‘Beat CSK dressed as Pune’ – Mitchell McClenaghan, Scott Styris engage in hilarious banter post MI’s loss

Scott Styris and Mitchell McClenaghan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The T20 fever has taken over the entire world as the Indian Premier League season 16 has got off to a marvellous start. The fans are loving the battle between their favourite franchises as they fight amongst themselves for the coveted title. The IPL frenzy has not spared even former players of the tournament as Mitchell McClenaghan and Scott Styris got involved in a hilarious banter on Twitter.

The former New Zealand cricketers have played for two of the most successful franchises of the league namely Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, respectively. McClenaghan, who was a part of Mumbai Indians from 2015-2020, took to Twitter after MI’s loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, April 2, and consoled Mumbai’s fans.

RCB beat MI by 8 wickets in their opening game at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium, following which the former Kiwi bowler reminded MI fans that not winning their opening match is a good omen for the Rohit Sharma-led side as they’ve never won an IPL title after winning the first game.

“Positive Note. @mipaltan have never won a championship after winning the first game. Second Positive in general. How good is it to see games being played in Home grounds! Love it @IPL is back!” he wrote.

Styris, who has played for Chennai Super Kings for seasons 2011 and 2012, reminded his compatriot how Mumbai lost their first game last season as well and ended up finishing last on the points table.

“Another positive note… Mumbai has also finished last when they didn’t win their first match 🙊🙊🙊,” replied Styris.

Seeing the former kiwi all-rounder troll the five-time champions and the most successful team of the tournament, McClenaghan had a classy reply ready and reminded Styris of the number of occasions MI beat CSK in IPL finals. He even included MI’s win over Rising Pune Supergiants in the 2017 final by hilariously calling them CSK dressed as Pune as CSK captain MS Dhoni was a part of the side.

“On another positive note – on two occasions Mumbai beat CSK in the final and on a 3rd occasion beat CSK dressed as Pune 🤣🤣🤣,” McClenaghan replied.

Mumbai have in fact defeated Chennai thrice in the IPL finals in 2013, 2015 and 2019 respectively. Notably, Chennai is the second most successful team in IPL history having won the tournament on four occasions under the leadership of MS Dhoni. They defeated Mumbai in the final of the 2010 edition to win their first IPL title.

Meanwhile, after losing their first game, Mumbai Indians will look to bounce back in the ongoing season as they face their arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings on April 8, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Mumbai have dominated CSK in their IPL history as they’ve won 20 matches out of 34 games played between the two sides.