Cricket fans call the MI vs CSK clash ‘El Clásico’ of the IPL. This name fits perfectly. Both franchises hold five IPL trophies each. They have built strong teams over the years and created lasting legacies.
Big names like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma add star power to these games. International players fill both rosters. When these teams play, millions of viewers tune in. The atmosphere becomes electric.
This article covers everything about their rivalry. You will find match stats, venue records, top performers, and classic encounters that shaped IPL history.
Star Performers in This Rivalry
Here are the Star Performers:
Batters Who Scored the Most Runs
These players have dominated with the bat in MI vs CSK games:
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | MI | 913 |
| Suresh Raina | CSK | 736 |
| MS Dhoni | CSK | 736 |
Bowlers Who Took the Most Wickets
These bowlers have troubled batters the most in this rivalry:
| Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | MI | 37 |
| Dwayne Bravo | CSK/MI | 37 |
| Harbhajan Singh | MI/CSK | 26 |
Players Who Hit Centuries
Only two batters have scored hundreds in MI vs CSK matches. Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 114 not out for MI in 2008. Rohit Sharma followed with 105 not out for MI in 2012. This tells us bowlers often control these high-stakes games.
Complete Match Statistics
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have played 39 matches till IPL 2025. MI holds a slight lead with 21 victories. CSK trails with 18 wins. These close numbers show how evenly matched both teams are.
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | 21 |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 18 |
| Total Matches Played | 39 |
Some interesting records stand out. MI posted 219 runs in one match, their highest against CSK. CSK’s lowest score against MI reads just 79 runs. But CSK holds the record for the biggest successful run chase. They once hunted down 208 runs to win.
How They Perform at Different Venues
Here are Info of Performance according to the venue:
Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai
MI enjoys playing at their home ground. They have won 7 of 12 games against CSK here.
The pitch helps batters, so fans often watch exciting high-scoring contests at this venue.
Chepauk Stadium in Chennai
MI shows no fear when playing in Chennai. They have beaten CSK five times at Chepauk.
CSK has won only four times against MI at their own ground. MI is the only team to have broken CSK’s home stronghold multiple times.
Games at Other Grounds
When both teams play at neutral venues like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or Eden Gardens, the competition becomes tighter. CSK leads slightly with 9 wins compared to MI’s 8. The COVID-era seasons saw many thrilling matches at these grounds.
| Venue | MI Wins | CSK Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Wankhede Stadium | 7 | 5 |
| Chepauk, Chennai | 5 | 4 |
| Neutral Venues | 8 | 9 |
Breakdown by Match Type
Here is how both teams compare across different stages of the tournament:
| Match Type | MI Wins | CSK Wins | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| League Matches | 17 | 14 | MI performs better in regular games |
| Playoff Games | 4 | 4 | Both teams match each other in the knockouts |
| IPL Finals | 3 | 1 | MI dominates in title matches |
| All Matches Combined | 21 | 18 | MI leads the overall count |
Their Finals Battles
No other IPL teams have met in four finals. CSK struck first in 2010. They beat MI by 22 runs and lifted their maiden IPL trophy. But MI bounced back strongly.
MI won the 2013 final by 23 runs at Eden Gardens. They repeated their success in 2015 with a 41-run victory at the same venue. The 2019 final became legendary. MI won by just 1 run in a nail-biting finish at Hyderabad. MI now leads 3-1 in finals against CSK.
| Year | Winner | Victory Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | CSK | 22 runs | DY Patil Stadium |
| 2013 | MI | 23 runs | Eden Gardens |
| 2015 | MI | 41 runs | Eden Gardens |
| 2019 | MI | 1 run | Hyderabad |
The 2019 Final: A Match for the Ages
Fans still remember every moment of this game. CSK chased 150 runs. They needed 9 runs in the final over. MS Dhoni stood at the crease. Everyone expected him to pull off something special.
Lasith Malinga bowled the last over. He delivered a perfect yorker to Shardul Thakur. The ball hit the stumps. MI won by just 1 run. This remains one of the closest finishes in IPL history. Moments like this show why this rivalry matters so much.
Biggest Wins from Both Sides
Both teams have recorded some dominant victories against each other:
| Team | Victory Margin | Date | Venue | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI | 60 runs | May 5, 2013 | Wankhede Stadium | Biggest MI win by runs |
| MI | 46 runs | Apr 26, 2019 | MA Chidambaram | Rare big win in Chennai |
| MI | 10 wickets | Oct 23, 2020 | Sharjah | MI lost zero wickets |
| CSK | 48 runs | May 21, 2013 | Delhi | Qualifier wins to reach the final |
| CSK | 38 runs | May 23, 2012 | Bangalore | Knocked MI out of the playoffs |
| CSK | 24 runs | Apr 6, 2010 | Chennai | Showed home strength early |
Recent Results Between Both Teams
CSK has turned the tables lately. They won five of the last six matches against MI. This marks a big shift in the rivalry. Here are the recent games:
| Date | Venue | Winner | Margin | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 20, 2025 | Mumbai | MI | 9 wickets | IPL 2025 |
| Mar 23, 2025 | Chennai | CSK | 4 wickets | IPL 2025 |
| Apr 14, 2024 | Mumbai | CSK | 20 runs | IPL 2024 |
| May 6, 2023 | Chennai | CSK | 6 wickets | IPL 2023 |
| Apr 8, 2023 | Mumbai | CSK | 7 wickets | IPL 2023 |
| May 12, 2022 | Mumbai | MI | 5 wickets | IPL 2022 |
CSK won four straight games from 2023 to early 2025. MI finally broke this streak with a strong 9-wicket win in April 2025.
What the Numbers Tell Us
MI holds the overall advantage with 21 wins against 18. A decade ago, MI seemed to own this rivalry. They beat CSK in three IPL finals and knocked them out in several playoffs. But recent years tell a different story. CSK has won 5 of the last 6 meetings.
This back-and-forth keeps fans excited. Nobody can predict the winner with certainty. Both teams keep evolving. They bring in new players and change strategies. This constant change makes every MI vs CSK game worth watching.
Quick Summary of This Rivalry
Here is the Quick Summary:
| Category | Mumbai Indians | Chennai Super Kings | Who Leads? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Wins | 21 | 18 | MI leads (39 matches) |
| Finals Record | 3 titles vs CSK | 1 title vs MI | MI leads 3-1 |
| Last 6 Matches | 1 win | 5 wins | CSK leads |
| Home Record | 7-5 at Wankhede | 4-5 at Chepauk | MI leads at both |
| Total IPL Trophies | 5 | 5 | Tied |
MI leads in most categories, especially in finals. But CSK’s recent form makes every upcoming match unpredictable. This uncertainty keeps the rivalry fresh and exciting for fans.
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Conclusion: Rivalry Still Feels Very Close as Both Teams are Trying to Give Their Best Performances
The MI vs CSK rivalry forms the heart of IPL cricket. These teams have faced each other 39 times. They have met in four finals. Every match carries its own energy and drama.
Both franchises keep refreshing their squads with new talent. Fans eagerly wait for each encounter. This rivalry shows no signs of slowing down. It continues to produce memorable cricket moments season after season.
