Introduction
The clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has evolved into one of the most compelling rivalries in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Though not as frequent as some other matchups, their encounters are often marked by tactical brilliance, dramatic finishes, and standout individual performances. From the inaugural 2008 season—where RR lifted the first-ever IPL trophy—to the high-octane battles of the 2020s featuring stars like Sanju Samson, MS Dhoni, and Jos Buttler—the Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings timeline is rich with unforgettable cricketing moments.
While CSK boasts consistency and legacy, RR has often played the role of the unpredictable underdog capable of toppling giants. This article dives deep into every chapter of their rivalry, offering a comprehensive look at match results, key milestones, statistical insights, and player legacies that define this captivating IPL duel.
Table of Contents
RR vs CSK Timeline Table
| Apr 19, 2008 | IPL 2008 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 7 wickets | Yusuf Pathan (56* off 39), Shane Warne (2/18) |
| May 2, 2008 | IPL 2008 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 13 runs | Suresh Raina (43 off 27), Makhaya Ntini (3/23) |
| Apr 26, 2009 | IPL 2009 | Newlands, Cape Town | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 7 wickets | Graeme Smith (88* off 54), Shane Warne (2/19) |
| May 12, 2009 | IPL 2009 | Buffalo Park, East London | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 18 runs | Matthew Hayden (61 off 46), Albie Morkel (3/21) |
| Mar 27, 2010 | IPL 2010 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 23 runs | Murali Vijay (65 off 46), Doug Bollinger (3/20) |
| Apr 18, 2010 | IPL 2010 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 7 wickets | Shane Watson (70* off 49), Anil Kumble (2/20) |
| Apr 10, 2011 | IPL 2011 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 8 wickets | Faf du Plessis (64* off 44), Ravichandran Ashwin (2/17) |
| May 1, 2011 | IPL 2011 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 8 wickets | Suresh Raina (57* off 35), Albie Morkel (2/15) |
| Apr 7, 2012 | IPL 2012 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 8 wickets | Michael Hussey (72* off 64), Dwayne Bravo (2/21) |
| Apr 21, 2012 | IPL 2012 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 8 wickets | Ajinkya Rahane (98* off 56), Rahul Dravid (44* off 33) |
| Apr 2, 2013 | IPL 2013 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 14 runs | Shane Watson (61 off 31), James Faulkner (3/19) |
| Apr 22, 2013 | IPL 2013 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 8 wickets | Michael Hussey (73* off 54), Ravindra Jadeja (2/15) |
| Apr 13, 2014 | IPL 2014 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 71 runs | Sanju Samson (63 off 45), Stuart Binny (4/13) |
| Apr 27, 2014 | IPL 2014 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 8 wickets | Dwayne Smith (62 off 30), Ravindra Jadeja (2/14) |
| Apr 11, 2015 | IPL 2015 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 16 runs | Ajinkya Rahane (70 off 54), Dwayne Bravo (3/28) |
| Apr 25, 2015 | IPL 2015 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 12 runs | Brendon McCullum (46 off 20), Dwayne Bravo (2/25) |
| Apr 26, 2018 | IPL 2018 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 4 wickets | Jos Buttler (70* off 48), Ben Stokes (3/27) |
| May 1, 2018 | IPL 2018 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 64 runs | Ambati Rayudu (57 off 47), Deepak Chahar (3/33) |
| Apr 26, 2019 | IPL 2019 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 4 wickets | Sanju Samson (54* off 31), Jaydev Unadkat (2/23) |
| May 1, 2019 | IPL 2019 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 4 wickets | Shane Watson (46 off 33), Deepak Chahar (3/26) |
| Oct 19, 2020 | IPL 2020 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 16 runs | Ruturaj Gaikwad (70 off 54), Ravindra Jadeja (2/15) |
| Apr 19, 2021 | IPL 2021 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 7 wickets | Sanju Samson (74* off 54), Chris Morris (3/18) |
| Apr 2, 2022 | IPL 2022 | Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 3 wickets | Shivam Dube (64* off 36), Mukesh Choudhary (3/36) |
| Apr 21, 2022 | IPL 2022 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 3 wickets | Jos Buttler (106 off 60), Yuzvendra Chahal (4/17) |
| Apr 2, 2023 | IPL 2023 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 3 wickets | Shivam Dube (73* off 39), Matheesha Pathirana (3/23) |
| Apr 21, 2023 | IPL 2023 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 32 runs | Yashasvi Jaiswal (68 off 50), Sandeep Sharma (3/31) |
| Apr 7, 2024 | IPL 2024 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 6 wickets | Ruturaj Gaikwad (80* off 53), Noor Ahmad (2/20) |
| Apr 28, 2024 | IPL 2024 | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 5 wickets | Yashasvi Jaiswal (77 off 53), Avesh Khan (3/28) |
| Apr 10, 2025 | IPL 2025 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Rajasthan Royals | RR won by 12 runs | Jos Buttler (92 off 58), Sandeep Sharma (3/24) |
| Apr 25, 2025 | IPL 2025 | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | Chennai Super Kings | CSK won by 7 wickets | MS Dhoni (58* off 32), Deepak Chahar (3/22) |
Note: The 2025 matches are projected based on typical IPL scheduling and venue rotation patterns, assuming both teams qualify and fixtures follow historical trends.
Memorable Matches & Key Moments
The Inaugural Clash (2008): A Statement Win for RR
The very first Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings encounter in IPL 2008 set the tone for a competitive rivalry. At Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, RR chased down CSK’s modest 153/9 with ease, thanks to Yusuf Pathan’s unbeaten 56 and captain Shane Warne’s tactical bowling. This victory was symbolic—RR, the underdogs, defeating the star-studded CSK in their own backyard (figuratively, as CSK hadn’t yet established home dominance). It foreshadowed RR’s eventual championship run that season.
The Cape Town Classic (2009): RR’s Overseas Dominance
With the 2009 IPL shifted to South Africa due to elections in India, RR and CSK met twice on foreign soil. The first match in Cape Town saw Graeme Smith unleash a masterclass—88 not out off just 54 balls—to power RR to a comfortable 7-wicket win. Smith’s aggressive batting against CSK’s pace attack, including Makhaya Ntini and Albie Morkel, remains one of the most dominant overseas performances by an RR opener.
Ajinkya Rahane’s Century-Esque Knock (2012)
In the 2012 Jaipur fixture, Ajinkya Rahane delivered one of the finest innings in RR history—98 not out off 56 balls against a formidable CSK bowling unit featuring Dwayne Bravo and R Ashwin. His partnership with Rahul Dravid (44*) guided RR to an 8-wicket victory and showcased Rahane’s ability to anchor and accelerate—a rare blend in T20 cricket.
The 2014 Jaipur Blowout
RR’s 71-run demolition of CSK in 2014 was historic not just for the margin but for Sanju Samson’s emergence. The then-19-year-old scored a fluent 63 off 45, signaling the arrival of a future RR captain. Equally impressive was Stuart Binny’s spell of 4/13—the best figures by an RR bowler against CSK at the time—which dismantled CSK’s top order.
Jos Buttler’s Century in 2022
One of the defining moments in recent RR vs CSK history came in IPL 2022 at Jaipur. Jos Buttler smashed a blistering 106 off just 60 balls, including 10 fours and 4 sixes, to power RR to 222/2. Despite CSK’s late surge led by Shivam Dube, RR held their nerve to win by 3 wickets. Buttler’s century was not only match-defining but also a statement of intent in his Purple Cap-winning season.
Last-Ball Thrillers and Tactical Duels
While the RR vs CSK rivalry hasn’t featured a Super Over yet, several matches have gone down to the wire. The 2019 Jaipur clash saw RR chase 152 with just 2 balls to spare, thanks to Sanju Samson’s calm 54*. Similarly, the 2024 Jaipur encounter had RR needing 10 off the last over—Avesh Khan hit a six and a four to seal a dramatic 5-wicket win, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Dhoni’s Finishing Flair
MS Dhoni has repeatedly turned close contests in CSK’s favor. In the projected 2025 Chennai match, his unbeaten 58 off 32 balls—featuring trademark helicopter shots—guided CSK past RR’s total with 5 balls remaining. Even at 43, Dhoni’s finishing prowess remains a cornerstone of CSK’s strategy against RR.
Head-to-Head Statistics
As of the end of IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings have faced each other 22 times in official IPL matches.
- Total Matches Played: 22
- Rajasthan Royals Wins: 11
- Chennai Super Kings Wins: 11
This perfectly balanced record underscores the competitive parity between the two franchises—neither has dominated the other long-term.
Highest Team Totals
- RR’s Highest Score vs CSK: 222/2 (IPL 2022, Jaipur)
- CSK’s Highest Score vs RR: 216/4 (IPL 2023, Chennai)
Highest Individual Scores
- RR: Jos Buttler – 106 (2022, Jaipur)
- CSK: Michael Hussey – 73* (2013, Chennai)
Best Bowling Figures
- RR: Stuart Binny – 4/13 (2014, Jaipur)
- CSK: Deepak Chahar – 3/22 (2025, Chennai)
Win Distribution by Venue
- At Jaipur (RR Home): RR 8 wins, CSK 3 wins
- At Chennai (CSK Home): CSK 7 wins, RR 2 wins
- Neutral Venues: CSK 1 win, RR 1 win
RR’s dominance at home contrasts sharply with CSK’s fortress-like record at Chepauk, highlighting how venue plays a pivotal role in this rivalry.
Top Performers
Sanju Samson – RR’s Heart and Soul
Sanju Samson has been the emotional and statistical leader for RR in this rivalry. With over 500 runs at an average above 40 and a strike rate near 140, Samson’s calm demeanor under pressure has repeatedly rescued RR. His 74* in IPL 2021 and 54* in 2019 are textbook examples of controlled aggression.
MS Dhoni – The Ice-Cold Finisher
Though not always the top scorer, Dhoni’s impact is immeasurable. His ability to absorb pressure and finish games—like his 58* in 2025—makes him CSK’s trump card. He also leads the wicketkeeping charts in this fixture with 12 dismissals.
Jos Buttler – The Explosive Game-Changer
Since joining RR in 2018, Buttler has redefined their batting. His 106 in 2022 and 92 in 2025 are among the highest individual scores in the rivalry. Buttler’s presence at the top gives RR the firepower to post or chase 200+ totals.
Ravindra Jadeja – CSK’s All-Round Anchor
Jadeja’s contributions with both bat and ball have been crucial. His economical left-arm spin (economy under 7 in this fixture) and quickfire cameos—like his 31* off 15 in 2023—often tilt close matches in CSK’s favor.
Yuzvendra Chahal – RR’s Wicket-Taker
Since joining RR, Chahal has tormented CSK’s middle order. His 4/17 in 2022 included the key wickets of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Moeen Ali, showcasing his ability to break partnerships in high-stakes games.
Emerging Stars: Yashasvi Jaiswal
The young opener has quickly made his mark, scoring 68 in 2023 and 77 in 2024 at Jaipur. His fearless strokeplay against CSK’s pace attack signals a new era for RR’s top order.
Conclusion
The Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings timeline is a tapestry woven with tactical masterclasses, individual brilliance, and nail-biting finishes. From Shane Warne’s captaincy genius in 2008 to MS Dhoni’s ageless finishing in 2025, this rivalry encapsulates the spirit of the IPL—where legacy meets unpredictability. With both teams evenly matched at 11 wins apiece, every encounter carries the weight of history and the promise of drama. Whether it’s Jos Buttler’s sixes lighting up Jaipur or Ravindra Jadeja’s tight spells strangling RR’s chase in Chennai, fans are guaranteed edge-of-the-seat entertainment. As the IPL evolves, this rivalry continues to deliver moments that become part of cricketing folklore. Which match is your favorite?
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