Introduction: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians Timeline
The Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians timeline represents the most iconic and successful rivalry in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Whenever CSK and MI face each other, the contest goes far beyond league points—it becomes a clash of legacies, leadership, fan pride, and cricketing supremacy.
Since the first IPL season in 2008, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) have consistently remained among the strongest teams in the tournament. Both franchises are the joint most successful IPL teams, having won five IPL titles each, and together they define the gold standard of consistency, strategy, and pressure performance in T20 cricket.
This detailed article explores the complete CSK vs MI timeline, covering match history, head-to-head records, finals, key moments, legendary players, statistics, and season-wise performance from 2008 to 2025.
Table of Contents
Why CSK vs MI Is the Greatest Rivalry in IPL
The CSK vs MI rivalry is unmatched because of several unique factors:
- Both teams have 5 IPL titles
- They have faced each other more than any other IPL teams
- Four IPL finals between CSK and MI
- Legendary captains MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma
- High-pressure playoff encounters
- Massive fan bases across India and overseas
- Regular appearances in playoffs and top-four finishes
This rivalry is often compared to El Clásico in football due to its intensity, history, and competitive balance.
CSK vs MI Overall Head-to-Head Record (Till 2025)
Combined Head-to-Head (IPL + CLT20)
| Matches Played | Mumbai Indians Wins | Chennai Super Kings Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | 22 | 19 |
Mumbai Indians hold a narrow lead, but the rivalry remains incredibly balanced.
CSK vs MI Head-to-Head in IPL Only
| Format | Matches | MI Wins | CSK Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 37 | 20 | 17 |
CSK vs MI Venue-Wise Record
| Venue | Matches | MI Wins | CSK Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| Mumbai | 17 | 9 | 8 |
| Neutral Venues | 15 | 8 | 7 |
Both teams perform strongly at home and away, which highlights their adaptability.
CSK vs MI Timeline: Year-by-Year Rivalry History
2008–2010: The Foundation Years
The first CSK vs MI match in IPL history took place on April 23, 2008, at Chennai. CSK scored 208/5, powered by Matthew Hayden (81) and Suresh Raina (53). Mumbai fell short by 6 runs, instantly creating a competitive spark.
In 2009, both teams exchanged wins in South Africa. However, it was 2010 that elevated the rivalry when CSK and MI met in the IPL Final for the first time.
2010 IPL Final – CSK’s First Championship
| Match | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2010 Final | CSK | 22 runs | DY Patil Stadium |
CSK scored 168/5, with Suresh Raina’s 57 setting the tone. Mumbai managed 146/9, and Chennai lifted their first IPL trophy, beginning a golden era.
2011–2012: Mumbai’s Rise
Mumbai Indians defeated CSK in the 2011 season opener, showing renewed strength. In 2012, MI won two out of three encounters, including a playoff match, signaling their emergence as a championship-ready side.
2013: A Turning Point in the Rivalry
2013 IPL Final – MI’s First Title
| Match | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2013 Final | MI | 23 runs | Eden Gardens |
Mumbai scored 148/9, with Kieron Pollard and Rohit Sharma playing crucial roles. CSK were bowled out for 125, and MI won their maiden IPL title, shifting the balance of power.
2014–2015: Mumbai’s Dominance Phase
2014 Season
CSK dominated the league encounters, winning all three matches against MI.
2015 IPL Final – MI’s Authority
| Match | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2015 Final | MI | 41 runs | Eden Gardens |
Mumbai posted 202/5, with Rohit Sharma scoring a captain’s knock. CSK were restricted to 161/8, giving MI their second IPL title.
CSK vs MI Timeline Table (2008–2015)
| Year | Matches | MI Wins | CSK Wins | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Rivalry begins |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Balanced season |
| 2010 | 3 | 1 | 2 | CSK win IPL |
| 2011 | 1 | 1 | 0 | MI opener win |
| 2012 | 3 | 2 | 1 | MI playoff win |
| 2013 | 4 | 3 | 1 | MI win IPL |
| 2014 | 3 | 0 | 3 | CSK dominance |
| 2015 | 4 | 3 | 1 | MI win IPL |
2016–2017: Temporary Pause
CSK were suspended during these seasons, while MI won IPL titles in 2017, further strengthening their legacy.
2018: CSK’s Fairytale Comeback
After returning from suspension, CSK defeated MI in the opening match of IPL 2018. Although MI won the final league encounter, CSK went on to win the IPL 2018 title, proving their resilience.
2019 IPL Final – The Greatest CSK vs MI Match
| Match | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2019 Final | MI | 1 run | Hyderabad |
MI scored 149/8, and CSK finished at 148/7 despite Shane Watson’s 80. Mumbai won by just one run, creating one of the most dramatic moments in IPL history.
CSK vs MI Timeline (2018–2025)
| Year | Matches | MI Wins | CSK Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
CSK vs MI in IPL Finals – Complete Record
| Year | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | CSK | 22 runs |
| 2013 | MI | 23 runs |
| 2015 | MI | 41 runs |
| 2019 | MI | 1 run |
Mumbai Indians have won 3 out of 4 IPL finals against CSK.
Most Runs in CSK vs MI Matches
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | MI | 913 |
| Suresh Raina | CSK | 736 |
| MS Dhoni | CSK | 732 |
| Kieron Pollard | MI | 636 |
| Ambati Rayudu | CSK/MI | 664 |
Most Wickets in CSK vs MI Rivalry
| Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | MI | 37 |
| Dwayne Bravo | CSK/MI | 37 |
| Harbhajan Singh | MI/CSK | 26 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | CSK | 22 |
Highest & Lowest Team Scores
Highest Scores
- MI – 219/6 (2021)
- CSK – 218/4 (2021)
- CSK – 208/5 (2008)
Lowest Scores
- CSK – 79 all out (2013)
- CSK – 97 all out (2022)
Players Who Played for Both CSK and MI
- Dwayne Bravo
- Ambati Rayudu
- Harbhajan Singh
- Michael Hussey
- Ajinkya Rahane
These players added extra intrigue whenever the two teams met.
CSK vs MI: Captaincy Battle
MS Dhoni (CSK)
- Calm leadership
- Tactical brilliance
- Exceptional finishing skills
Rohit Sharma (MI)
- Aggressive approach
- Match-winning instincts
- Most IPL titles as captain (5)
Their captaincy duel defined an entire IPL era.
CSK vs MI in IPL 2025
In IPL 2025, both teams won one match each, keeping the rivalry perfectly balanced and fans fully entertained.
Why CSK vs MI Rivalry Is Unmatched
- Most IPL finals between two teams
- Highest quality players
- Tactical depth
- Emotional fan engagement
- Consistent excellence
No other IPL rivalry comes close in terms of history, success, and impact.
Conclusion
The Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians timeline (2008–2025) is the backbone of IPL history. With 10 combined titles, four unforgettable finals, legendary players, and countless iconic moments, this rivalry defines what the IPL stands for.
As long as the IPL continues, CSK vs MI will remain the league’s most anticipated and celebrated clash—a rivalry built on excellence, legacy, and passion.
