The Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders share one of the fiercest rivalries in the Indian Premier League. Every time these two sides meet, the match feels like an occasion. From close finishes to outright domination, CSK vs KKR games have produced some of the most thrilling moments in IPL history.
Chennai Super Kings have held the upper hand in this rivalry for a long time. With five IPL trophies in their cabinet, CSK have built a winning culture that shows up in their record against KKR. But Kolkata Knight Riders are a side with three titles of their own and have shown time and again that they can beat CSK on any given day.
In this article, we break down the complete head-to-head record between these two teams, review the results season by season, highlight the biggest victories, and spotlight the players who have shaped this rivalry.
CSK vs KKR: Total Head-to-Head Results
Across all IPL seasons up to 2025, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have played 32 matches against each other. CSK holds a comfortable lead, winning 20 of those games. KKR has managed 11 victories, and one match ended without a result.
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 20 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 11 |
| Total Matches | 32 |
CSK’s highest total in this rivalry stands at 235, while KKR’s best is 202. On the flip side, CSK’s lowest score is 103, and KKR’s lowest is 107. Both teams can post huge totals and crumble under pressure, making every encounter between them unpredictable.
| Category | CSK | KKR |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 32 | 32 |
| Won | 20 | 11 |
| Lost | 11 | 20 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
| Highest Score | 235 | 202 |
| Lowest Score | 103 | 107 |
CSK vs KKR in All Seasons
Here is a full breakdown of the results between CSK and KKR in every IPL season:
| Season | Result |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wickets | Chennai Super Kings won by 2 wickets |
| 2024 | Chennai Super Kings won by 7 wickets |
| 2023 | Chennai Super Kings won by 49 runs | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 6 wickets |
| 2022 | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 6 wickets |
| 2021 | Chennai Super Kings won by 18 runs | Chennai Super Kings won by 2 wickets | Chennai Super Kings won by 27 runs |
| 2020 | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 10 runs | Chennai Super Kings won by 6 wickets |
| 2019 | Chennai Super Kings won by 7 wickets | Chennai Super Kings won by 5 wickets |
| 2018 | Chennai Super Kings won by 5 wickets | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 6 wickets |
| 2015 | Chennai Super Kings won by 2 runs | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 7 wickets |
| 2014 | Chennai Super Kings won by 34 runs | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 8 wickets |
| 2013 | Chennai Super Kings won by 4 wickets | Chennai Super Kings won by 14 runs |
| 2012 | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 5 wickets | Chennai Super Kings won by 5 wickets | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 5 wickets |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings won by 2 runs | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 10 runs |
| 2010 | Chennai Super Kings won by 55 runs | Chennai Super Kings won by 9 wickets |
| 2009 | Kolkata Knight Riders won by 7 wickets | Match abandoned without a ball being bowled |
| 2008 | Chennai Super Kings won by 9 wickets | Chennai Super Kings won by 3 runs |
Note: CSK was suspended from the IPL during the 2016 and 2017 seasons due to the 2013 betting case. There were no matches between the two sides during that period.
Biggest Wins And Memorable Matches
This rivalry has seen some truly lopsided results from both teams. Here are the standout victories and unforgettable clashes:
Chennai Super Kings’ Biggest Wins
CSK’s most emphatic victory came in 2010, when they crushed KKR by 55 runs. That same year, they also won by 9 wickets with 39 balls to spare, which remains one of their most comfortable chases against KKR. In 2023, CSK hammered KKR by 49 runs in Chennai, with their bowlers running through the KKR lineup. Over the years, bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, and Deepak Chahar have troubled KKR’s batting on multiple occasions.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Biggest Wins
KKR’s most dominant result against CSK came in IPL 2025, when they chased down a target of just 104 in only 10.1 overs, winning by 8 wickets with 59 balls still remaining. It was CSK’s heaviest defeat in terms of balls remaining in IPL history. In 2009, KKR also had a strong run against CSK, winning their only completed game that season by 7 wickets. The 2020 encounter saw KKR beat CSK by 10 runs in Abu Dhabi with a spirited bowling display.
IPL Finals: CSK vs KKR on the Biggest Stage
What makes this rivalry even more special is that these two teams have met in two IPL finals. In 2012, KKR chased down CSK’s total of 190 at Chepauk, with Manvinder Bisla scoring a stunning 89 off 48 balls to seal a 5-wicket win and KKR’s maiden IPL title.
The tables turned in 2021, when CSK beat KKR by 27 runs in the final at Dubai. Faf du Plessis scored 86 to power CSK to 192, and Shardul Thakur picked up 3 wickets as KKR’s batting collapsed from 91/0 to 165/9. CSK lifted their fourth IPL trophy that night.
| Year | Match Type | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | IPL Final, Chennai | Kolkata Knight Riders | 5 wickets |
| 2021 | IPL Final, Dubai | Chennai Super Kings | 27 runs |
Recent Form: CSK vs KKR
Over the last few seasons, the two teams have traded wins, making this rivalry tighter than the overall numbers suggest. Here is a look at the most recent meetings between CSK and KKR:
| Season | Venue | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Kolkata (Eden Gardens) | Chennai Super Kings | 2 wickets |
| 2025 | Chennai (Chepauk) | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 wickets |
| 2024 | Chennai (Chepauk) | Chennai Super Kings | 7 wickets |
| 2023 | Kolkata (Eden Gardens) | Kolkata Knight Riders | 6 wickets |
| 2023 | Chennai (Chepauk) | Chennai Super Kings | 49 runs |
| 2022 | Pune (DY Patil) | Kolkata Knight Riders | 6 wickets |
| 2021 | Dubai | Chennai Super Kings | 27 runs |
| 2021 | Abu Dhabi | Chennai Super Kings | 2 wickets |
CSK had a dominant run in 2021, sweeping all three games against KKR, including the IPL final. KKR fought back in 2022, winning their only meeting that season. CSK regained control in 2023 and 2024. In 2025, the results split evenly. KKR handed CSK a humbling 8-wicket defeat in Chennai, but CSK got their revenge in Kolkata, winning by 2 wickets in a tense chase where MS Dhoni hit a six off the first ball of the final over to guide his team home.
Key Players In CSK vs KKR Matches
Here are the players who have left their mark on the CSK vs KKR rivalry:
Top Run-Scorers
Suresh Raina has been the highest run-scorer in CSK vs KKR games across the history of the IPL. His ability to shift gears in the middle overs and play match-winning knocks defined many CSK victories in this matchup. MS Dhoni is the next on the list, with his calm finishing ability proving decisive in several tight games. For KKR, Gautam Gambhir was the standout in the early years, while Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer have stepped up in more recent seasons.
Top Wicket-Takers
Sunil Narine holds the record for the most wickets in CSK vs KKR matches with 23 scalps. His mystery spin and ability to control the flow of runs in the middle overs make him a constant threat to CSK batters. On the CSK side, Ravindra Jadeja leads the way with 20 wickets against KKR. His tight left-arm spin, combined with sharp fielding has been a thorn in KKR’s side for years. R. Ashwin also features high on the list with his wickets in the earlier seasons.
Standout Performances
One of the most iconic individual efforts in this rivalry belongs to Manvinder Bisla, who scored 89 off 48 balls in the 2012 IPL final, helping KKR win their first title. In the 2021 final, Faf du Plessis played a masterful 86 to lead CSK to their fourth crown. In IPL 2025, Sunil Narine smashed 44 off just 18 balls while also picking up 3 wickets to single-handedly destroy CSK in Chennai.
Key Takeaways
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Head-to-Head | CSK leads 20-11 (32 matches, 1 No Result) |
| IPL Finals Between Them | 2 (2012 Final – KKR won by 5 wickets; 2021 Final – CSK won by 27 runs) |
| Biggest Win by CSK | 55 runs (IPL 2010) |
| Biggest Win by KKR | 8 wickets with 59 balls remaining (IPL 2025) |
| Best Season for CSK vs KKR | 2021 (CSK won all 3 meetings, including the Final) |
| Best Season for KKR vs CSK | 2009 (KKR won the only completed match) |
| IPL Titles (Overall) | CSK: 5 | KKR: 3 |
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Conclusion: CSK Leads The Rivalry With 20 Wins Against KKR
Over 32 matches, Chennai Super Kings have established a clear lead over Kolkata Knight Riders. They lead 20-11 in the overall record and have won one of the two IPL finals played between these sides. CSK’s consistency under MS Dhoni’s leadership, their strong squad depth, and their ability to perform in crunch situations have made them the stronger team in this matchup.
But the Kolkata Knight Riders are a franchise that refuses to stay down. Their 2012 final win, their 2024 title triumph, and their aggressive brand of cricket mean they always pose a challenge. Players like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh give KKR the firepower to beat any team on their day.
Whenever CSK and KKR face off, fans know they will get an entertaining game. CSK may hold the lead in the head-to-head, but this rivalry has plenty more chapters left to write.
