scored 5000, 3000 or 7000 runs, the important thing is to win the trophy, which he has done. I don't think he goes after or thinks about milestones," Sehwag said during the post-match show on Star Sports.

Deshpande, who came in as an Impact Player, replacing Ambati Rayudu in the match against Lucknow Super Giants, conceded 45 runs in his four overs while picking up the wickets two wickets. However, the pacer didn't have a great start as he conceded 18 runs in his first over, which consisted of 11 deliveries. But, Dhoni trusted him to defend 28 runs in the final over where Deshpande gave away 15 runs and picked the wicket of Ayush Badoni, as CSK won the match by 12 runs.

After Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway shared a 110-run opening stand while Ambati Rayudu and captain M.S. Dhoni, along with Moeen and Shivam Dube, propelled CSK to reach 217/7, Kyle Mayers had threatened to steal their thunder with a 22-ball 53. His efforts meant Lucknow reached 73/0 in five overs. But Moeen and Santner came in as LSG slipped to 82/3 in the eighth over.

Both Gaikwad (57) and Conway (47) played some outstanding shots to smash 79 runs in the Power-play, which became CSK's highest-ever Powerplay score at Chepauk, beating the previous best of 75. After taking CSK to 100 in eight overs, the duo fell in quick succession. But the rest of the batting order ensured CSK went past 200, especially with Dhoni treating the crowd to a short yet sparking innings in the final over.

After winning the toss, Rahul said Jaydev Unadkat goes out and Yash Thakur comes into the playing eleven, making it the lone change from their 50-run win over Delhi Capitals at home. "We want to know what we are chasing. It was a really good performance against DC, all parts of the game we did well. We need to turn up again today and better those performances."

On Monday, CSK will be back playing at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium after a gap of 1426 days when they face the K.L Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants in their first home game of IPL 2023. The last time CSK played at Chepauk was on May 7, 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic prevented them from playing their home games in Chennai.

Prior to the commencement of the league, CSK batting coach Mike Hussey has confirmed that the England Test captain, who has had issues with his knee in the recent past, will go purely as a batsman from the start and he won't be bowling much at all in the first few games of the tournament.