CSK vs MI Head-to-Head List: An IPL Clash of Giants is one of the most competitive rivalries in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL). Read along as Sportskeeda dives deep into the history of the rivalry between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings over the years.Indeed, it’s been more than a decade and even now, ‘Mumbaikars’ and ‘Chennaites’, along with IPL fans from around the globe, are glued to their television sets when these two teams take on each other. IN FACT, both these franchises – Sunrisers and CSK, who are back in IPL after a two-year ban – aren’t just two of the most successful franchises in the IPL history (both have won it five times) but are also two of the most followed franchises not only in India but around the cricketing world.
In all, CSK vs MI have played each other 41 times in IPL and Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20). The CSK vs MI rivalry has not only been enhanced with the number of title-winning matches, but rather with every season, the epic rivalry keeps increasing. Overall, MI have 22 wins as opposed to CSK’s 19.
The close unraveling and result in each match has only added fuel to the competitive fire sparked by these giants. So if you are lucky enough to go to one of these live in a stadium with a full crowd that is packed in around you, it is really hard to feel any different emotion than that which you have when you’re at a final; players know when they go out onto the field and line up against each other, they need to win this and nothing else matters. We are going to present is the detailed head-to-head list of these two giants in the cricketing history, well we are going to tell you the story and not just the number of matches played.
The Start of the Rivalry: The 2008 Season
The battle lines were drawn and the CSK vs MI rivalry was born in the inaugural 2008 season. The two teams met twice that season. In their first encounter, on April 23, 2008, CSK was victorious by 6 runs in a high-scoring match at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, engineered by a fine knock by Matthew Hayden, with CSK posting 208/5 and securing victory with a tight finish. MI also returned the favor in their return clash, completely crushing CSK by 9 wickets at their home ground Wankhede Stadium, led by the massive hitting of one of the legends of the game, Sanath Jayasuriya that day.
Both these initial matchups started an unforgettable journey that would develop into a fierce rivalry determined by mutual respect for one another but the fierce desire to continue to beat each other and dominate the IPL landscape.
Read More: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline / Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
A Story of Near Misses, Close Finishes and Big Finals: From 2010–2015
Between 2010 and 2015, the rivalry reached new levels with the development of both franchises as regular participants in playoffs and big finals. In 2010 alone, CSK and MI met each other three times, including the grand finale in Mumbai. CSK won that final, playing under MS Dhoni, by 22 runs, winning the very first IPL title for the CSK franchise, due in large part to the performances from Suresh Raina, and nudging the rivalry in Chennai’s favour a little.
But MI was getting their revenge in the years that followed. In 2013 and 2015, the two teams met in some important fixtures, including two IPL finals, both won by MI. In the 2013 final at Eden Gardens, MI dismissed CSK for 125/9 and won comfortably by 23 runs. In the 2015 final, MI proved far too strong again for CSK, beating them by 41 runs. It was Kieron Pollard and Rohit Sharma who were key to winning these finals against CSK, with their batting often leading MI to easy victories.
The rivalry wasn’t just limited to IPL, when the two sides met again in 2012 and 2013 in the CLT20, with one win apiece. Although these matches were held on international soil, they certainly held the same intensity and fanfare in comparison to the matches played in the IPL season.
The Suspension Era and Come Back: 2016–2018
The CSK vs MI rivalry took a 2-year hiatus in 2016 and 2017, when Chennai Super Kings were suspended from participating due to the spot-fixing scandal. Meanwhile, MI dominated the league, winning the title in 2017.
The 2018 season was CSK’s much-anticipated comeback and instantly reignited the rivalry. The first match of IPL 2018 was exactly what expectations dictated, as CSK wrote an incredibly dramatic 1-wicket victory in Mumbai with Dwayne Bravo’s cameo being one of the memorable ones in IPL history. However, MI returned later in the season and stole a win in Chennai.
By now, the rivalry wasn’t just about two teams with talents—it had taken an emotional step forward. These two teams and fanbases were filled with emotion, and every match was a celebration and a war.
Dominance and Drama: 2019 Season
If there was a season that illustrated MI’s dominance over CSK, it was 2019. The two teams played four times in 2019 and MI won all four including the final.
Coming into the matches against CSK, MI had already won at MI by 37 runs. MI made another mark in Chennai – one place that CSK doesn’t lose at. MI went on to win in Qualifier 1 and finally the final. The final in Hyderabad was a nail-biting experience. MI tallied 149 against CSK, and CSK fell a run short. This was one of the closest finals in IPL history and resulted in MI’s 4th title.
In this season, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga were MI’s key figures, tearing CSK’s batting unit apart when it counted. Captain Rohit Sharma and MI’s all-round ability proved too much for even the seasoned CSK side.
COVID Years, and the Sharjah Special: 2020 – 2021
The 2020 season, which due to the pandemic was played entirely in the UAE, produced two contrasting outcomes. CSK had shaded the first match by 5 wickets with Rayudu taking centre-stage. But when the two sides met again in Sharjah, MI hammered CSK by 10 wickets, largest win (by wickets) in the history of the rivalry.
The 2021 season produced one of the more exciting endings between the two sides, as MI chased down 219 in the last over in Delhi as Pollard smashed his way to an incredible 87 off 34. CSK bounced back for revenge in the UAE leg of the tournament, defending a low total and going on to win the IPL title.
This phase illustrated the binary nature of their rivalry. No matter how one-sided a match or season appeared, there was always some form of a bounce-back waiting.
Recent Years: Equally Matched and Tightly Contested (2022-2025)
The rivalry stayed evenly matched in recent years. In 2022, CSK and MI split the wins. In 2023, CSK won both games and went on to win the trophy, solidifying their status as the kings of comebacks.
The 2024 and 2025 editions once again featured one win apiece for the two sides. In April of 2024, CSK defeated Mumbai by 20 runs in Mumbai, replete with Pathirana fireworks. However, in their most recent encounter in April of 2025 MI bowled, led by a resurgent Rohit Sharma, chased down the score for an emphatic 9 wicket win.
Despite both teams being in rebuilding modes, they have remained relevant and competitive. The rivalry is no longer only about the past legends like Dhoni, Raina, or Malinga; it is now led by new faces and smart team selections.
Key Players and Contributions
While the head-to-head results narrowly favor Mumbai, both teams have had stellar players in the rivalry.
Overall, Rohit Sharma is the overall run scorer with almost 900 runs, including a century. CSK has relied heavily on Suresh Raina, who has clocked over 736 runs in thirty two innings.
In the bowling department, both Lasith Malinga and Dwayne Bravo are at the top with 37 wickets apiece. What is interesting is that Bravo has played for both franchises and been the chief match-winner at each.
With 37 matches played in Chepauk often, MS Dhoni is the most consistent faceoff in this rivalry, bringing many matches to the finish with his leadership, finishing and calm demeanor.
Read More: South Africa National Cricket Team Vs England Cricket Team Timeline
Off the Field: The Emotional Connect
The other element that makes this rivalry so unique is the emotional connection that it has formed with its respective fans. Chennai and Mumbai are two of the largest metropolitan cities in India, with each of their own culture, legacy, and fan loyalty. Regardless of when CSK plays MI, social media will be trending with the match, and the streets of Chennai and Mumbai will sparkle with cheerleaders dressed in colors, while the stadium roars with chants of “Thala” and “Hitman”.
Usually, even a neutral fan will pick a side in this fixture. The level of support is such that broadcasters have continuously reported that CSK games vs MI have evoked the largest viewership of all franchises.
The Future
Both franchises having won five IPL titles each, and two CLT20 trophies as well, there is still so much to play for. The current head-to-head record is 22-19 to the Mumbai Indians, but the margin is narrow – it only takes one or two seasons to tip the balance.
With a young talent pool, club development, and the unending reputation of the icons that laid the foundation for this rivalry, the CSK versus MI ‘story’ is bound to excite fans for years to come. The IPL 2026 is around the corner and supporters for both teams will look forward to the next episode in arguably cricket’s most exciting domestic rivalry.
