Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are two top IPL teams without whom the Indian Premier League will be incomplete. And not only do these two teams complete the league, but their rivalry helps it thrive.
Over the years, the teams have played out some classy encounters. We have picked the five best encounters and will be looking at them very closely in this article. In IPL betting, these two teams are always at the top of the popularity charts.
But before we begin, let’s take a look at the head-to-head between these two teams. Both teams have played 38 games, with Mumbai going on to win 21 matches while Chennai has been victorious on 17 occasions.
Five Classy Encounters Between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings
We will begin with their encounter in the 2010 IPL final before moving on to the 2012 IPL eliminator. The third game is the 2013 IPL final, where the two teams again met each other. The fourth clash we feature comes from the 2019 edition with the fifth and final one being the IPL 2019 final.
IPL 2010 Final:
It was here that the rivalry between the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings really started.
- Both teams were desperate for the title as they landed at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
- CSK had won the toss and opted to bat, and although they lost both of their openers early, Suresh Raina hung on and scored a 35-ball 57, helping CSK post a respectable total of 168/5.
- In reply, MI skipper Sachin Tendulkar led from the front, but after he was dismissed for 48, the match turned.
- The middle order couldn’t do much in the aftermath, with only Kieron Pollard slamming 10-ball-27.
- But with Pollard gone, MI slumped to a 22-run loss, handing the maiden IPL trophy to CSK.
IPL 2012 Eliminator:
Both rivals were back at each other’s throats, but this time in the Eliminator of 2012 edition.
- It was a knockout match, and losing this one meant the end of the story.
- CSK had to bat first as Mumbai had won the toss, and the decision seemed spot on with both openers gone.
- However, Michael Hussey (49) and Subramaniam Badrinath (47) helped CSK reach 114/5.
- But from here on, skipper MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 51 off just 20 balls ensured that CSK reached a challenging total of 187/5.
- Mumbai Indians opener Sachin Tendulkar and Dwayne Smith gave them a 47-run stand in the chase, but once the partnership broke, things became difficult, and they eventually lost the match by 38 runs.
IPL 2013 Final:
Three years later, both teams were back in the summit clash of the IPL.
- And for the very first time, Mumbai turned the tables on CSK with a resilient display.
- They had batted first, and the top order was blown away as they were 100/5 at one stage.
- Now, walked in West Indies’ Kieron Pollard, who smashed a 32-ball 60 to help Mumbai reach a respectable total of 148/9 on the slow pitch of Eden Gardens.
- It wasn’t going to be an easy chase, and Mumbai bowlers Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson proved it right away.
- The CSK middle order was blown away in no time, and they were struggling at 39/6.
- The game was long gone, and the margin of difference got reduced when MS Dhoni came up with a 45-ball 63.
- Mumbai won the match and their maiden IPL trophy.
IPL 2021:
Arguably one of the best matches in IPL history, both teams ensured that fans saw a run-fest.
- Rohit Sharma had won the toss and asked CSK to bat where half centuries from Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali had initially strengthened CSK’s position.
- But it was the explosive knock by Ambati Rayudu (72 off 27) balls that powered them to a huge 218/4.
- In reply, no one gave Mumbai a chance, but openers Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock gave them a 71-run opening stand, but they stuttered soon after at 81/3.
- However, Kieron Pollard and Krunal Paandya combined for 89 runs, helping Mumbai make a comeback in the match.
- After Krunal’s departure, two more wickets fell quickly, but Pollard (34-ball 87) hung on and saw his team home by four wickets in one of the most amazing matches.
IPL 2019 Final:
Mumbai vs. Chennai in the IPL final had become the norm when the two teams met for the fourth time in less than a decade.
- Mumbai had won the toss and batted with openers Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock, giving them a brisk start of 45 runs.
- Once the duo was dismissed, Mumbai faced a batting collapse, and despite Kieron Pollard’s 41 runs off 25 balls, they could muster 149/8.
- In reply, CSK looked all set to win another title, with opener Shane Watson anchoring the perfect chase.
- But once he was dismissed via runout in the final over, Mumbai sensed an opening.
- And then Lasith Malinga trapped Shardul Thakur plumb in front to snatch a thriller of a match and the IPL title.
Final Thoughts:
Many years have passed since the inception of the IPL, and it is not hard to say that the Mumbai Indians vs. Chennai Super Kings rivalry has stood the test of time. No other teams have managed to create that sort of rivalry, producing humdingers after humdingers.
There is also a battle between these teams for the number of trophies. When the tournament began, it was CSK that did all the winning, while Mumbai started to win from 2013 onwards. By 2020, it was Mumbai that had surpassed CSK in terms of the most successful IPL side.
But in recent years, it has been CSK who has been back in business, winning three trophies from 2018 to 2023, becoming the most successful IPL side alongside Mumbai Indians.
