Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Timeline

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just a Cricket League but a party celebrating personality, emotion, and, of course, rivalry. When it comes to the IPL, there are many narratives, but there is one rivalry that is bigger than all; Chennai Super Kings ( CSK) versus Mumbai Indians (MI). Matches between the two sides are often dubbed the El Clásico of the IPL, but it is more than just a clash of two teams, it is a clash of ideologies, styles, and ultimately, cricketing legacies.

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As of April 2025, these two titans have locked horns on 39 occasions and have given fans some of the most dramatic, emotional, heart-stopping, and unbelievable moments in IPL history. Let’s take a look at their timeline and how the rivalry developed through the years.

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Timeline

The Rivalry Begins (2008 – 2010)

2008: The Rivalry Begins:

The rivalry was born in the first season of IPL. Their first encounter was on April 23, 2008, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai: CSK won a thriller by 6 runs. MI returned the favour in the second fixture at the Wankhede Stadium easily winning by 9 wickets.

2009: Let’s Call It Even

The IPL was moved to South Africa due to elections in India and the teams played each other twice again. MI got off to a fantastic start by winning the match by 19 runs at Newlands, Cape Town, but CSK leveled the head to head with a convincing chase in Port Elizabeth by knocking off the required runs with 7 wickets to spare.

2010: The Spyder and the Rise of Greatness

This season established the rivalry status of being enthralling. They played each other three times during the season – the first two matches in the respective home grounds and the final at DY Patil Stadium. CSK won two of these fixtures with a comprehensive 22 run victory in the Final. CSK secured their first IPL title under MS Dhoni. The emotional context of this victory created a legendary status with this rivalry.

2011 – 2013: Competition for Supremacy and the Pressure of Playoffs

2011-2012: Strength of competition

MI looked to gain an upper hand in the league phases when MI won both the Group matches in 2011 and also the first two editions of 2012. But CSK had the nerves of steel when it mattered in Eliminator 202 by smashing MI by 3 runs in the eliminator in Bengaluru effectively extinguishing MI chances of proceeding any further in the tournament.

2013: The Year of Playoff

The 2013 season saw the two teams play each other in four separate matches. MI won both of the group-stage matches, with the last match being a comprehensive victory, with MI winning by 60 runs against CSK at Wankhede. CSK got the better of MI in the 1st Qualifier by 48 runs, but in the final MI were victorious, winning their first IPL title, against CSK by 23 runs at Eden Gardens in a nail-biter.

2014–2015: Smartness of CSK vs The power of MI

2014: CSK’s Hat-Trick:

After the heart break of 2013, CSK got their revenge in 2014. They won both the league matches, one in Dubai, and the second at Wankhede in Mumbai. And then in the Eliminator Final at Brabourne, CSK defeated MI by 7 wickets, thus knocking MI out of the tournament.

2015: MI’s Revenge:

In 2015, the roles were reversed. MI beat CSK in the 1st Qualifier and then knocked them out yet again in the Final, this time a comfortable victory by 41 runs, when MI lifted their second title. MI did win one of the league stage matches, but MI had proven that they had ultimately solved the riddles when it came to the knock-out matches. At this stage we know the narrative; CSK was methodical, while MI took chances.

2016-2017: Rivalry in Recess

The rivalry was cut short due to CSK’s suspension for two years following the betting scandal in 2013, during which the Mumbai Indians seized their third title in 2017. When CSK returned, the fans missed their arch-rival.

2018-2019: Rivalry at its Best

2018: CSK Returns, MI is still Strong

When CSK returned in 2018, the anticipation was great – and didn’t disappoint. CSK won by 1 wicket in a thrilling season-opening match thanks to Dwayne Bravo. However, in the return match, MI defeated CSK by 8 wickets in Pune.

2019: MI Whitewash and a Historical Final

The rivalry saw MI completely dominate CSK on this season claiming victory in all four encounters including:

Two league matches.
The Qualifier – MI win by 6 wickets.
A sensational Final in Hyderabad where MI edged CSK by 1 run to win their fourth IPL Title.
This 1 run slog is still regarded as among the best ever IPL finals that have been played.

2020–2021: Pre-Pandemic Rivalry

2020: Mixed Results

In 2020, in the UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
CSK won the first match by 5 wickets in Abu Dhabi.
MI defeated CSK by 10 wickets in the return fixture in Sharjah.

This was the rollercoaster of compounded form we came to expect from post-COVID cricket.

2021: Competitive Battles

Matches resumed in India and halfway through the season moved to the UAE. In the first half, MI beat CSK by 4 wickets in Delhi, while CSK made full use of the second half to exact revenge over MI in Dubai 20 runs.

2022–2023: CSK is Back

2022: Split Results

Game one saw CSK defeat MI by 3 wickets at DY Patil.
MI defeated CSK by 5 wickets at Wankhede in the second fixture.
The pattern held, with each team holding their own.

2023: CSK Wins Both

In MI’s home of Wankhede this time, CSK won by 7 wickets.
Then at MA Chidambaram, CSK followed that up with a 6 wicket win over MI.

Going two-for-two, CSK re-established competitive character, with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway at the table leading the way.

2024–2025: The Rivalry Continues

2024: CSK Remains on Top

In their sole encounter for the season, CSK beat MI by 20 runs at Wankhede, keeping their momentum alive and unbeaten streak thus far in 2024.

2025: Another 1–1 Split

23 Mar 2025 – CSK won at home by 4 wickets in a comfortable chase.
20 Apr 2025 – MI crushed CSK at Wankhede in a comprehensive 9-wicket victory.

Stats Snapshot (as of April 2025)

Metric	CSK	MI
Total Matches	39	39
Wins	19	20
Final Wins vs Each Other	1	3
Playoff Wins vs Each Other	4	4
Biggest Win (by wickets)	7 wkts	10 wkts
Biggest Win (by runs)	48 runs	60 runs
Closest Match	Lost by 1 run (2019 Final)	Won by 1 run (2019 Final)

Evolution of the Rivalry

2010 Final – CSK wins their first title.
2013 Final – MI beats CSK to win its first title.
2014 Eliminator – CSK eliminated MI from the playoffs.
2015 Final – MI returns the favor and wins the title.
2019 Final – The closest IPL final in history as MI wins the title by 1 run.
2023 – CSK defeats MI in both matches for the first time in 9 years.

In Terms of Culture: North vs South

This rivalry is not just about wins or losses – it tells a bigger story about a cultural and sporting divide:

CSK represents consistency, tactical capacity and articulated calm under pressure from Dhoni. They have a strong following in Tamil Nadu and their loyal fan base is world renowned.
MI are known for being bolsters with star power and money. Their aggressive, no-quater-given mentality is shown through money and the star-studded nature that reflects the experience of Mumbai and the region of Maharashtra.
CSK-MI matches have evolved into cultural milestones. Each match has drawn records for viewership and changed the way T20 cricket is viewed and experienced upon viewing.

Conclusion: A Rivalry Sealed in History

The CSK vs MI rivalry is the lifeblood of the IPL. MI has 20 wins and CSK has 19 wins in 39 matches, and while MI has a slight advantage, that’s hardly significant, even after 17 years. These battles involve more than the desire to gain 2 points or win a trophy; they are about pride, legacy, and personal investment.

Whether it is a last-ball thriller, a humdinger in the playoffs, or an exquisite piece of chess between Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, all these matches write a new story, add to the IPL narrative.

Years from now, there will be one thing for certain: whenever Chennai Super Kings meet Mumbai Indians, the whole cricketing globe will tune in with eagerness.

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