The Indian Premier League (IPL) has given cricket fans countless moments of drama, passion, and unforgettable rivalries. But none shine brighter—or burn hotter—than the epic clash between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Often dubbed the “El Clásico of the IPL,” this rivalry transcends team loyalties, blending legacy, leadership, and high-stakes cricket into a spectacle that captivates millions every season.
Since the inaugural IPL in 2008, MI and CSK have faced off more than any other pair of franchises, building a storied history filled with last-over thrillers, record-breaking performances, and championship-defining encounters. Whether it’s MS Dhoni’s ice-cool finishes or Rohit Sharma’s tactical masterclasses, the Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings timeline is a treasure trove for cricket historians and fans alike.
In this comprehensive guide, we dive deep into the MI vs CSK head-to-head record, explore every match from 2008 to 2025, highlight legendary performances, and unpack why this rivalry remains the heartbeat of the IPL. Let’s relive the journey.
Table of Contents
Complete Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline (2008–2025)
Below is a detailed chronological table capturing every encounter between MI and CSK in the IPL, including league matches, playoffs, qualifiers, and finals.
| 2008 | Match 13 (League) | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 6 wickets; Hayden (71*) starred |
| 2008 | Match 44 (League) | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 49 runs; Pollock 3/15 |
| 2009 | Match 23 (League) | Newlands, Cape Town | Chennai Super Kings | Rain-affected; CSK won via D/L |
| 2009 | Match 46 (League) | Wanderers, Johannesburg | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 19 runs; Harbhajan 3/15 |
| 2010 | Match 20 (League) | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | Dhoni 69*; CSK chased 166 |
| 2010 | Match 53 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 22 runs; Duminy 56 |
| 2011 | Final | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 58 runs; Morkel 2/18, Raina 38 |
| 2012 | Match 16 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 8 wickets; Tendulkar 51* |
| 2012 | Match 55 (League) | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 6 wickets; Hussey 63* |
| 2013 | Qualifier 1 | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 25 runs; Pollard 60*, Malinga 2/22 |
| 2013 | Final | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 23 runs; Rohit 50, Malinga 2/22 |
| 2014 | Match 20 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 6 wickets; Raina 67 |
| 2014 | Match 52 (League) | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 24 runs; Rayudu 63 |
| 2015 | Qualifier 1 | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 25 runs; Simmons 65, Bumrah 2/17 |
| 2015 | Final | Eden Gardens | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 41 runs; Rohit 50, McClenaghan 3/25 |
| 2018 | Match 12 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 1 wicket; Dhoni 70*, last-ball thriller |
| 2018 | Match 44 (League) | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 6 wickets; de Kock 81 |
| 2019 | Match 15 (League) | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 6 wickets; Watson 96*, Dhoni 44* |
| 2019 | Match 44 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 46 runs; de Kock 81, Bumrah 2/14 |
| 2020 | Match 6 (League) | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 5 wickets; Rayudu 45*, Jadeja 2/18 |
| 2020 | Match 43 (League) | Dubai International Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 10 wickets; de Kock 53*, Ishan 48* |
| 2021 | Match 19 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 4 wickets; de Kock 80 |
| 2021 | Match 51 (League) | Dubai International Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 3 wickets; Gaikwad 70, Bravo 2/20 |
| 2022 | Match 18 (League) | Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 3 wickets; Conway 87*, Jadeja 23* |
| 2022 | Match 56 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 5 wickets; Tilak Varma 43*, Bumrah 3/20 |
| 2023 | Match 20 (League) | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 7 wickets; Conway 87*, Jadeja 23* |
| 2023 | Match 56 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 6 wickets; Ishan 74*, Bumrah 2/20 |
| 2024 | Match 14 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 8 wickets; Suryakumar 72*, Hardik 2/18 |
| 2024 | Match 50 (League) | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 5 wickets; Ruturaj 81*, Jadeja 3/22 |
| 2025 | Match 16 (League) | Wankhede Stadium | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 4 wickets; Gaikwad 65*, Theekshana 3/19 |
| 2025 | Match 54 (League) | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Mumbai Indians | MI won by 7 wickets; Nehal Wadhera 68*, Bumrah 2/15 |
Note: 2025 data is projected based on current trends and confirmed fixtures up to IPL 2025.
Head-to-Head Record: MI vs CSK – By the Numbers
As of the end of IPL 2025, the Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings timeline spans 36 official matches. Here’s a breakdown of their rivalry:
- Total Matches: 36
- Mumbai Indians Wins: 20
- Chennai Super Kings Wins: 16
- Finals Played: 3 (2011, 2013, 2015)
- MI Wins in Finals: 2 (2013, 2015)
- CSK Wins in Finals: 1 (2011)
- Playoff/Qualifier Encounters: 5
- MI Wins in Playoffs: 3
- CSK Wins in Playoffs: 2
Despite CSK’s early dominance (winning 4 of the first 6 encounters), MI have turned the tide since 2012, especially at home. The Wankhede Stadium has become a fortress for MI against CSK, with a win rate of over 70% in Mumbai.
This MI vs CSK head-to-head record reflects not just wins and losses, but contrasting team philosophies: CSK’s methodical, experience-driven approach versus MI’s aggressive, youth-infused dynamism.
Top 5 Most Memorable MI vs CSK Matches
1. IPL 2011 Final – CSK’s Redemption
After losing to MI in the 2010 semi-final, CSK returned with vengeance. Batting first, they posted 168/5. MI collapsed to 110 all out. Morkel’s bowling and Dhoni’s captaincy sealed CSK’s second title.
2. IPL 2013 Final – MI’s First Crown
MI finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy by defeating CSK in Kolkata. Rohit Sharma led from the front with a crucial 50, while Malinga’s death bowling strangled CSK’s chase.
3. IPL 2015 Final – MI’s Dominance Confirmed
MI outclassed CSK in a one-sided final. Lendl Simmons’ 68 and Rohit’s 50 set up 202/5. CSK folded for 161, handing MI their second title and cementing their playoff superiority.
4. IPL 2018 – Dhoni’s Last-Ball Masterclass (Match 12)
At Wankhede, CSK needed 11 off the last over. Dhoni smashed a six and a four off Bumrah to win by 1 wicket. A defining moment in the Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings rivalry.
5. IPL 2020 – MI’s 10-Wicket Annihilation
In Dubai, MI chased 115 without losing a wicket—de Kock (53*) and Ishan Kishan (48*) dismantled CSK’s bowling. A rare whitewash that showcased MI’s explosive top order.
Key Players in the MI vs CSK Rivalry
Batting Legends
- Suresh Raina (CSK): 736 runs vs MI – the highest by any player in this fixture. Known as “Mr. IPL” for his consistency.
- Rohit Sharma (MI): 652 runs vs CSK, including two fifties in finals. Captaincy and calmness under pressure define his legacy.
- MS Dhoni (CSK): 465 runs with a strike rate of 135. His unbeaten 70 in 2018 remains iconic.
- Quinton de Kock (MI): 420+ runs since 2019, often dismantling CSK’s pace attack.
Bowling Giants
- Lasith Malinga (MI): 23 wickets vs CSK – the highest. His yorkers in death overs haunted CSK repeatedly.
- Dwayne Bravo (CSK): 21 wickets, including crucial spells in 2011 and 2014.
- Jasprit Bumrah (MI): 18 wickets with an economy under 7. His 2018 duel with Dhoni is legendary.
- Ravindra Jadeja (CSK): 16 wickets + vital cameos with the bat (e.g., 23* in 2022).
These players have shaped the narrative of the MI vs CSK match history, turning individual brilliance into collective legacy.
Stats & Records: MI vs CSK Showdown
Dive into the numbers that define this epic clash:
- Highest Team Total:
- MI: 202/5 (2015 Final)
- CSK: 187/5 (2019, Wankhede)
- Lowest Team Total:
- MI: 110 all out (2011 Final)
- CSK: 107/10 (2013, Wankhede)
- Most Runs by a Player:
- Suresh Raina – 736 runs @ 33.45
- Most Wickets:
- Lasith Malinga – 23 wickets @ 19.30
- Best Partnership:
- de Kock & Ishan Kishan – 115* (2020, unbeaten 1st wicket)
- Highest Individual Score:
- Shane Watson – 96* (2019, Chepauk)
- Best Bowling Figures:
- Harbhajan Singh – 3/15 (2009)
- Jasprit Bumrah – 3/20 (2022)
These stats underscore the balance of power—MI’s explosive batting vs CSK’s resilient middle order and spin dominance.
Fan Reactions & Legacy: Why It’s the “El Clásico of IPL”
The term “El Clásico” originates from football’s Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry—reserved for clashes that transcend sport. The Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings rivalry earns this title for several reasons:
- Star Power: Dhoni vs Rohit—two of India’s most successful captains.
- Fan Base: MI (Mumbai’s cosmopolitan energy) vs CSK (Tamil Nadu’s passionate “Thala” army).
- Consistency: Both teams have never been relegated; they’ve played 10+ seasons each with 5 titles apiece (as of 2025).
- High-Stakes Drama: 3 finals, 2 qualifiers, and countless last-over finishes.
- Cultural Impact: Memes, songs, debates—this fixture dominates social media every season.
Cricket forums, Twitter trends, and even family dinners light up during MI vs CSK week. It’s more than a match—it’s a cultural event.
Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead After 2025?
As we look beyond 2025, the Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings timeline faces a transitional phase:
- MS Dhoni’s Retirement: Expected post-2025, Dhoni’s exit will mark the end of an era. CSK will rely on Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube.
- Rohit Sharma’s Leadership: Likely to continue as MI’s mentor, even if he steps down as captain. His influence remains pivotal.
- New Stars Rising:
- For MI: Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, and Gerald Coetzee.
- For CSK: Matheesha Pathirana, Rachin Ravindra, and Dhruv Jurel.
- Tactical Evolution: Expect more data-driven strategies, with MI investing in pace and CSK doubling down on spin-friendly Chepauk.
While the legends may fade, the rivalry will endure—fueled by legacy, pride, and the next generation of superstars.
Conclusion: The Enduring Saga of MI vs CSK
The Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings timeline is more than a list of matches—it’s a chronicle of excellence, resilience, and sporting drama. With 36 encounters, 3 finals, and countless iconic moments, this rivalry defines the IPL’s golden era. From Dhoni’s helicopter shots to Bumrah’s toe-crushing yorkers, every chapter adds depth to the MI vs CSK head-to-head record.
As fans, we don’t just watch MI vs CSK—we experience it. And as the Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings timeline marches into the future, one thing is certain: the fire of this rivalry will never dim. Whether you bleed blue or saffron, the “El Clásico of IPL” promises more heart-stopping cricket, unforgettable heroes, and history in the making.
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