You know what’s fascinating about cricket? It’s not just about the runs or wickets—it’s about the stories, the emotions, and honestly, the heartbreaks. The Chennai Super Kings versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru rivalry represents exactly that. Since 2008, these two powerhouses have given us moments we’ll never forget, matches that kept us glued to our screens until the final ball.
Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have faced each other 34 times in the Indian Premier League, with CSK dominating the head-to-head record with 21 victories compared to RCB’s 12 wins, while one match ended without a result. This rivalry has produced some of the most thrilling encounters in IPL history, from last-ball finishes to record-breaking performances that’ve made millions of fans scream at their TV screens.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Overall Head-to-Head Statistics
When you look at the stats, it’s pretty clear who’s had the upper hand in this rivalry. CSK’s dominance isn’t just a coincidence—it’s about consistency, strategy, and that trademark “Thala” calm under pressure.
| Metrics | Chennai Super Kings | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 34 | 34 |
| Wins | 21 | 12 |
| Losses | 12 | 21 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
| Win Percentage | 63.64% | 35.29% |
| Highest Score | 226/6 | 218/5 |
| Biggest Victory | 92 runs | 37 runs |
CSK’s winning percentage of 63.64% speaks volumes about their ability to handle pressure situations. Under MS Dhoni’s leadership, they’ve built a reputation for finishing games that seemed impossible to win.
Where It All Began: The 2008 Season
The inaugural IPL season in 2008 set the stage for what would become one of cricket’s greatest rivalries. Their first encounter happened on April 28, 2008, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. CSK posted 178/5, and despite RCB’s best efforts, they fell short by 13 runs. That match established a pattern—CSK’s ability to defend totals and RCB’s never-say-die attitude.
They met again that season on May 21 in Chennai, and this time RCB turned the tables, winning by 14 runs. Even back then, you could see the competitive spirit between these franchises. CSK won the season with 1-1 against RCB, but the rivalry had officially begun.
The South African Chapter: 2009 Adventures
IPL 2009 moved to South Africa due to elections in India, and the change of venue didn’t dampen the intensity one bit. These teams clashed three times that season, and boy, did we witness some cricket!
The most memorable was CSK’s crushing 92-run victory in Port Elizabeth on April 20, 2009—still their biggest winning margin against RCB. CSK scored 179/5, and RCB crumbled to just 87/9. But RCB bounced back in the next two encounters, showing the resilience that’d become their trademark over the years.
Building the Legacy: 2010-2012
Between 2010 and 2012, the rivalry intensified as both teams established themselves as consistent performers. The 2012 match at Chepauk on April 12 was particularly special—CSK successfully chased down 209, with their batsmen displaying incredible hitting prowess. That match scored 208/5, thanks to brilliant performances from their top order.
Can’t forget the April 25, 2012 match at Bengaluru that ended without a result due to rain. Sometimes Mother Nature has her own plans!
The 2011 Final: A Night Chennai Owned Forever
Let me tell you about May 28, 2011—a date etched in every CSK fan’s memory. The IPL final at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium was supposed to be a closely fought contest. Instead, it turned into a masterclass.
RCB had topped the league stage with nine wins. CSK finished second with the same number of victories. Everyone expected a thriller, and honestly, it was—but only for CSK fans. Murali Vijay opened with a stunning 95 off just 52 balls, while Mike Hussey contributed a crucial 63. Their opening partnership essentially took the match away from RCB’s grasp.
CSK posted a mammoth 205/5, and RCB’s chase never really got going. They were restricted to 147/8, giving CSK a comprehensive 58-run victory. MS Dhoni lifted his second IPL trophy, and the Yellow Army celebrated like there was no tomorrow. That match perfectly captured what CSK’s about—big occasions, bigger performances.
The Wilderness Years and Comeback: 2016-2017
Here’s something interesting—CSK and RCB didn’t face each other in 2016 and 2017. Why? CSK was serving their two-year suspension from the IPL. The league felt different without the Yellow Brigade, didn’t it? RCB played on, but that familiar rivalry was missing. Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.
The Grand Return: 2018 Onwards
When CSK returned in 2018, they came back with a vengeance. Their first match against RCB that season, on April 22 at Bengaluru, was pure entertainment. RCB scored 207/5—a total that should’ve been defendable. But CSK chased it down with five wickets in hand, reminding everyone why they’re called the comeback kings.
The second match on May 5 in Pune saw CSK win by six wickets, continuing their dominance. It was like they’d never left.
The 2019 Thrillers
April 21, 2019, gave us one of the closest finishes in this rivalry’s history. Playing in Bengaluru, CSK scored 160/8. RCB needed 161 to win, and they got to 161/7, winning by just one run. That match had everything—tension, drama, and heartbreak for CSK fans. Sometimes matches are so close, you can’t even breathe properly.
Earlier that season, on March 23 in Chennai, we witnessed something quite unusual. RCB was bowled out for just 70 runs—their lowest total against CSK. The Yellow Army chased it down in 17.1 overs with seven wickets remaining. That match showed the massive gulf in performance that can exist between these teams on different days.
The 2020 Dubai Saga
The pandemic shifted IPL 2020 to UAE, but the rivalry traveled well. These teams met twice in Dubai, splitting the series 1-1. RCB’s 37-run victory on October 10 was their biggest winning margin against CSK in years. But CSK bounced back on October 25 with an eight-wicket win, proving they don’t stay down for long.
Recent Battles: 2021-2024
The matches from 2021 to 2024 have been something else. CSK won three matches in 2021 alone, including a memorable encounter in Sharjah where they chased down 157 with six wickets remaining. That’s the CSK we’ve come to expect—calm, composed, calculated.
The 2023 season gave us a high-scoring thriller at Bengaluru on April 17. Devon Conway smashed 83 for CSK as they posted 226/6—their highest score against RCB ever. RCB fought back brilliantly, reaching 218/8, but fell short by just eight runs. Faf du Plessis (playing for RCB against his former team) scored 62, but it wasn’t enough. Those are the matches that make you fall in love with T20 cricket.
The Latest Chapter: IPL 2025
The rivalry’s still going strong in 2025, and honestly, it’s getting more intense with each passing year. On March 28, 2025, RCB shocked everyone by defeating CSK at Chepauk—CSK’s fortress—by a massive 50 runs. Rajat Patidar’s quickfire 51 off 32 balls powered RCB to 196/7. CSK could only manage 146/8, suffering a rare home defeat.
But wait, there’s more! The teams met again on May 3, 2025, at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, and this one was even closer. The match went down to the wire with emotions running high. According to the latest reports, these 2025 encounters have added fresh chapters to this already legendary rivalry.
Iconic Individual Performances
Let’s talk about the players who’ve made this rivalry special. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 95 against RCB on April 12, 2022, in Mumbai was pure class—46 balls, timing that’d make watchmakers jealous. Murali Vijay’s 95 in the 2011 final remains one of the greatest opening innings in IPL history.
On RCB’s side, Virat Kohli’s 90 not out in Dubai during IPL 2020 showcased his genius against quality bowling. Glenn Maxwell’s 76 off 36 balls in the 2023 match at Bengaluru demonstrated why he’s called “The Big Show.”
MS Dhoni’s multiple unbeaten 70s against RCB have been match-defining knocks. The man knows how to pace a chase, doesn’t he? And AB de Villiers’ pyrotechnics for RCB always made CSK bowlers think twice about their lengths.
Complete Match-by-Match Timeline (2008-2025)
Here’s every single encounter between these giants, documented for history:
| Date | Venue | CSK Score | RCB Score | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 2008 | Bengaluru | 178/5 | 165/9 | CSK won | 13 runs |
| May 21, 2008 | Chennai | 126/8 | 140/7 | RCB won | 14 runs |
| Apr 20, 2009 | Port Elizabeth | 179/5 | 87/9 | CSK won | 92 runs |
| May 14, 2009 | Durban | 129/8 | 132/8 | RCB won | 2 wickets |
| May 23, 2009 | Johannesburg | 146/5 | 149/4 | RCB won | 6 wickets |
| Mar 23, 2010 | Bengaluru | 171/4 | 135/7 | RCB won | 36 runs |
| Mar 31, 2010 | Chennai | 162/5 | 160/9 | CSK won | 5 wickets |
| Apr 16, 2011 | Chennai | 183/5 | 162/7 | CSK won | 21 runs |
| May 22, 2011 | Bengaluru | 128/8 | 129/2 | RCB won | 8 wickets |
| May 24, 2011 | Mumbai | 175/4 | 177/4 | CSK won | 6 wickets |
| May 28, 2011 | Chennai | 205/5 | 147/8 | CSK won | 58 runs |
| Apr 12, 2012 | Chennai | 208/5 | 165/6 | CSK won | 5 wickets |
| Apr 25, 2012 | Bengaluru | N/A | N/A | No Result | – |
| Apr 13, 2013 | Chennai | 166/6 | 165/6 | CSK won | 4 wickets |
| May 18, 2013 | Bengaluru | 106/6 | 106/2 | RCB won | 24 runs |
| May 18, 2014 | Ranchi | 138/4 | 142/2 | RCB won | 8 wickets |
| May 24, 2014 | Bengaluru | 154/8 | 160/2 | CSK won | 8 wickets |
| Apr 22, 2015 | Bengaluru | 181/8 | 154/8 | CSK won | 27 runs |
| May 04, 2015 | Chennai | 148/9 | 124/10 | CSK won | 24 runs |
| May 22, 2015 | Ranchi | 140/7 | 139/8 | CSK won | 3 wickets |
| Apr 22, 2018 | Bengaluru | 207/5 | 205/8 | CSK won | 5 wickets |
| May 05, 2018 | Pune | 128/4 | 127/9 | CSK won | 6 wickets |
| Mar 23, 2019 | Chennai | 71/3 | 70/10 | CSK won | 7 wickets |
| Apr 21, 2019 | Bengaluru | 160/8 | 161/7 | RCB won | 1 run |
| Oct 10, 2020 | Dubai | 169/4 | 132/8 | RCB won | 37 runs |
| Oct 25, 2020 | Dubai | 145/6 | 138/10 | CSK won | 8 wickets |
| Apr 25, 2021 | Mumbai | 191/4 | 122/9 | CSK won | 69 runs |
| Sep 24, 2021 | Sharjah | 157/4 | 156/6 | CSK won | 6 wickets |
| Apr 12, 2022 | Mumbai | 216/4 | 193/9 | CSK won | 23 runs |
| May 04, 2022 | Pune | 173/8 | 160/6 | RCB won | 13 runs |
| Apr 17, 2023 | Bengaluru | 226/6 | 218/8 | CSK won | 8 runs |
| Mar 22, 2024 | Chennai | 174/4 | 173/6 | CSK won | 6 wickets |
| May 18, 2024 | Bengaluru | 191/7 | 218/5 | RCB won | 27 runs |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Chennai | 146/8 | 196/7 | RCB won | 50 runs |
| May 03, 2025 | Bengaluru | 211/10 | 213/5 | RCB won | 2 runs |
What Makes This Rivalry So Special?
There’s something magical about CSK vs RCB matches that transcends statistics. Maybe it’s the contrast in styles—CSK’s calculated approach versus RCB’s aggressive intent. Or perhaps it’s the fan bases—both incredibly passionate, incredibly loud.
CSK’s five IPL trophies compared to RCB’s zero might seem like a stark difference, but on match day, none of that matters. Every game starts at 0-0, and that’s what makes cricket beautiful. RCB’s kept pushing, kept believing, and honestly, their fans’ loyalty is something special. They’ve stuck with their team through thick and thin, and that’s what true support looks like.
The Captaincy Factor
MS Dhoni versus Virat Kohli as captains added another dimension to this rivalry. Dhoni’s calmness under pressure, his ability to read the game—it’s been CSK’s biggest weapon. Kohli’s passion, his aggressive field placements, and his ability to inspire teammates made every match feel like a battle.
Now with Faf du Plessis leading RCB (ironically, a former CSK player), and Ruturaj Gaikwad taking over CSK’s reins from Dhoni, we’re entering a new era. The rivalry’s evolving, but the intensity? That’s not going anywhere.
Fan Culture and Stadium Atmosphere
Visit Chepauk during a CSK vs RCB match, and you’ll understand what “fortress” means. The sea of yellow, the chants of “Whistle Podu,” and the roar when Dhoni walks in—it’s an experience that gives you goosebumps. Similarly, Chinnaswamy Stadium turns into a cauldron when these teams meet. The noise, the energy, the anticipation—you can feel it in your bones.
Record Breakers and Milestone Makers
This rivalry’s produced countless records:
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Highest team total: CSK’s 226/6 in 2023
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Lowest team total: RCB’s 70 all out in 2019
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Highest individual score: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 95* in 2022
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Best bowling figures: Multiple five-wicket hauls across seasons
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Most matches played: Several players have featured in 15+ encounters
The Broadcasting and Digital Age Impact
The rivalry’s grown massively thanks to digital platforms. Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema have made every ball accessible to millions of fans across India and globally. Social media’s amplified the emotions—every six gets instant reactions, every wicket sparks debates, and every match trends nationwide. The reach of this rivalry extends far beyond the stadium now.
What Lies Ahead?
As we move forward, this rivalry’s only going to get more interesting. With new players emerging, tactics evolving, and both franchises hungry for success, we’re in for more memorable moments. RCB’s desperate for their maiden title, and CSK wants to add to their trophy cabinet. When these motivations collide on the field, magic happens.
The 2025 season’s already shown us that anything can happen. RCB’s victories this year have injected fresh energy into the rivalry. Can they finally overcome their 21-12 deficit? Will CSK reassert their dominance? Only time will tell, and honestly, that’s the exciting part—we don’t know what’s coming next.
Conclusion
The Chennai Super Kings versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru timeline isn’t just a cricket rivalry—it’s a cultural phenomenon that’s captivated India for 18 years. From the inaugural season in 2008 to the latest encounters in 2025, this matchup has given us everything: record-breaking performances, heartbreaking defeats, stunning comebacks, and moments that’ll be replayed for generations. With 34 matches played and countless memories created, CSK’s 21-12 advantage tells one story, but the real narrative is written in the passion, drama, and pure cricket entertainment these teams deliver every single time they meet. As both franchises evolve with new leaders and fresh talent, one thing remains certain—when CSK faces RCB, millions will watch, hearts will race, and cricket will win.