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MI vs CSK Timeline: Head-to-Head & History

Arthur William Bennett Harrison • 2026-05-30 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League crackle with the same electricity as Mumbai Indians versus Chennai Super Kings. Whether you’re a die-hard fan checking the head-to-head count or just trying to make sense of the latest IPL 2026 playoff chaos, this timeline lays out every twist between the two most decorated teams in the competition — from their first meeting in 2008 to the present day.

Total Matches Played: 41 — MI Wins: 21 — CSK Wins: 20 — Last Match Winner (IPL 2026): CSK — Highest Total (MI vs CSK): MI 219/6 (2021) — Highest Total (CSK vs MI): CSK 208/5 (2021)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether MI is mathematically eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoffs
  • Who will replace Sam Curran in the CSK lineup, if anyone
  • Exact playoff qualification scenarios for CSK as of early May 2026
3Timeline signal
  • CSK on a 2-match win streak (April 23 + May 2, 2026) (Wikipedia: CSK–MI rivalry)
  • MI’s biggest defeat in the rivalry came on 23 April 2026 (Wikipedia: CSK–MI rivalry)
  • CSK’s 103-run win at Wankhede is the largest margin by runs ever (Wikipedia: CSK–MI rivalry)
4What’s next

The head-to-head numbers reveal a finely balanced rivalry.

Metric Value
Total Matches 41
MI Wins 21
CSK Wins 20
Highest Team Score (MI vs CSK) 219/6 (2021)
Highest Team Score (CSK vs MI) 208/5 (2021)
Lowest Team Score (MI vs CSK) 87 all out (2010)
Lowest Team Score (CSK vs MI) 79 all out (2015)
Most Runs (MI vs CSK) Rohit Sharma – 700+ runs
Most Runs (CSK vs MI) Suresh Raina – 600+ runs
Most Wickets (MI vs CSK) Jasprit Bumrah – 15+ wickets
Most Wickets (CSK vs MI) Dwayne Bravo – 12+ wickets

Who won, Mumbai Indians or Chennai Super Kings?

Mumbai Indians lead the overall head-to-head 21 wins to 20, but Chennai Super Kings have won the last two meetings in a row — including a demolition job at Wankhede Stadium in April 2026.

What is the overall head-to-head record?

The paradox

MI’s narrow lead is real — they’ve won three of the four finals. But CSK’s 103-run victory on 23 April 2026 was the largest margin by runs in the entire history of the rivalry, flipping the psychological edge.

Bottom line: CSK. The rivalry stands at a near-perfect 21–20, but the yellow team has the momentum and the biggest single-session win in 18 years.

The implication: MI’s historical edge is real, but momentum has clearly shifted to CSK in 2026.

Has MI lost any final?

Yes — although it’s one of the most lopsided final histories in IPL.

Which finals have MI and CSK played against each other?

  • 2010 final: CSK beat MI by 22 runs (Wikipedia: CSK–MI rivalry (community-maintained reference))
  • 2013 final: MI beat CSK by 23 runs (Rohit Sharma 50, Player of the Match)
  • 2015 final: MI beat CSK by 41 runs
  • 2019 final: MI beat CSK by 1 run

What is MI’s record in IPL finals overall?

Mumbai Indians have lost only one final to Chennai Super Kings — that 2010 defeat. In the three finals since, MI have prevailed, including the iconic 1-run thriller in 2019.

Bottom line: MI have a lopsided 3–1 finals record against CSK. The single loss — 2010 — was their first IPL final appearance and the only time CSK have stopped them on the biggest stage.

What this means: Despite MI’s overall finals dominance, CSK’s lone final win remains a significant milestone.

Is Dhoni playing IPL 2026?

Yes. CSK’s ₹12 crore-retained icon is officially in the squad for IPL 2026.

What is MS Dhoni’s role for CSK in 2026?

  • Batter and wicketkeeper; plays in the middle order (IPLT20 CSK schedule (official league source))
  • Scored 29 runs in CSK’s 23 April 2026 win vs MI (Mumbai Indians Matchcentre)

Has Dhoni retired from IPL?

No official retirement announcement has been made as of May 2026. At 44, Dhoni remains an active player for CSK.

Who will replace Sam Curran in the CSK lineup, if anyone?

As of early May 2026, no replacement has been officially announced. The CSK squad remains unchanged from the start of the season.

The upshot

Dhoni’s continued presence gives CSK’s middle order a calm, experienced anchor in run-chases — something MI lacked in the 23 April loss, where their top order collapsed.

The implication: Dhoni’s continued presence provides CSK with invaluable experience in pressure situations.

Is MI officially eliminated?

As of early May 2026, MI’s elimination status depends on results in the remaining matches of the season. The team has lost two consecutive games to CSK.

What is MI’s position in the IPL 2026 points table?

After the 33rd match (23 April 2026), MI’s points tally and net run rate were impacted by the heavy loss. The exact elimination scenario is not confirmed from official sources.

Can MI still make the playoffs?

Mathematically, it is unclear — depends on other match results. What is clear: MI needs to win every remaining game and hope other teams drop points.

Can CSK still qualify?

CSK are in strong contention for a playoff spot, having won two consecutive matches in late April/early May 2026, including a dominant victory against MI.

Bottom line: MI face a steep climb. After two straight losses to CSK, including the biggest defeat in the rivalry’s history, the five-time champions are on thin ice for playoff qualification.

The catch: MI’s playoff hopes depend not only on their own wins but also on favourable results from other matches.

Who won, toss MI or CSK?

Toss data for the full rivalry is not centralised in a single Tier 1 source, but the last meeting provides one clear data point.

What is the overall toss record between MI and CSK?

  • No single authoritative source publishes a full toss-count for the 41-match series
  • Recorded data from media coverage suggests MI have won the toss in roughly half their matches

Did the toss result affect the last match outcome?

The 23 April 2026 match at Wankhede was won by CSK after they won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 207/6. MI were bowled out for 104 (Mumbai Indians Matchcentre).

What to watch

CSK have now won the toss in both 2026 meetings. At Wankhede, winning the toss and batting first has become a potent strategy — the pitch slows down under lights.

What this means: Toss advantage has played a role in recent encounters, particularly at Wankhede.

Timeline: Every milestone in the MI-CSK rivalry

  • 2008–2010: Early meetings: CSK dominant, winning 3 of first 4 matches.
  • 2010 Final: CSK beat MI by 22 runs to win IPL 3.
  • 2013 Final: MI beat CSK by 23 runs to win IPL 6.
  • 2015 Final: MI beat CSK by 41 runs to win IPL 8.
  • 2019 Final: MI beat CSK by 1 run to win IPL 12.
  • 2021: CSK beat MI twice in the group stage, eventually won IPL.
  • 2026 (April 23): CSK beat MI by 103 runs – biggest win margin by runs in rivalry history (Mumbai Indians Matchcentre; Wikipedia: CSK–MI rivalry)
  • 2026 (May 2): CSK beat MI by 8 wickets (Wikipedia: CSK–MI rivalry)
Bottom line: CSK have seized control in 2026 after MI dominated the 2010s. The rivalry’s biggest victory margin now belongs to the yellow side.

The pattern: CSK’s recent dominance has reversed the trend from the 2010s when MI held the upper hand.

Key records & performances

Individual performances have defined this rivalry’s biggest moments.

Category Record Holder
Highest individual score 113* Rohit Sharma (MI)
Best bowling figures 5/13 Jasprit Bumrah (MI)
Most runs in rivalry 700+ Rohit Sharma (MI)
Most wickets in rivalry 15+ Jasprit Bumrah (MI)
Fastest fifty 15 balls Kieron Pollard (MI)

The implication: Individual brilliance has often decided the outcome in this tightly contested rivalry.

Who scored 87 runs in 25 balls?

This feat was achieved by Kieron Pollard (MI) in a 2020 match against CSK at Sharjah. He hit 8 sixes and 6 fours.

Comparison: MI vs CSK at a glance

Seven categories, one pattern: MI edge the historical numbers, but CSK’s 2026 form — led by Sanju Samson’s 101 off 54 balls on 23 April — suggests a power shift.

Category Mumbai Indians Chennai Super Kings
IPL titles 5 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) 5 (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)
Finals meetings 3 wins (2013, 2015, 2019) 1 win (2010)
Current head-to-head 21 20
Current win streak 0 2
Biggest win margin (runs) 57 runs 103 runs
Captain (2026) Hardik Pandya Ruturaj Gaikwad
Icon player (2026) Rohit Sharma MS Dhoni
The trade-off

MI’s five IPL trophies are undisputed, but two of CSK’s five titles came while MI were still building their dynasty. The head-to-head is nearly dead even — and CSK have the 2026 momentum.

What this means: While MI leads in titles and head-to-head, CSK’s recent form suggests a shifting balance of power.

MI holds a slight edge in the head to head record. In 40 matches, MI has won 21 times while CSK has won 19 times.

— Sportstar (May 2026) (established sports magazine)

An emphatic win for Chennai Super Kings, who have dismantled Mumbai Indians in front of their home crowd.

— Cricbuzz match report (April 23, 2026) (cricket specialist outlet)

The pattern is clear: MI’s historical advantage — three finals wins and a narrow head-to-head lead — is real, but CSK’s 2026 form, anchored by a rejuvenated Sanju Samson and the evergreen Dhoni, has flipped the narrative. For MI fans, the question isn’t whether their team can beat CSK on a given night; it’s whether a squad that lost by 103 runs at home can rediscover its spine in time for the playoffs. For CSK supporters, the takeaway is more optimistic: their team has ended the two-year losing streak and now holds the psychological edge.

Related reading: Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians Match Scorecard – MI Win by 6 Wickets · 2025 Asia Cup Schedule: Fixtures, Time Table & Dates

Additional sources

youtube.com

For a deeper look at the other side of this rivalry, check out the CSK vs MI timeline for a detailed head-to-head breakdown.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common result in MI vs CSK matches?

Batting first wins roughly 55% of the time. The team winning the toss has a slight advantage, especially at Wankhede and Chepauk.

Which player has scored the most centuries in MI-CSK rivalry?

Rohit Sharma (MI) has the only century: 113* off 80 balls in 2019. No other player has reached three figures in this fixture.

What is the biggest win margin (by runs) in MI vs CSK?

CSK’s 103-run win on 23 April 2026 at Wankhede Stadium — the largest margin by runs in the history of the rivalry (Wikipedia: CSK–MI rivalry (community-maintained reference)).

How many times have MI and CSK met in the playoffs?

Four times — all in IPL finals (2010, 2013, 2015, 2019). MI have never met CSK in an Eliminator or Qualifier playoff match.

When is the next MI vs CSK match scheduled?

No further league-stage match is scheduled for IPL 2026. The next possible meeting would be in the playoffs if both teams qualify.

Who holds the record for most sixes in MI vs CSK matches?

Kieron Pollard (MI) holds the record with 25 sixes in the fixture, followed by MS Dhoni (CSK) with 22.

What this means: The FAQ answers confirm the key talking points of the rivalry, from record margins to current season scenarios.

For MI fans in Mumbai, the choice is clear: confront the reality that a 21–20 lead means nothing when you’ve just lost by 103 runs at home, or trust the squad’s five-title pedigree to bounce back. For CSK supporters in Chennai, the opportunity is equally sharp: a chance to flip the all-time head-to-head for the first time since 2018 — or risk letting MI’s biggest defeat fuel a revenge tour.



Arthur William Bennett Harrison

About the author

Arthur William Bennett Harrison

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.