If you love cricket, you know how intense it gets when Chennai Super Kings face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. The rivalry between these two southern giants always draws massive crowds. Fans from both cities fill the stadiums, cheering for every boundary and wicket.
Chennai Super Kings have dominated this rivalry. With five IPL trophies, MS Dhoni’s team knows how to win the big moments. Still, you can never count out RCB. With Virat Kohli leading the charge, they have pulled off stunning victories and upset CSK many times. When RCB finally won their first IPL title in 2025, it added a new chapter to this classic matchup.
Let’s break down their head-to-head record, check venue stats, relive the most memorable matches, and look at the players who shaped this rivalry.
CSK vs RCB: Total Head-to-Head Results
By IPL 2025, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have played each other 35 times. CSK leads with 21 wins, while RCB has won 13 matches. One game ended without a result.
CSK’s highest score in these games is 226. RCB’s best is 218. The lowest scores tell an interesting story, too. RCB’s lowest against CSK is 70, while CSK’s worst is 82. When these teams meet, anything can happen.
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 21 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 13 |
| No Result | 1 |
| Total Matches | 35 |
Format-Wise Records
Here are the key records of CSK vs RCB in different formats:
| Category | Matches | CSK Wins | RCB Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL League Stage | 33 | 20 | 12 | 1 |
| IPL Playoffs | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Overall Total | 35 | 21 | 13 | 1 |
Performance Across Different Venues
Here is the Performance across different Venues:
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Chepauk is a fortress for Chennai Super Kings. Out of 10 matches played here, CSK has won 8. RCB managed just 2 victories. The spin-friendly pitch and passionate home crowd make it extremely tough for visiting teams.
In March 2025, RCB finally broke a 17-year losing streak at this venue. They beat CSK by 50 runs, ending an eight-match losing run at Chepauk. Before that, RCB’s only win here came way back in 2008.
| Date | Season | Winner | Margin | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 2025 | IPL 2025 | RCB | 50 runs | Historic win |
| Apr 17, 2024 | IPL 2024 | CSK | 6 wickets | Home win |
| Apr 12, 2023 | IPL 2023 | CSK | 8 runs | Thriller |
| Apr 25, 2018 | IPL 2018 | CSK | 5 wickets | Dhoni 70* |
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
The Chinnaswamy tells a different story. The short boundaries and flat pitch favor batters from both sides. In 12 matches played here, RCB has won 6 and CSK 5. One match had no result. This is the only venue where RCB has a slight edge over CSK.
In May 2025, RCB won a thriller by just 2 runs. Romario Shepherd’s explosive 53 off 14 balls helped RCB post 213. Despite brilliant knocks from Ayush Mhatre (94) and Ravindra Jadeja (77), CSK fell short. Yash Dayal held his nerve in the final over to seal the win.
| Date | Season | Winner | Margin | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 3, 2025 | IPL 2025 | RCB | 2 runs | Nail-biter |
| May 18, 2024 | IPL 2024 | RCB | 27 runs | Playoff decider |
| Apr 17, 2022 | IPL 2022 | CSK | 23 runs | Away win |
| Sep 24, 2021 | IPL 2021 | CSK | 6 wickets | Jadeja shines |
Neutral Venues
CSK has a strong record at neutral venues. In 14 matches played at venues like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Pune, and others, CSK has won 9 and RCB 5. The 2011 IPL final at Chepauk saw CSK beat RCB by 58 runs to defend their title.
Biggest Wins and Memorable Matches
Here are some of the most memorable matches in this rivalry:
| Team | Margin | Year | Venue | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSK | 92 runs | 2009 | Johannesburg | CSK’s biggest win |
| CSK | 69 runs | 2021 | Sharjah | Dominant display |
| CSK | 58 runs | 2011 | Chennai (Final) | Title defense |
| RCB | 50 runs | 2025 | Chennai | Broke 17-year jinx |
| RCB | 37 runs | 2020 | Dubai | Kohli masterclass |
| RCB | 36 runs | 2010 | Bengaluru | Home dominance |
Season-by-Season Results (2020-2025)
Recent seasons have seen more competitive matches between these teams:
| Year | Match 1 Result | Match 2 Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | RCB won by 50 runs (Chennai) | RCB won by 2 runs (Bengaluru) |
| 2024 | CSK won by 6 wickets (Chennai) | RCB won by 27 runs (Bengaluru) |
| 2023 | CSK won by 8 runs (Chennai) | – |
| 2022 | CSK won by 23 runs (Pune) | RCB won by 13 runs (Bengaluru) |
| 2021 | CSK won by 69 runs (Sharjah) | CSK won by 6 wickets (Dubai) |
| 2020 | RCB won by 37 runs (Dubai) | CSK won by 8 wickets (Dubai) |
Key Players from Both Teams
Here is the Information about Key Players:
Top Run-Scorers in CSK vs RCB Matches
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 1,067 |
| MS Dhoni | CSK | 807 |
| Suresh Raina | CSK | 710 |
| Faf du Plessis | RCB/CSK | 519 |
Top Wicket-Takers in CSK vs RCB Matches
| Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Ravindra Jadeja | CSK | 18 |
| Dwayne Bravo | CSK | 17 |
| Albie Morkel | CSK | 15 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | RCB | 14 |
Key Takeaways
| Category | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 35 Matches | CSK leads 21-13 |
| Last 5 Matches | Since 2023 | RCB leads 3-2 |
| At Chennai | 10 Matches | CSK leads 8-2 |
| At Bengaluru | 12 Matches | RCB leads 6-5 |
| Neutral Venues | 14 Matches | CSK leads 9-5 |
| IPL Titles | Trophy Count | CSK: 5, RCB: 1 |
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Conclusion: CSK Leads The Rivalry With 21 Wins
When Chennai faces Bengaluru, the atmosphere is electric. The yellow army and the RCB faithful bring unmatched passion to every game. MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, two legends of Indian cricket, have made this rivalry special for nearly two decades.
CSK has the upper hand with 21 wins from 35 matches. Their dominance at Chepauk (8 wins out of 10) shows why they are so tough to beat at home. But RCB’s recent form suggests the gap is closing. In the last five matches, RCB has won three times.
RCB’s 2025 IPL title win has changed the dynamics of this rivalry. They are no longer the team without a trophy. With young stars emerging on both sides and the legends still contributing, future clashes promise even more drama. This is one rivalry that keeps getting better every season.
