Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings timeline : One of the fiercest rivalries in Indian Premier League history. Since the tournament’s inception in 2008, it is safe to say that RCB and CSK have been involved in close finishes, high-scoring games, playoff battles and other iconic moments against each other.
The storied history of this rivalry has almost always favoured the Chennai Super Kings. If head-to-head records are to go by, CSK vs RCB have met in 35 IPL matches so far, with Chennai winning 21 while Bengaluru winning on14 occasions. But it is the most recent pattern that has been heavily in RCB’s favour, with Bengaluru winning their last four clashes – including as recent as 2026.
If you were looking for the complete Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline, here’s a season-by-season overview of their rivalry with key results and highlights.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline
History of the Rivalry: The rivalry began in 2008 which was the inaugural season of IPL. Even since, the two teams have faced off in league stages and finals matches.
Below is a simplified summary by season:
| IPL Season | CSK Wins | RCB Wins | Major Result |
| 2008 | 1 | 1 | Both teams won once |
| 2009 | 1 | 2 | RCB won two of three |
| 2010 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2011 | 3 | 1 | CSK dominated |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | CSK won one; one no-result |
| 2013 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | CSK won all three |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | CSK won both |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | CSK won one; RCB won one |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | CSK won both |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | CSK won by 8 runs |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | One win each |
| 2025 | 0 | 2 | RCB won both |
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | RCB won by 43 runs |
Here are their season-by-season records so you can see how the rivalry has evolved over the years. CSK had the upper hand in the first and when they were at their most fluent, whilst RCB has always taken an overwhelming advantage in this latest phase of these meetings.
RCB vs CSK First Match in 2008
IPL 2008: The first chapter of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline
Chennai has taken the lead in what is always an interesting rivalry by winning the first meeting, also at home but just 13 runs. In the return fixture, though, RCB avenged their loss and overcame CSK by 14 runs.
Hence the inaugural IPL season between both sides finished one-one.
The meetings in 2008 saw the foundation for a rivalry that would come to mean all the more as both franchises built up large followings and began regularly reaching latter stages of the IPL.
RCB vs CSK Timeline: 2009 and 2010
There were three encounters from the two during the 2009 campaign. CSK thrashed RCB by a landslide margin of 92 runs, which is still Chennai’s largest triumph in terms of runs over RCB.
In response, Bengaluru performed well, winning the other two contests. RCB managed to secure a two-wicket victory in one game and six wickets win the second time.
In 2010, the two teams again split their meetings. Billings starred for CSK with his four and fifties, as the four- equal to RCB’s HDRs tally (five in Bengaluru).
The rivalry was becoming decidedly more competitive in those seasons.
2011: A Major Turning Point in the RCB vs CSK Rivalry
One of the most notable chapters in Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline is going to be the 2011 season
The two squads faced each other several times, including in the playoffs. CSK had tamed RCB in Qualifier 1, before facing off against Bengaluru yet again in the IPL final.
CSK were unstoppable in the final, winning by 58 runs against RCB.
They have never met in an IPL final until the 2011 edition, which is when Chennai won their championship decider. CSK also beat RCB in the Qualifier 1 of 2011.
2012 to 2015: Chennai Super Kings Dominate
Chennai generally had the upper hand in their rivalry from 2012 through to 2015.
Of the four matches that were held, CSK won one outright and two others were washed out. Their matches were shared in both 2013 and 2014.
The 2015 season was a defining one since CSK overcame RCB all three times they faced off. Besides, in Qualifier 2 Chennai also managed to beat Bengaluru and continued their domination in big matches.
Playoff pedigree, clearly, is a big reason why CSK have historically led as an overall rival against RCB.
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RCB vs CSK Timeline: 2018 and 2019
The rivalry continued when CSK made a return to the IPL in 2018.
In 2018, Chennai won both the games against RCB. CSK had the first bragging rights when they defeated RCB by seven wickets in 2019, before RCB marked its return to form with a memorable win in Bengaluru.
The 2019 match is iconic for its thrilling conclusion. Chennai Super Kings had to chase down only a handful of runs in the last over but showed composure, sneaking past CSK by a solitary run.
Now it is one of the closest and most memorable finishes in the RCB-CSK rivalry.
Matches between RCB and CSK from 2020 to 2023
The competition was fierce into the early 2020s.
CSK vs RCB 2020: CSK won match 1 CSK and RCB tackled each other in the 2020 season. One of the meetings was won by RCB by 37 runs and CSK clinched the other one with an eight-wicket win.
Both CSK wins came in 2021. In the first encounter, Chennai had beaten Bengaluru by 69 runs and then went on to win by six wickets.
The teams ended up splitting the season in 2022. CSK claimed a 23-run victory, while RCB returned the favor with a 13-run win.
CSK won by a nail biting finish in a high scoring game by 8 runs in the year 2023. Chennai was able to score 226 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, then RCB managed to finish on only 218 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.
2024: RCB Make a Strong Comeback
Another bizarre turn of events occurred — between Delhi and Kolkata — on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline in 2024.
The first match was won by CSK in Chennai, by six wickets RCB recovered to pull off a defeat for themselves in the other leg at Bengaluru.
CSK scored 192/8 and RCB won by 27 runs. It was an iconic result too, as it confirmed RCB’s place in the playoffs, while it brought a fraught CSK campaign to come crashing to an end.
That match turned out to be one of the most significant recent fixtures in between the two sides.
2025: RCB Win Both Matches Against CSK
It was a seismic shift in the recent RCB vs CSK rivalry that began in the 2025 season.
Delhi beat Chennai by 50 runs in their first meeting at RCB here. This result was important because it gave RCB their first win in many years at Chepauk.
In the return fixture at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru secured a second consecutive win against Chennai, edging them by just 2 runs
With RCB making 213/5, CSK scored 211/5. It also provided Bengaluru another significant win in this rivalry as the hosts won by two wickets. Both the matches in 2025 are accounted in IPL’s records as RCB wins.
RCB vs CSK Latest Match: 2026
The most recent installment of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline arrived on April 5, 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
It was the run-feast in RCB batting display as they set 250/3 in 20 over. The chase came unstuck for Chennai and they were bundled out for 207.
Hence, RCB won the match by 43 runs.
The win is historic as it extends the winning streak of Bengaluru over Chennai to four consecutive matches. The prior three victories came in 2024 and 2025.
RCB vs CSK Head-to-Head Record
Chennai Super Kings still lead the overall head to head record.
| Head-to-Head Statistic | Record |
| Matches Played | 35 |
| CSK Wins | 21 |
| RCB Wins | 14 |
| No Result | 0 |
| First Meeting | 2008 |
| Latest Meeting | April 5, 2026 |
| Latest Winner | RCB |
| Latest Margin | 43 runs |
| CSK Win Percentage | 60% |
Historically, CSK have been dominant in their meetings with KXIP, winning 21 of the 35 contests. However, RCB has won each of the last four matches where there are results.
RCB vs CSK Biggest Wins
There have been some lopsided wins for each team in this rivalry.
Biggest win (by runs): Chennai beat RCB by 92 runs (2009)
Largest WinMargin: RCB – 50 runs. Bengaluru beat Chennai, 2025
RCB’s biggest win against CSK by 43 runs in 2026.
RCB vs CSK Playoff History
One of the key parts that features in Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline is the playoff record.
Both teams have played against each other recently in a handful of crucial knockout matches:
- 2009 – RCB by 6 wickets (S/B)
- 2011 Qualifier – 1, CSK won by 6 wickets.
- 2011 Final: CSK by 58 runs
- CSK chased down 98 in Qualifier 2, 2015 with just three wickets in hand
Thus, Chennai has a better overall playoff record vs Bengaluru. That 2011 final is still their biggest knockout win against RCB.
RCB vs CSK – One of the Biggest IPL Rivalries
The rivalry of RCB vs CSK does not just look familiar based on data.
The rivalry has immense fan-following, and these two franchises have had some of the biggest names in IPL history. Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni have been the respective faces of that clash for years now, which adds another element to the rivalry.
In addition, both have two very different histories. CSK have traditionally been identified as a franchise that embodies consistency and playoffs while RCB is an enthusiastic team known for their attacking flairs and fans.
CSK v RCB rivalry The combination of the marquee players, their contrasting personalities and individual brilliance has ensured that every match between RCB and CSK is a must watch IPL fixture.
Recent RCB vs CSK Head-to-Head Record
The overall numbers tell a different story than recent history.
Out of their previous five meetings, RCB have won four matches while CSK has one. The results
| Date | Winner | Margin |
| March 22, 2024 | CSK | 6 wickets |
| May 18, 2024 | RCB | 27 runs |
| March 28, 2025 | RCB | 50 runs |
| May 3, 2025 | RCB | 2 runs |
| April 5, 2026 | RCB | 43 runs |
This most recent stretch shows how far the rivalry itself has changed.
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FAQs: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline
1. When did RCB and CSK first play against each other?
RCB and CSK first met during the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
2. Who has won more RCB vs CSK matches?
Chennai Super Kings have won more matches. CSK have 21 wins, while RCB have 14 wins in 35 meetings.
3. Who won the latest RCB vs CSK match?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the latest match by 43 runs on April 5, 2026.
4. What is RCB’s biggest win against CSK?
RCB’s biggest win by runs against CSK is a 50-run victory, achieved in 2025.
5. What is CSK’s biggest win against RCB?
CSK’s biggest victory against RCB came in 2009 when Chennai won by 92 runs.
6. How many times have RCB and CSK played in the IPL?
RCB and CSK have played 35 IPL matches through the 2026 season.
7. Who has the better recent record, RCB or CSK?
RCB have the better recent record. Bengaluru have won the last four meetings between the two teams.
Conclusion
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline: Match that remains etched in memory, Last ball finishes & playoff epic battles.
CSK, however, have a better overall head-to-head record in the IPL with 21 wins compared to RCB’s 14 from 35 meetings. But it is well-acknowledged now that the momentum favours Bengaluru at this point. RCB beat Chennai by 43 runs at Chennai in 2026, and have now beaten them four times on the bounce.
RCB vs CSK: The Frontiers of the Greatest Rivalry in Cricket, From Their First Meeting in 2008 to Latest Contest in 2026 Having such big backings of the fan base, along with a long and fierce history stretching back through the core of both sides this is one fixture that never seems to fade away from being one of the key fixtures in the IPL.
