Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline: Complete IPL Rivalry History (2008-2025)

The RCB vs CSK is also one of the biggest rivals & attractions in the IPL. This fixture has never fallen short of providing thrilling finishes, record-shattering performances and mesmerizing moments with its legends comprising Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis, Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina.

Table of Contents

While CSK have long had the upper hand in head-to-heads, RCB has also produced some of the finest wins over them – particularly in the last few seasons. The complete Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings timeline featuring all significant RCB vs CSK matches, key moments, performances and the history of this rivalry is given in this article.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline

2008 – The Rivalry Begins

This was the birth of this infamous rivalry that kickstarted back in the first IPL season.

Match 1: CSK chased down RCB with ease after scoring more than the other teams, massive innings from Michael Hussey.

Remember the match? Toward the end of the season, RCB won a solid game at home.

The inaugural season defined CSK as one of the toughest teams in the tournament.

2009 – CSK Continue Their Dominance

This rivalry peaked at the second IPL that was being held in South Africa.

One such great encounter that Chennai clinched.
RCB also picked up a vital win when they clinched their maiden IPL final.

Both sides ended up being two of the most potent powerhouses in the competition at that level.

2010 – First Playoff Meeting

The playoffs served as one of the first big milestones.

CSK conquered RCB in the IPL semi-final
CSK also went on to win their first title in the IPL.

Such triumphs propelled Chennai as an IPL superpower.

2011 – CSK Win the IPL Final Against RCB

One of the biggest chapters in the rivalry occurred with a Game 7 win in 2011.

Both Teams Qualified For The IPL Final- When

CSK 205/5

Murali Vijay – 95
Michael Hussey – 63

RCB 147/8

CSK won their second successive IPL trophy in 2023 by winning the match against CSK by only 58 runs.

This has since gone down as one of the biggest meetings RCB vs CSK

2012-2015 – Chennai Stay Ahead

Between 2012 and 2015:

MS Dhoni led CSK brilliantly.
Raina and Jadeja always had RCB in trouble.
Indian batting great Virat Kohli did give us a few memorable innings, but CSK kept comfortably their better head-to-head record.

Those years did solidify the dominance of Chennai in the rivalry.

2016-2017 – Chennai Suspended

For the entire two seasons, CSK were suspended from the IPL.

As a result:

There were no matches between RCB and CSK

2018 – CSK Return in Style

Following their return:

CSK defeated RCB in Bengaluru.
Enjoyed, Dhoni played one of his best ever innings in the IPL.

Dhoni’s Masterclass

Chasing 206,

Dhoni scored 70, not out off only 34 balls with enormous hits in the later overs.

CSK, meanwhile, regularly lost wickets at regular intervals but Dhoni almost took this chase close before getting out just short of 50.

That innings is still one of his best IPL performances.

2019 – Dhoni’s Last-Over Thriller

B: One of the best IPL matches involving these sides took place in Bengaluru.

RCB scored:

161/7

In reply:

CSK needed 26 runs from the last over.

Dhoni blasted:

It all boiled down to two runs from the final ball.

RCB pacer Umesh Yadav kept his calm when Thakur was run out

RCB won by 1 run.

It was an IPL classic right from the match.

2020 – RCB Break the Pattern

In the UAE season:

RCB defeated CSK twice.
Virat Kohli returned to form.
Devdutt Padikkal was impressive throughout the tournament

This was one of the better performances from RCB against CSK.

2021 – Jadeja’s Historic Assault

Ravindra Jadeja’s one of the best-known innings in the IPL.

Against RCB:

Jadeja hit two fours and three sixes, including 37 runs in one over off Harshal Patel.

His innings:

62* off 28 balls

He also took wickets and put in an incredible all round performance.

CSK won comfortably.

2022 – New Captains, Same Rivalry

At least they have their chief changes in both camps:

Faf du Plessis captained RCB.
Ravindra Jadeja initially captained CSK.

Chennai pulled off a memorable batting display last time, powered by Shivm Dube.

2023 – Kohli vs Dhoni Draws Huge Attention

However, the feud was back on the world stage once again.

Highlights included:

Virat Kohli’s aggressive batting
Devon Conway’s consistency
Dhoni’s finishing cameo
Massive crowds in Bengaluru and Chennai

CSK ended a successful season as champions for the fifth time in IPL history.

2024 – RCB’s Historic Qualification Match

The last league game of IPL 2024 was one of the biggest matches ever between these franchises.

Match Details

RCB: 218/5

Key contributions:

Faf du Plessis
Virat Kohli
Rajat Patidar
Cameron Green

CSK required:

Qualifying by the net run rate: 201 runs

Despite brilliant batting from:

Rachin Ravindra
Ravindra Jadeja
MS Dhoni

RCB held their nerve.

It’s a moment of mine that marked you and me specifically, the name of layups, in which it can define you here as an experience, so let us tell one of them!

The first wicket for Yash Dayal came when MS Dhoni tried to hit a six and was caught superbly near the boundary.

RCB went on to win by 27 runs to clinch a spot in the playoffs, with CSK officially eliminated from contention.

The pitch of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was high on nostalgia (HT PHOTO) These jubilation also came to represent one of IPL 2024’s biggest moments

Head-to-Head Record (After IPL 2025)

Statistic	Record
Total Matches	35+
Chennai Super Kings Wins	22+
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Wins	12+
No Result	1

69 Thoughts Amit Mishra (T) 6893These figures are for IPL matches played until the end of season 2025.

Highest Team Totals

Team	Score
CSK	226+
RCB	218

Both have explosive batting line-ups that boast of putting up huge scores.

Most Runs in the Rivalry

Virat Kohli (RCB)

Most Runs In Matches Against CSK For RCB

Multiple half-centuries.

One century against CSK.

MS Dhoni (CSK)

Expert finisher, numerous match-winning knocks against Bengaluru.

Suresh Raina

CSK’s most consistent performer against RCB

Faf du Plessis

Played an 18 for both franchises & put up some heavy points with each

Most Memorable Bowling Performances

Others have made immeasurable contributions as bowlers over the years:

Ravindra Jadeja
Dwayne Bravo
Harshal Patel
Yuzvendra Chahal
Josh Hazlewood

They both have bowled match-winning spells in this rivalry.

Greatest Moments in RCB vs CSK History

Some of the most memorable moments include:

The 2011 IPL Final: CSK Beats RCB
The memorable Dhoni chase of 2018
RCB won an incredible one-run win in 2019
Ravindra Jadeja 37 runs in one over 2021
RCB eliminates CSK, CSK out of IPL 2024 playoffs race
Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni fought a lot of battles over the nearly two decades.

Why This Rivalry Is So Popular

There are a number of reasons why this is one of the biggest rivalries in IPL:

Virat Kohli vs MS Dhoni
Passionate fan bases
High-scoring encounters
Frequent playoff implications
Legendary individual performances
Consistent attendance and television viewership

This fixture is seen by millions globally every season.

Conclusion

The RCB vs CSK timeline exhibits one of the oldest, fiercest and exciting rivalries that IPL has ever seen. Chennai Super Kings have won several conqueror trophies in the past and a decent head-to-head record as well, RCB has provided moments that more than close one-sided rivalry in recent years.

Be it the 2011 IPL Final to the super finishing one-run thriller of 2019, Ravindra Jadeja’s record-setting over in 2021 and RCB’s heart-tugging playoff-securing success in 2024, this competition has given us many enchanted moments. Hope springs eternal when these two franchises are involved, and as long as this rivalry exists between the two sides fans will always have exciting matches and new stories from one of cricket’s greatest rivalries.

Also Read: Chamari Athapaththu Heartbroken After Sri Lanka’s World Cup Setback

FAQs

1. Who has won more matches between RCB and CSK?

Chennai Super Kings have won more IPL matches against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and lead the overall head-to-head record.

2. Which is the most famous RCB vs CSK match?

The 2011 IPL Final, the 2019 one-run thriller, and the 2024 playoff qualification match are among the most memorable encounters.

3. Who has scored the most runs in RCB vs CSK matches?

Virat Kohli is the leading run scorer in the RCB vs CSK rivalry.

4. What is Ravindra Jadeja’s famous record against RCB?

In IPL 2021, Jadeja scored 37 runs in a single over against Harshal Patel, an IPL record at the time.

5. Why is RCB vs CSK considered one of the biggest IPL rivalries?

The rivalry features legendary players, massive fan support, high-pressure matches, playoff battles, and several unforgettable performances, making it one of the IPL’s marquee fixtures.