Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline: A Fierce IPL Rivalry from 2008 to 2024

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings timeline is one of the most iconic rivalries in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ever since their first encounter in 2008, the battles between RCB and CSK have provided fans with unforgettable moments, thrilling matches, and standout performances by legends such as Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.

With CSK’s dominant record and RCB’s fight to claim supremacy, every match between these two teams has carried high stakes, whether it be dramatic last-over finishes or massive high-scoring chases. This timeline traces their encounters from 2008 to 2024, highlighting the key moments that have defined this epic rivalry.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline (2008 to 2024)

1. 2008: The Birth of the Rivalry

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: CSK won both matches

Match 1: CSK’s First-Ever IPL Win (April 28, 2008)

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• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Result: CSK won by 13 runs

Description: The IPL’s inaugural season saw CSK secure their first-ever IPL victory by defeating RCB. Chasing a modest total of 126, RCB faltered, managing only 112/9 in 20 overs. Manpreet Gony was the star for CSK with 3 wickets, and CSK’s disciplined bowling attack laid the foundation for a crucial win in their very first clash against RCB.

Match 2: CSK’s Chase Success (May 21, 2008)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: CSK won by 3 wickets

Description: In the second encounter of the season, RCB posted a competitive 178/5 on the back of strong contributions from Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis. However, CSK, led by Parthiv Patel’s 57, chased down the target with one ball to spare, showing their prowess in pressure situations. This victory gave CSK a clean sweep over RCB in the inaugural season.

2. 2009: South African Edition – CSK Dominates

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: CSK won both matches

Match 1: CSK’s Huge Victory (April 20, 2009)

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• Venue: St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
• Result: CSK won by 92 runs

Description: In the second IPL season, played in South Africa, CSK continued their dominance. Batting first, CSK posted 179/5, with Matthew Hayden smashing a quickfire 65. RCB crumbled in the chase, getting bowled out for a paltry 87. Muttiah Muralitharan spun his web around the RCB batsmen, taking 3 wickets. CSK’s 92-run victory remains one of the most comprehensive wins in the rivalry.

Match 2: CSK Clinches Another (May 14, 2009)

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• Venue: Kingsmead, Durban
• Result: CSK won by 2 wickets

Description: The second match was a much closer affair. RCB managed to set a target of 145, but CSK’s batting depth once again saw them through in a low-scoring chase. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, CSK won the match with 2 wickets in hand, thanks to valuable contributions from Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni.

3. 2010: A Balanced Contest

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: Split 1-1

Match 1: RCB’s Crucial Victory (March 23, 2010)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: RCB won by 36 runs

Description: In their first clash of the 2010 season, RCB finally got the better of CSK. Anil Kumble’s side posted 171/5, led by Robin Uthappa’s quickfire 68. In reply, CSK fell short, managing only 135/7. Jacques Kallis played a pivotal role with the ball, taking crucial wickets to seal the victory for RCB.

Match 2: CSK Strikes Back (April 21, 2010)

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• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Result: CSK won by 5 wickets

Description: CSK evened the score in the return fixture as they successfully chased down RCB’s total of 161. MS Dhoni played a captain’s knock, guiding his team to a 5-wicket win with 2 balls to spare. This victory helped CSK build momentum toward the playoffs, eventually leading them to their first IPL title later that season.

4. 2011: CSK Dominates Playoffs and Wins Final

• Matches Played: 3 (including Qualifier 1 and Final)
• Result: CSK won all 3 matches

Match 1: CSK Wins the Group Stage (April 16, 2011)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: CSK won by 21 runs

Description: In their first meeting of the season, CSK posted 183/5, thanks to Suresh Raina’s blistering 63. RCB, led by Virat Kohli, could only manage 162/7 in their chase as CSK’s bowlers kept things tight at the death.

Match 2: Qualifier 1 (May 24, 2011)

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• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Result: CSK won by 6 wickets

Description: In Qualifier 1, RCB’s Chris Gayle played a brilliant knock of 89 to help his team post 175/4, but MS Dhoni’s calculated chase, along with Michael Hussey’s 50, saw CSK through to the final with a 6-wicket win.

Match 3: The IPL Final – CSK’s Title Defense (May 28, 2011)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: CSK won by 58 runs

Description: In the 2011 IPL Final, CSK made history by becoming the first team to defend their IPL title. Batting first, they posted a massive 205/5, with Murali Vijay smashing 95 off 52 balls. RCB’s batting lineup faltered under pressure, managing only 147/8 as CSK won by 58 runs to lift their second consecutive title.

5. 2012: High-Scoring Encounters

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: Split 1-1

Match 1: CSK’s Record Chase (April 12, 2012)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: CSK won by 5 wickets

Description: RCB posted a mammoth 205/8, with Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli playing crucial innings. However, CSK pulled off an incredible chase, reaching the target on the last ball. Albie Morkel’s 28-run over off Virat Kohli swung the momentum in CSK’s favor as they won by 5 wickets in a record chase.

Match 2: RCB’s Revenge (May 25, 2012)

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• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Result: RCB won by 5 wickets

Description: In the second fixture, RCB avenged their earlier defeat, successfully chasing down CSK’s target of 128. Chris Gayle’s quickfire 34 and AB de Villiers’ match-winning knock ensured RCB’s victory by 5 wickets.

6. 2013: CSK Continues Dominance

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: CSK won both matches

Match 1: CSK Edges Out RCB (April 13, 2013)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: CSK won by 4 wickets

Description: RCB set a target of 165, with Virat Kohli leading the charge with a 58-run knock. CSK chased it down with Ravindra Jadeja playing a crucial role, scoring 38 off 20 balls, and finishing the match in dramatic fashion.

Match 2: CSK Completes the Sweep (May 18, 2013)

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• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Result: CSK won by 8 wickets

Description: In the second clash, CSK once again dominated, chasing down RCB’s total of 134 with ease. Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina stitched a 75-run partnership to help CSK complete the season sweep.

7. 2014: AB de Villiers’ Heroics

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: Split 1-1

Match 1: CSK’s Dominant Win (May 18, 2014)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: CSK won by 8 wickets

Description: CSK comfortably chased down RCB’s target of 154, with MS Dhoni leading the charge with an unbeaten 49. CSK’s bowling attack, led by Ashish Nehra, kept RCB’s big hitters quiet.

Match 2: AB de Villiers Show (May 24, 2014)

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• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Result: RCB won by 5 wickets

Description: In one of the most memorable games of the 2014 season, AB de Villiers produced a match-winning innings, scoring an unbeaten 89 off 41 balls. RCB chased down CSK’s 138 in just 19.3 overs, with de Villiers single-handedly dominating CSK’s bowlers.

8. 2015: Gayle Storm in Bengaluru

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: Split 1-1

Match 1: CSK Wins at Home (April 22, 2015)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: CSK won by 27 runs

Description: CSK posted 181/8, with Brendon McCullum smashing 56 runs at the top of the order. RCB struggled in the chase, managing 154/8, despite a valiant 46 from Dinesh Karthik.

Match 2: Gayle Lights Up Bengaluru (May 4, 2015)

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• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Result: RCB won by 37 runs

Description: Chris Gayle played a breathtaking innings of 85 off 50 balls, including 7 sixes, as RCB posted 181/8. CSK struggled in the chase, falling short by 37 runs, despite a 48 from MS Dhoni.

9. 2016: CSK’s Absence from the IPL

• Matches Played: 0
• Reason: CSK was suspended for two seasons (2016 and 2017).

Description

In 2016, Chennai Super Kings did not participate in the IPL due to a two-year suspension imposed after the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. With CSK absent from the tournament, RCB did not face their archrival during this season. This year was notable for RCB, as they had a strong season, finishing as runners-up, led by a record-breaking performance from Virat Kohli, who scored a staggering 973 runs in the tournament.

10. 2017: CSK’s Final Year of Suspension

• Matches Played: 0
• Reason: CSK’s suspension continued through the 2017 season.

Description

Like 2016, CSK remained absent from the IPL in 2017 due to their suspension. Without CSK in the competition, RCB experienced a disappointing season, finishing at the bottom of the points table. The RCB vs CSK rivalry was on hold, with fans eagerly anticipating CSK’s return in 2018, which would reignite one of the most thrilling rivalries in IPL history.

11. 2018: The Return of CSK – Dhoni’s Masterclass

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: CSK won both matches

Match 1: Dhoni’s Iconic Knock (April 25, 2018)

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• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Result: CSK won by 5 wickets

Description: In one of the most memorable matches of the 2018 season, CSK chased down 205, led by MS Dhoni’s explosive knock of 70 off 34 balls*. Dhoni’s six-hitting spree in the final overs helped CSK pull off a dramatic victory in the last over.

Match 2: CSK Seals the Sweep (May 5, 2018)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: CSK won by 6 wickets

Description: In the return leg, RCB struggled with the bat, managing only 127/9. CSK chased down the target easily with Suresh Raina’s unbeaten 42 guiding them to a comfortable win, completing the season sweep over RCB.

12. 2019: The Last-Ball Thriller

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: Split 1-1

Match 1: CSK’s Easy Win (March 23, 2019)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: CSK won by 7 wickets

Description: RCB was bundled out for just 70 in this low-scoring affair, with Imran Tahir taking 3 wickets. CSK chased down the total with ease, securing a 7-wicket victory.

Match 2: RCB’s 1-Run Win (April 21, 2019)

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• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Result: RCB won by 1 run

Description: In one of the closest matches in IPL history, CSK needed 26 runs off the final over, and MS Dhoni nearly pulled off a miracle, scoring 24 runs before a direct hit from Parthiv Patel sealed a 1-run victory for RCB. This win was RCB’s first against CSK in four years.

13. 2020: UAE Edition – CSK Spoils RCB’s Playoff Chances

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: Split 1-1

Match 1: Kohli Leads RCB to Victory (October 10, 2020)

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• Venue: Dubai International Stadium, UAE
• Result: RCB won by 37 runs

Description: Virat Kohli led RCB to a commanding win with an unbeaten 90, helping his team post 169/4. CSK faltered in the chase, managing only 132/8, giving RCB a crucial 37-run victory.

Match 2: CSK’s Revenge (October 25, 2020)

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• Venue: Dubai International Stadium, UAE
• Result: CSK won by 8 wickets

Description: In a must-win game for RCB to finish in the top two, CSK played spoilers. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 65 helped CSK chase down RCB’s total of 145 comfortably, effectively ending RCB’s hopes for a top-two finish.

14. 2021: Jadeja’s Record-Breaking Performance

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: CSK won both matches

Match 1: Jadeja’s 37-Run Over (April 25, 2021)

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• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Result: CSK won by 69 runs

Description: Ravindra Jadeja played one of the greatest all-round IPL performances, smashing 37 runs off one over from Harshal Patel, the most runs in a single over in IPL history. Jadeja also took 3 wickets as CSK posted 191/4 and bowled out RCB for 122, winning by 69 runs.

Match 2: CSK Wins Again (September 24, 2021)

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• Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE
• Result: CSK won by 6 wickets

Description: RCB posted 156/6, with Devdutt Padikkal scoring 70. However, CSK chased the target comfortably, with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis contributing to a 6-wicket win.

15. 2022: Competitive Matches

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: Split 1-1

Match 1: CSK’s Massive Total (April 12, 2022)

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• Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai
• Result: CSK won by 23 runs

Description: CSK posted a massive total of 216/4, powered by Shivam Dube (95*) and Robin Uthappa (88). RCB’s chase fell short, finishing at 193/9, giving CSK a 23-run victory.

Match 2: RCB’s Bounce Back (May 4, 2022)

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• Venue: MCA Stadium, Pune
• Result: RCB won by 13 runs

Description: RCB exacted revenge in the return fixture, posting 173/8, with Faf du Plessis top-scoring with 38. CSK’s chase faltered, and they ended at 160/8, handing RCB a 13-run win.

16. 2023: High-Scoring Thrillers

• Matches Played: 2
• Result: Split 1-1

Match 1: CSK Edge Out in a Run-Fest (April 17, 2023)

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• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Result: CSK won by 8 runs

Description: In one of the most thrilling matches of IPL 2023, CSK posted a mammoth total of 226/6, with Devon Conway leading the way with a blistering 83 off 45 balls. RCB responded with a valiant effort, with Faf du Plessis (62 off 33 balls) and Glenn Maxwell (76 off 36 balls) putting up a quickfire partnership, but despite their heroics, RCB fell short by 8 runs, finishing at 218/8. CSK’s bowlers, particularly Tushar Deshpande, held their nerves at the death to clinch the win.

Match 2: RCB’s Clinical Win (May 6, 2023)

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• Venue: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• Result: RCB won by 13 runs

Description: In the reverse fixture at Chennai, RCB bounced back with a strong performance. Batting first, RCB posted 185/6, with Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell once again providing the bulk of the runs. CSK’s chase was derailed by Mohammad Siraj’s incisive bowling, and they could only manage 172/9, giving RCB a 13-run victory. This win kept RCB’s playoff hopes alive, balancing the season’s encounters between the two sides.

17. 2024: Upcoming Showdowns

• Matches Planned: TBD
• Anticipation: With both teams boasting strong squads for the 2024 season, the rivalry between RCB and CSK is expected to heat up once again.

Description: The IPL 2024 season promises to bring more high-octane contests between RCB and CSK. With fresh talent, new team combinations, and the continued leadership of key players like Virat Kohli for RCB and MS Dhoni for CSK (if this is his final season), the excitement around this rivalry remains unmatched.

Fans will be keen to see if RCB can finally turn the tide and assert dominance over CSK, or if CSK will maintain their upper hand.

Conclusion

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings timeline is filled with high-intensity encounters, close finishes, and extraordinary performances by some of the biggest names in cricket. While CSK has historically held the upper hand in the rivalry, RCB has delivered some memorable victories, ensuring that every game between these two teams is a must-watch event.

As the rivalry progresses, with new talents and evolving strategies, the excitement and intensity only continue to grow, making this contest one of the defining elements of the IPL. Whether it’s Dhoni’s calm finishing or Kohli’s aggressive leadership, the RCB vs CSK rivalry will always remain a crucial chapter in IPL history.

Whar Are the FAQs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline?

When did the rivalry begin?

The rivalry began in 2008 during the inaugural season of the IPL when RCB faced CSK for the first time on April 28, 2008.

What is the overall performance record in the rivalry?

Historically, CSK has maintained a dominant edge over RCB in their encounters. However, there have been competitive matches where RCB has secured noteworthy victories.

How many matches have CSK and RCB played against each other?

As of 2024, CSK and RCB have played numerous matches since their first encounter in 2008, with a mix of wins for both teams across various seasons.

What impact do IPL seasons have on the rivalry?

Each IPL season brings fresh talent and strategies, heightening the intensity of the encounters. The stakes are particularly high as both teams often compete for playoff spots, making every match critical.

What can fans expect in the upcoming 2024 season?

With both teams featuring strong squads, the 2024 season promises to reignite the rivalry. Fans are eager to see if RCB can finally claim dominance over CSK or if CSK will continue their historical upper hand.

How do fans engage with the rivalry?

Fans often fill stadiums with vibrant displays of support, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The matches are widely followed, drawing viewership across various platforms, making it a celebration of cricketing excellence.

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