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Two yellow armies. 33 matches since 2008. A head-to-head split so perfect it almost looks staged.
The Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings timeline is one of the IPL’s most quietly gripping rivalries. No single team dominates. No era belongs entirely to one franchise. CSK lead the all-time count 17–16, which tells you everything about how evenly matched this fixture has been across 18 years of Indian Premier League cricket.
There have been 447-run spectaculars in the opening season, a tie decided by super over, Suresh Raina’s only IPL century, Virender Sehwag’s 122 in a qualifier, a 97-run demolition at Chepauk, and PBKS winning 5 in a row between 2021 and 2023. This isn’t a rivalry of one franchise lording it over the other. Every time momentum swings one way, the other finds a way back.
Here’s the full Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings timeline, year by year, match by match.
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Timeline (2008–2026)
IPL 2008
The rivalry starts with a statement. CSK post 240/5 at Mohali in the very first meeting on April 18, 2008 — still their highest total against PBKS in IPL history. Mike Hussey’s 116* off 54 balls is the kind of innings you build a rivalry around. KXIP (as they were then known) chase 207 but fall 33 short. Lakshmipathy Balaji picks up 5/24, still the best bowling figures in this fixture.
CSK win 2 more that season — a 18-run victory at Chepauk on May 9 and a 9-wicket rout in Mumbai on May 30. PBKS finish 0–3 in 2008, outclassed every time.
IPL 2009
The IPL moves to South Africa due to election scheduling, and CSK make it a clean sweep again. They beat PBKS by 11 runs in Centurion on May 6 and 24 runs in Durban on May 19, where Muttiah Muralitharan takes the Player of the Match award. CSK’s bowling unit, organized and relentless, doesn’t give Punjab an inch across either game.
IPL 2010
The first crack in CSK’s dominance. At Chepauk on March 20, PBKS and CSK end level after 40 overs — 136/8 all — and the first super over in this rivalry goes Punjab’s way. Debutant Rusty Theron bowls Hayden and Raina in the super over, restricting CSK to 9. Mahela Jayawardene hits a six and Yuvraj adds a boundary; Punjab win.
CSK bounce back at Dharamsala on April 18. MS Dhoni plays captain’s knock to win by 6 wickets, chasing PBKS’s 192/3. The season ends 1–1. The tie broken by a super over is one of those moments that makes this fixture worth returning to.
IPL 2011–2013
Three seasons that shape the identity of the rivalry.
In 2011, Paul Valthaty smashes 120* against CSK at Mohali on April 13 in what remains the highest individual score by a PBKS batter in this fixture. CSK post 188/4 but PBKS get home by 6 wickets. A stunning counter-attack from Valthaty on one of those rare days where everything clicks.
2012 belongs entirely to Punjab. They win both games — by 7 runs at Chepauk in April, then by 6 wickets at Dharamsala in May with Adam Gilchrist starring. CSK go 0–2.
2013 is CSK’s best year in the rivalry. On April 9 at Mohali, they win by 10 wickets — their biggest win by wickets against PBKS. Then on May 1 at Chepauk, Suresh Raina scores 100* off 53 balls, his only IPL century. 7 fours, 6 sixes, strike rate above 188. CSK win by 15 runs. Raina doesn’t just win the game; he defines his legacy in this fixture.
IPL 2014
The most consequential year in this rivalry’s history. PBKS win all 3 meetings, including both league games and the Qualifier 2 playoff.
In the league stage, Punjab win at Abu Dhabi by 6 wickets on April 17, then a high-scoring encounter at Cuttack on May 6 ends PBKS 231/4 — their second-highest total against CSK, winning by 44 runs. The decider comes at the Qualifier 2 in Mumbai on May 29 where Punjab eliminate CSK with Virender Sehwag’s 122 and Suresh Raina’s explosive 87 off 25 balls coming in a losing cause.
2014 is Punjab’s year in this fixture.
IPL 2015
CSK’s last season before their 2-year suspension. They make it count. A massive 97-run win at Chepauk on April 24 — CSK post 192/3 (Brendon McCullum 66 off 44) and bowl PBKS out for 95, Ashish Nehra taking 3/23. Then a 7-wicket win at Mohali on May 15 to close the season. CSK go out with a 2–0 sweep.
IPL 2016–2017
CSK and Punjab don’t meet in the IPL. Chennai serve their 2-year ban alongside Rajasthan Royals, suspended over the spot-fixing investigation. The rivalry pauses.
IPL 2018
CSK return and pick up exactly where they left off. PBKS edge a 4-run thriller at Mohali on April 15 — one of the closest finishes in the fixture’s history. CSK win the return leg at Pune on May 20 by 5 wickets, MS Dhoni anchoring the chase. The season finishes 1–1.
IPL 2019–2021
Some of the most dramatic cricket in the fixture’s history across this stretch.
2019: PBKS win at Mohali by 6 wickets on May 5 after CSK win the Chennai opener by 22 runs on April 6. Even.
2020 (UAE, no home crowds): CSK win both. 10 wickets at Dubai on October 4, 9 wickets at Abu Dhabi on November 1. Clinical. Deepak Chahar’s 4-wicket display in one of these games is the sort of thing that wins titles.
2021: PBKS win by 6 wickets at Dubai on October 7 in a late-season encounter. CSK had already secured playoffs; Punjab had nothing but pride. Pride was enough.
IPL 2022
PBKS go on a tear. They win both games in Mumbai by 54 runs (April 3) and 11 runs (April 25). The 54-run demolition at Brabourne is their biggest win over CSK. Ravindra Jadeja’s debut as captain doesn’t go well — CSK fold for 126 chasing 180, slipping to 27/4 inside the powerplay.
IPL 2023
One match, one final-ball thriller. At Chepauk on April 30, CSK post 200/4 behind Devon Conway’s brilliant 92* off 52 balls. PBKS chase it down off the last ball to win by 4 wickets. Sikandar Raza holds his nerve for the winning runs. A gut-punch for Dhoni and company at their own fortress.
IPL 2024
The first time since 2021 that CSK break their losing run against Punjab. May 1 at Chepauk — PBKS win by 7 wickets, chasing CSK’s 162 with ease. Then on May 5 at Dharamsala, CSK flip the script. 167/9 defended, PBKS collapse to 139/9. Ravindra Jadeja takes 3/20. MS Dhoni gets a golden duck but CSK get the win by 28 runs.
IPL 2025
Priyansh Arya at Mullanpur on April 8. 103 off 42 balls — the fastest IPL century by an uncapped player. CSK lose by 18 runs. The return leg at Chennai on April 30 goes the same way, PBKS winning by 4 wickets to knock CSK out of playoff contention. 2025 belongs entirely to Punjab.
IPL 2026
April 3, 2026, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. CSK post 209/5 — their second-highest total against PBKS ever. Vaibhav Mhatre makes 73 off 43 balls before the age of 19. Shivam Dube hits an unbeaten 45. PBKS need 210 in 20 overs.
Priyansh Arya walks out and hits 5 boundaries in the first 6 balls. Punjab are 55/0 after 4 overs. Arya finishes with 39 off 11. PBKS get home by 5 wickets with more than 8 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Priyansh Arya, again. PBKS win their 3rd consecutive game in this fixture.
Read More : Chennai Super Kings Vs Mumbai Indians Timeline
CSK vs PBKS Head-to-Head Record
| Stats | CSK | PBKS |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 33 | 33 |
| Wins | 17 | 16 |
| Losses | 16 | 17 |
| Highest Total | 240/5 (2008, Mohali) | 231/4 (2014, Cuttack) |
| Lowest Total | 120/7 (2012, Dharamsala) | 92/8 (2009, Durban) |
| Biggest Victory | 97 runs (2015, Chepauk) | 54 runs (2022, Brabourne) |
Season-Wise Match Results Table
| Season | Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Apr 18 | CSK | 33 runs | Mohali |
| 2008 | May 9 | CSK | 18 runs | Chepauk |
| 2008 | May 30 | CSK | 9 wickets | Mumbai |
| 2009 | May 6 | CSK | 11 runs | Centurion |
| 2009 | May 19 | CSK | 24 runs | Durban |
| 2010 | Mar 20 | PBKS | Super Over | Chepauk |
| 2010 | Apr 18 | CSK | 6 wickets | Dharamsala |
| 2011 | Apr 13 | PBKS | 6 wickets | Mohali |
| 2012 | Apr 28 | PBKS | 7 runs | Chepauk |
| 2012 | May 17 | PBKS | 6 wickets | Dharamsala |
| 2013 | Apr 9 | CSK | 10 wickets | Mohali |
| 2013 | May 1 | CSK | 15 runs | Chepauk |
| 2014 | Apr 17 | PBKS | 6 wickets | Abu Dhabi |
| 2014 | May 6 | PBKS | 44 runs | Cuttack |
| 2014 | May 29 | PBKS | 24 runs (Q2) | Mumbai |
| 2015 | Apr 24 | CSK | 97 runs | Chepauk |
| 2015 | May 15 | CSK | 7 wickets | Mohali |
| 2018 | Apr 15 | PBKS | 4 runs | Mohali |
| 2018 | May 20 | CSK | 5 wickets | Pune |
| 2019 | Apr 6 | CSK | 22 runs | Chennai |
| 2019 | May 5 | PBKS | 6 wickets | Mohali |
| 2020 | Oct 4 | CSK | 10 wickets | Dubai |
| 2020 | Nov 1 | CSK | 9 wickets | Abu Dhabi |
| 2021 | Apr 16 | CSK | 6 wickets | Mumbai |
| 2021 | Oct 7 | PBKS | 6 wickets | Dubai |
| 2022 | Apr 3 | PBKS | 54 runs | Mumbai |
| 2022 | Apr 25 | PBKS | 11 runs | Mumbai |
| 2023 | Apr 30 | PBKS | 4 wickets | Chennai |
| 2024 | May 1 | PBKS | 7 wickets | Chennai |
| 2024 | May 5 | CSK | 28 runs | Dharamsala |
| 2025 | Apr 8 | PBKS | 18 runs | Mullanpur |
| 2025 | Apr 30 | PBKS | 4 wickets | Chennai |
| 2026 | Apr 3 | PBKS | 5 wickets | Chennai |
Memorable CSK vs PBKS Matches
1. First-ever IPL meeting (April 18, 2008, Mohali)
447 runs across 40 overs. CSK hit 240/5 — still their record against PBKS. Mike Hussey scores 116* off 54 balls. Lakshmipathy Balaji then dismantles PBKS with 5/24, still the best bowling performance in this fixture. The game sets the template for what this rivalry becomes: high scores, big swings, no draws in any sense of the word.
2. The super over thriller (March 20, 2010, Chepauk)
136 all square after 40 overs. In the super over, debutant Rusty Theron bowls Matthew Hayden and Suresh Raina to restrict CSK to 9. Then Mahela Jayawardene smashes a six and Yuvraj adds a boundary. PBKS sneak home. The first super over in this rivalry, and one of the most unpredictable results.
3. Raina’s century (May 1, 2013, Chepauk)
100* off 53 balls. Seven fours, six sixes. Suresh Raina’s only IPL century, scored against Punjab, at Chepauk, when it mattered. He carries CSK to 186 and they win by 15 runs. It remains the defining individual batting performance in this fixture.
4. CSK’s 97-run win (April 24, 2015, Chepauk)
Brendon McCullum’s 66 sets the platform, CSK post 192/3. Ashish Nehra then picks up 3/23 as PBKS are bowled out for 95. The biggest winning margin in the fixture’s history for CSK, and the last time they won at home before the suspension.
5. The Qualifier 2, 2014 (May 29, Mumbai)
Virender Sehwag makes 122. Suresh Raina responds with 87 off 25 balls (strike rate 348) but it isn’t enough. PBKS eliminate CSK from the playoffs. The highest-scoring knockout game in the fixture and one of the most watchable IPL playoff matches ever played.
6. Priyansh Arya’s 103 (April 8, 2025, Mullanpur)
The fastest IPL century by an uncapped player. 103 off 42 balls. Arya walks in and immediately makes every CSK bowler look helpless. PBKS post 219, CSK can’t get there. A coming-of-age performance that announces a new era in this rivalry.
Biggest Wins in CSK vs PBKS History
CSK’s largest victory — 97 runs (April 24, 2015, Chepauk)
CSK post 192/3 and then Ashish Nehra rips through the top order with 3/23. PBKS are bowled out for 95. The margin of 97 runs is the biggest in the fixture. McCullum, Nehra, and a Chepauk crowd that had seen CSK dominate at home for years made this a one-sided afternoon.
PBKS’s largest victory — 54 runs (April 3, 2022, Brabourne)
PBKS post 180/8. CSK collapse to 126 all out, losing half their side for 36. Odean Smith bowls Ravindra Jadeja; Liam Livingstone takes a stunning one-handed catch. CSK are never in the game. Vaibhav Arora, Kagiso Rabada, and Smith do the damage. A comprehensive win that opened a run of 5 PBKS victories in succession.
Top Run Scorers in CSK vs PBKS Matches
| Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Suresh Raina | CSK | 719 |
| MS Dhoni | CSK | 637 |
| Faf du Plessis | CSK | 593 |
| KL Rahul | PBKS | 365 |
| Shaun Marsh | PBKS | 296 |
Raina owns this fixture. 719 runs, the only century in the rivalry (100* in 2013), and consistently the difference-maker across CSK’s dominant early years. Dhoni at 637 is remarkable given he bats at 5 or 6. Faf contributed across his 3 seasons at CSK. For Punjab, KL Rahul’s 365 came in 3 seasons and had an average that rivals any opener in the fixture.
Leading Wicket-Takers in CSK vs PBKS Encounters
| Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Ravichandran Ashwin | CSK/PBKS | 20 |
| Dwayne Bravo | CSK | 18 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | CSK | 17 |
| Albie Morkel | CSK | 12 |
| Shardul Thakur | CSK | 12 |
| Piyush Chawla | PBKS | 9 |
Ashwin leads, having played for both sides at different stages of his career. Bravo at 18 wickets made the death overs his hunting ground in this fixture for years. Jadeja at 17 is the active leader for CSK, and his 3/20 in Dharamsala in 2024 ended a long losing streak in the fixture. Mohammed Shami, while a regular IPL bowler over many seasons, picked up wickets against CSK in the 2022 run. Lakshmipathy Balaji’s 5/24 in 2008 remains the single best match bowling performance.
Venue-Wise CSK vs PBKS Record
Matches in Chennai (MA Chidambaram Stadium)
| Matches Played | CSK Wins | PBKS Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 4 | 5 |
Chepauk used to be a fortress — CSK won 4 of the first 6 there. But PBKS have flipped it recently, winning 3 in a row between 2023 and 2026. A ground that used to favour the home side no longer does when PBKS visit.
Matches in Mohali/Mullanpur (PCA/MYS Stadium)
| Matches Played | CSK Wins | PBKS Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 3 | 4 |
Mohali has a slight Punjab edge. CSK stole wins there in 2013 and 2015, but since the move to Mullanpur, PBKS have been strong.
Matches in Dharamsala (HPCA)
| Matches Played | CSK Wins | PBKS Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 |
CSK’s best away venue in this fixture.
Neutral Venues (UAE, Mumbai, Pune, others)
Broadly split, though CSK’s clean sweeps in the 2020 UAE season (2 wins by massive margins) pushed their neutral-venue record ahead.
Captain Comparison: CSK vs PBKS
| Captain | Team | Matches | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | CSK | 24 | 14 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK | 7 | 3 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | CSK | 2 | 0 |
| Shikhar Dhawan | PBKS | 4 | 3 |
| Shreyas Iyer | PBKS | 4 | 4 |
| Sam Curran | PBKS | 4 | 2 |
| David Miller / Adam Gilchrist era | PBKS | varied | varied |
Dhoni’s 14 wins in 24 games as captain is the standout number — a 58% win rate against one particular opponent across 16 years. Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten record in 2025 (4 wins from 4 as PBKS captain against CSK) tells you why Punjab enter 2026 with so much confidence.
Highest Team Totals in CSK vs PBKS Matches
| Team | Score | Season | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSK | 240/5 | 2008 | Mohali |
| PBKS | 231/4 | 2014 | Cuttack |
| PBKS | 226/6 | 2014 | Wankhede |
| PBKS | 219/6 | 2025 | Mullanpur |
| CSK | 209/5 | 2026 | Chennai |
Lowest Team Totals in CSK vs PBKS Matches
| Team | Score | Season | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBKS | 92/8 | 2009 | Durban |
| PBKS | 95 | 2015 | Chepauk |
| CSK | 120/7 | 2012 | Dharamsala |
| CSK | 126/10 | 2022 | Brabourne |
Key Records and Statistics
Most runs in the rivalry: Suresh Raina — 719 runs (CSK)
Most wickets: Ravichandran Ashwin — 20 wickets (CSK/PBKS)
Highest individual score (batting): Mike Hussey — 116* off 54 balls (CSK, 2008, Mohali)
Highest individual score (PBKS): Virender Sehwag — 122 (2014, Qualifier 2)
Best bowling figures: Lakshmipathy Balaji — 5/24 (CSK, 2008)
Fastest fifty: Suresh Raina’s 87 off 25 balls in Qualifier 2, 2014 gets closest, but Priyansh Arya’s 103 off 42 balls in 2025 is the most explosive individual performance in the fixture
Most Player of the Match awards: Suresh Raina (multiple), closely followed by MS Dhoni
Highest partnership: Not officially documented in one source, but Sehwag–Miller in 2014 was the most match-defining
Most sixes: MS Dhoni across 24+ games as captain in this fixture
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Rivalry: Key Turning Points
The early CSK dominance
From 2008 to 2010, CSK win 7 of the first 8 meetings. Muralitharan, Balaji, and Mathews do the bowling damage while Hussey, Hayden, and Raina anchor the batting. Punjab are competitive but rarely close.
Punjab’s comeback years: 2012 and 2014
2012 gives PBKS their first 2-0 season sweep against CSK. 2014 goes further — 3 wins including the Qualifier 2 elimination. Sehwag’s 122 ends CSK’s season. That playoff exit shapes the narrative for years after.
Dhoni’s finishing masterclasses
2020 in the UAE. Two games, two wins, 10 wickets and 9 wickets respectively. CSK don’t just beat PBKS; they erase them from the scorecard. Deepak Chahar with the ball, Faf du Plessis up top, and Dhoni with whatever the situation needs. Those games represent the height of CSK’s tactical control in this fixture.
Modern-era PBKS domination
From October 2021 to April 2026, PBKS win 7 out of 8 meetings. Chepauk stops being a CSK stronghold. Priyansh Arya announces himself. The balance of power has tipped — at least for now.
FAQs
Who has won more matches between Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings?
CSK lead 17–16 across 33 IPL meetings, making it the most evenly split major rivalry in the tournament.
What was the first CSK vs PBKS match in IPL history?
April 18, 2008 at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. CSK won by 33 runs, posting 240/5 with Mike Hussey scoring 116*.
Which player has scored the most runs in CSK vs PBKS matches?
Suresh Raina with 719 runs. He also scored the only century in the fixture — 100* off 53 balls at Chepauk in 2013.
Which bowler has taken the most wickets in the rivalry?
Ravichandran Ashwin with 20 wickets, having played for both CSK and PBKS at different points in his career. Dwayne Bravo leads for CSK alone with 18.
What is CSK’s highest score against Punjab Kings?
240/5, scored at Mohali in 2008. It remains the highest team total in this fixture.
What is Punjab Kings’ highest score against Chennai Super Kings?
231/4, scored at Cuttack in 2014 during a 44-run win.
Which CSK vs PBKS match had the closest finish?
3 candidates: The super over at Chepauk in 2010, PBKS’s 4-run win at Mohali in 2018, and PBKS’s last-ball win at Chepauk in 2023. The 4-run finish in 2018 is the tightest margin, but the 2023 last-ball chase at Chepauk is the most dramatic.
Where can I check the latest Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings timeline?
ESPNcricinfo and CricTracker maintain updated head-to-head logs. The BCCI’s official IPL website (iplt20.com) carries match reports for every game from 2008 onwards.
