The Indian Premier League is by far the most star-studded T20 league in the world. Every year, all 8 teams face each other twice and the top 4 teams qualify to the playoff stages. While all matches should be equally important as a win in any match yields two points, some matches are more feisty than others.

These rivalries are sometimes created off the field by opposing fans but they are often created on the field. Rivalries are sometimes also formed between two successful teams as they want to get the bragging rights of the league.

Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/kolkata-knight-riders-delhi-capitals-bring-out-humour-after-lionel-messi-bids-barcelona-goodbye/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kolkata Knight Riders</a>, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians have lifted the trophy in IPL history so far. Initially, some rivalries were city-based but as time progressed the rivalry kept getting intense. The teams would look to give their 110 per cent in such games and this also helps them build a loyal fan base. Fans would always wait for such contests with bated breaths and support their teams to the hilt.

There have been a lot of memorable matches with some breathtaking performances throughout the 12 years of the IPL. Rivalries are a part of the sport and there have been some classic encounters between IPL teams. While some rivalries are one-sided, others go right down to the wire. In the last 12 years, IPL has witnessed fierce competition between franchises, giving rise to an IPL rivalry between the two sides.

Here’s a look at top five IPL rivalries in the history of the league:

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-326282" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Axar-Patel.jpg" alt="Axar Patel" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-326282" class="wp-caption-text">Delhi Capitals&#8217; Axar Patel. (Photo Source: IANS)</figcaption>

Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils) don&#8217;t have the most obvious rivalry in the IPL. It makes this list mainly because of the rivalry between the two cities. Mumbai and Delhi are the two biggest cities in India. While Delhi is the capital, Mumbai is the financial capital of the country. This rivalry is given the term &#8220;battle of heavyweights&#8221; in the inaugural season of the IPL.

While one of the above teams has won the IPL a record four times, the other has had a disappointing decade after showing strong promises in the initial seasons. Although <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/3-reasons-why-mumbai-indians-cant-defend-their-ipl-title-in-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mumbai Indians</a> look the far superior side considering their IPL track record, their H2H against Delhi Capitals suggests otherwise. They have played 24 times against each other and share the cake with 12 wins each. In fact, Mumbai is one of the few teams against which Delhi Daredevils have had a good winning track record.

Both the teams have never played against each other in the play-offs. In this year both the teams look very strong on paper and will be looking to win the trophy. In MI v DC games, MI skipper Rohit Sharma has been the highest run-scorer with 516 runs at an average of 36.86 in 16 matches. Lasith Malinga is the highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets in 12 matches.

4. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-362321" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Gautam-Gambhir-and-Virat-Kohli.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-362321" class="wp-caption-text">Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

This is one of the most feisty rivalries and should arguably rank higher on this list. This rivalry started on the first day of the inaugural season in 2008. Brendon McCullum had lit up that match with a belligerent 158, with KKR destroying the “test team” RCB. Royal Challengers Bangalore just couldn&#8217;t recover after that huge loss and finished the season on 7th position.

Kolkata Knight Riders are the third most successful team in the IPL, whilst Royal Challengers Bangalore are yet to win the trophy. Chris Gayle, a major reject of KKR, joined RCB midway through the 2011 campaign and has gone on to establish himself as one of the best batsmen in IPL history. KKR hold the aces when it comes to H2H as they have won the encounter 15 times out of the 25 matches they have been involved in.

There have been sparks flying all around every time these two teams meet at the center. The infamous fight between the then KKR captain<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/there-was-a-dog-fight-for-gautam-gambhir-kkr-ceo-on-buying-the-opener-in-ipl-2011-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Gautam Gambhir </a>and the current RCB captain Virat Kohli stands testimony to the above statements. In RCB vs KKR games, India captain Virat Kohli has been the highest run-scorer with 674 runs at an average of 35.47 in 22 innings. Sunil Narine is the highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 14 matches.

3. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-439457" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Kolkata-Night-Riders-vs-Mumbai-Indians.jpg" alt="Kolkata Night Riders vs Mumbai Indians" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-439457" class="wp-caption-text">Kolkata Night Riders vs Mumbai Indians (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

During the period between 2012 and 2015, the monopoly of the IPL trophy was handled by the Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians as both the teams won 2 trophies in alternate years. KKR won it in 2012 and 2014 whereas MI won it in 2013 and 2015. Since then Mumbai Indians have won 2 more titles but the rivalry between the side is still prevalent.

As they faced each other last season, KKR had one of their best performances of all time against eventual champions MI. Russell smashed 8 huge sixes and six boundaries in his belligerent 40-ball 80* to help KKR to a whopping 232/2 in 20 overs. During the chase, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/blessed-to-have-you-both-hardik-pandya-missing-his-two-angels-natasa-and-agastya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hardik Pandya</a> almost took the game away from their grasp with his knock of 91 coming in just 34 balls but the required run rate had climbed a bit too much, leaving MI fall way short of the target.

This rivalry has often played out in Mumbai&#8217;s favour as they have won 19 games compared to Kolkata&#8217;s 6 wins but has been known league-wide as an exciting match-up. Both the teams have also got their 100th T20 win at the expense of the other team by defeating them in the process. Rohit Sharma leads the scoring charts in MI vs KKR matches with a massive 708 runs under his belt. Sunil Narine (21) edges Lasith Malinga (20) for the most wickets taken.

2. Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-328640" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Colin-de-Grandhomme.jpg" alt="Colin de Grandhomme" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-328640" class="wp-caption-text">Colin de Grandhomme. (Photo: IANS)</figcaption>

Also known as the Ashes of South, CSK-RCB rivalry takes up the 2nd spot. This could be considered as a South Indian derby, as these are two of the biggest cities in that part of the country. The intensity of rivalry is also due to political differences between the two states regarding the Cauvery River. With some of the most renowned superstars featuring on both sides, CSK vs RCB contests tends to produce fireworks on the field.

While there isn’t a great competition between the two teams, it is majorly due to the popularity of their respective captains that RCB-CSK rivalry is hugely hyped among the fans. The two teams have clashed 24 times in the IPL where CSK has emerged victorious 16 times and RCB have won 7 times, with one match ending as a no result. They have also played in a final once, with CSK ending up on the winning side.

During the 2012 edition, CSK faced a mammoth task of chasing 206 against RCB but <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/with-all-due-respect-virat-kohli-shouldnt-have-bowled-albie-morkel-recalls-his-28-run-over-against-rcb-in-ipl-2012/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Albie Morkel</a> smashed Virat Kohli for 28 runs in a single over which gave them the victory from a very tough position in the game. In CSK vs RCB games, RCB talisman Virat Kohli has been the highest run-scorer with 761 runs at an average of 36.24 in 24 innings. Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel is the highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 13 matches.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-355173" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CT_352021.jpg" alt width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-355173" class="wp-caption-text">Mumbai Indians&#8217; Rahul Chahar (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption>

The best two teams in IPL take up the top spot. Mumbai had a couple of offseasons earlier on, but ever since Rohit Sharma took over the captaincy in 2013, fortunes changed for the team. Chennai Super Kings have been the most consistent team in IPL history as they have always qualified for the playoffs. Mumbai Indians are the most successful team with 4 IPL trophies to their name. Together, they have 7 IPL trophies which are 2 more than all other teams combined.

The two teams have played each other 30 times which is the most number of times any two IPL teams have faced off with the Mumbai Indians having more victories (18). The highest runs scorer from these two teams is Suresh Raina (722 runs) of the Super Kings while the leading wicket-taker is <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/reports-lasith-malinga-unlikely-to-feature-in-ipl-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lasith Malinga</a> (36) of Mumbai Indians. The rivalry is often referred to as the El Clasico of IPL. They have gone toe to toe against each other in 4 finals and Mumbai Indians have won 3 of them.

Having two of the most successful cricketers in Indian cricket history in CSK&#8217;s MS Dhoni and MI&#8217;s Sachin Tendulkar, the rivalry was enhanced since IPL&#8217;s inception. They will play the inaugural match in this year&#8217;s IPL. In the most recent encounter, Mumbai Indians emerged victorious in the IPL 2019 final vs CSK in a last-ball thriller in Hyderabad.

The Indian Premier League is by far the most star-studded T20 league in the world. Every year, all 8 teams face each other twice and the top 4 teams qualify to the playoff stages. While all matches should be equally important as a win in any match yields two points, some matches are more feisty than others.
These rivalries are sometimes created off the field by opposing fans but they are often created on the field. Rivalries are sometimes also formed between two successful teams as they want to get the bragging rights of the league.
Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/kolkata-knight-riders-delhi-capitals-bring-out-humour-after-lionel-messi-bids-barcelona-goodbye/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kolkata Knight Riders</a>, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians&nbsp;have lifted the trophy in IPL history so far. Initially, some rivalries were city-based but as time progressed the rivalry kept getting intense. The teams would look to give their 110 per cent in such games and this also helps them build a loyal fan base. Fans would always wait for such contests with bated breaths and support their teams to the hilt.
There have been a lot of memorable matches with some breathtaking performances throughout the 12 years of the IPL. Rivalries are a part of the sport and there have been some classic encounters between IPL teams. While some rivalries are one-sided, others go right down to the wire. In the last 12 years, IPL has witnessed fierce competition between franchises, giving rise to an IPL rivalry between the two sides.
Here’s a look at top five IPL rivalries in the history of the league:
<h3>5. Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals</h3>
<figure id="attachment_326282" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-326282" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-326282" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Axar-Patel.jpg" alt="Axar Patel" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-326282" class="wp-caption-text">Delhi Capitals’ Axar Patel. (Photo Source: IANS)</figcaption></figure>
Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils) don’t have the most obvious rivalry in the IPL. It makes this list mainly because of the rivalry between the two cities. Mumbai and Delhi are the two biggest cities in India. While Delhi is the capital, Mumbai is the financial capital of the country. This rivalry is given the term “battle of heavyweights” in the inaugural season of the IPL.
While one of the above teams has won the IPL a record four times, the other has had a disappointing decade after showing strong promises in the initial seasons. Although <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/3-reasons-why-mumbai-indians-cant-defend-their-ipl-title-in-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mumbai Indians</a> look the far superior side considering their IPL track record, their H2H against Delhi Capitals suggests otherwise. They have played 24 times against each other and share the cake with 12 wins each. In fact, Mumbai is one of the few teams against which Delhi Daredevils have had a good winning track record.
Both the teams have never played against each other in the play-offs. In this year both the teams look very strong on paper and will be looking to win the trophy. In MI v DC games, MI skipper Rohit Sharma has been the highest run-scorer with 516 runs at an average of 36.86 in 16 matches. Lasith Malinga is the highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets in 12 matches.

<h3>4. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders</h3>
<figure id="attachment_362321" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-362321" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-362321" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Gautam-Gambhir-and-Virat-Kohli.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-362321" class="wp-caption-text">Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
This is one of the most feisty rivalries and should arguably rank higher on this list. This rivalry started on the first day of the inaugural season in 2008. Brendon McCullum had lit up that match with a belligerent 158, with KKR destroying the “test team” RCB. Royal Challengers Bangalore just couldn’t recover after that huge loss and finished the season on 7th position.
Kolkata Knight Riders are the third most successful team in the IPL, whilst Royal Challengers Bangalore are yet to win the trophy. Chris Gayle, a major reject of KKR, joined RCB midway through the 2011 campaign and has gone on to establish himself as one of the best batsmen in IPL history. KKR hold the aces when it comes to H2H as they have won the encounter 15 times out of the 25 matches they have been involved in.
There have been sparks flying all around every time these two teams meet at the center. The infamous fight between the then KKR captain<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/there-was-a-dog-fight-for-gautam-gambhir-kkr-ceo-on-buying-the-opener-in-ipl-2011-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Gautam Gambhir </a>and the current RCB captain Virat Kohli stands testimony to the above statements. In RCB vs KKR games, India captain Virat Kohli has been the highest run-scorer with 674 runs at an average of 35.47 in 22 innings. Sunil Narine is the highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 14 matches.

<h3>3. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians</h3>
<figure id="attachment_439457" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-439457" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-439457" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Kolkata-Night-Riders-vs-Mumbai-Indians.jpg" alt="Kolkata Night Riders vs Mumbai Indians" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-439457" class="wp-caption-text">Kolkata Night Riders vs Mumbai Indians (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
During the period between 2012 and 2015, the monopoly of the IPL trophy was handled by the Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians as both the teams won 2 trophies in alternate years. KKR won it in 2012 and 2014 whereas MI won it in 2013 and 2015. Since then Mumbai Indians have won 2 more titles but the rivalry between the side is still prevalent.
As they faced each other last season, KKR had one of their best performances of all time against eventual champions MI. Russell smashed 8 huge sixes and six boundaries in his belligerent 40-ball 80* to help KKR to a whopping 232/2 in 20 overs. During the chase, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/blessed-to-have-you-both-hardik-pandya-missing-his-two-angels-natasa-and-agastya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hardik Pandya</a> almost took the game away from their grasp with his knock of 91 coming in just 34 balls but the required run rate had climbed a bit too much, leaving MI fall way short of the target.
This rivalry has often played out in Mumbai’s favour as they have won 19 games compared to Kolkata’s 6 wins but has been known league-wide as an exciting match-up. Both the teams have also got their 100th T20 win at the expense of the other team by defeating them in the process. Rohit Sharma leads the scoring charts in MI vs KKR matches with a massive 708 runs under his belt. Sunil Narine (21) edges Lasith Malinga (20) for the most wickets taken.

<h3>2. Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore</h3>
<figure id="attachment_328640" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-328640" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-328640" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Colin-de-Grandhomme.jpg" alt="Colin de Grandhomme" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-328640" class="wp-caption-text">Colin de Grandhomme. (Photo: IANS)</figcaption></figure>
Also known as the Ashes of South, CSK-RCB rivalry takes up the 2nd spot. This could be considered as a South Indian derby, as these are two of the biggest cities in that part of the country. The intensity of rivalry is also due to political differences between the two states regarding the Cauvery River. With some of the most renowned superstars featuring on both sides, CSK vs RCB contests tends to produce fireworks on the field.
While there isn’t a great competition between the two teams, it is majorly due to the popularity of their respective captains that RCB-CSK rivalry is hugely hyped among the fans. The two teams have clashed 24 times in the IPL where CSK has emerged victorious 16 times and RCB have won 7 times, with one match ending as a no result. They have also played in a final once, with CSK ending up on the winning side.
During the 2012 edition, CSK faced a mammoth task of chasing 206 against RCB but <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/with-all-due-respect-virat-kohli-shouldnt-have-bowled-albie-morkel-recalls-his-28-run-over-against-rcb-in-ipl-2012/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Albie Morkel</a> smashed&nbsp;Virat Kohli for 28 runs in a single over which gave them the victory from a very tough position in the game. In CSK vs RCB games, RCB talisman Virat Kohli has been the highest run-scorer with 761 runs at an average of 36.24 in 24 innings. Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel is the highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 13 matches.

<h3>1. Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings</h3>
<figure id="attachment_355173" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-355173" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-355173" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CT_352021.jpg" alt width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-355173" class="wp-caption-text">Mumbai Indians’ Rahul Chahar (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption></figure>
The best two teams in IPL take up the top spot. Mumbai had a couple of offseasons earlier on, but ever since Rohit Sharma took over the captaincy in 2013, fortunes changed for the team. Chennai Super Kings have been the most consistent team in IPL history as they have always qualified for the playoffs. Mumbai Indians are the most successful team with 4 IPL trophies to their name. Together, they have 7 IPL trophies which are 2 more than all other teams combined.
The two teams have played each other 30 times which is the most number of times any two IPL teams have faced off with the Mumbai Indians having more victories (18). The highest runs scorer from these two teams is&nbsp;Suresh Raina (722 runs) of the Super Kings while the leading wicket-taker is <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/reports-lasith-malinga-unlikely-to-feature-in-ipl-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lasith Malinga</a> (36)&nbsp;of Mumbai Indians. The rivalry is often referred to as the El Clasico of IPL. They have gone toe to toe against each other in 4 finals and Mumbai Indians have won 3 of them.
Having two of the most successful cricketers in Indian cricket history in CSK’s MS Dhoni and MI’s Sachin Tendulkar, the rivalry was enhanced since IPL’s inception. They will play the inaugural match in this year’s IPL. In the most recent encounter, Mumbai Indians emerged victorious in the IPL 2019 final vs CSK in a last-ball thriller in Hyderabad.

The Indian Premier League is by far the most star-studded T20 league in the world. Every year, all 8 teams face each other twice and the top 4 teams qualify to the playoff stages. While all matches should be equally important as a win in any match yields two points, some matches are more feisty than others.
These rivalries are sometimes created off the field by opposing fans but they are often created on the field. Rivalries are sometimes also formed between two successful teams as they want to get the bragging rights of the league.
Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/kolkata-knight-riders-delhi-capitals-bring-out-humour-after-lionel-messi-bids-barcelona-goodbye/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kolkata Knight Riders</a>, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians have lifted the trophy in IPL history so far. Initially, some rivalries were city-based but as time progressed the rivalry kept getting intense. The teams would look to give their 110 per cent in such games and this also helps them build a loyal fan base. Fans would always wait for such contests with bated breaths and support their teams to the hilt.
There have been a lot of memorable matches with some breathtaking performances throughout the 12 years of the IPL. Rivalries are a part of the sport and there have been some classic encounters between IPL teams. While some rivalries are one-sided, others go right down to the wire. In the last 12 years, IPL has witnessed fierce competition between franchises, giving rise to an IPL rivalry between the two sides.
Here’s a look at top five IPL rivalries in the history of the league:
<h3>5. Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals</h3>
<figure id="attachment_326282" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-326282" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-326282" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Axar-Patel.jpg" alt="Axar Patel" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-326282" class="wp-caption-text">Delhi Capitals&#8217; Axar Patel. (Photo Source: IANS)</figcaption></figure>
Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils) don&#8217;t have the most obvious rivalry in the IPL. It makes this list mainly because of the rivalry between the two cities. Mumbai and Delhi are the two biggest cities in India. While Delhi is the capital, Mumbai is the financial capital of the country. This rivalry is given the term &#8220;battle of heavyweights&#8221; in the inaugural season of the IPL.
While one of the above teams has won the IPL a record four times, the other has had a disappointing decade after showing strong promises in the initial seasons. Although <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/3-reasons-why-mumbai-indians-cant-defend-their-ipl-title-in-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mumbai Indians</a> look the far superior side considering their IPL track record, their H2H against Delhi Capitals suggests otherwise. They have played 24 times against each other and share the cake with 12 wins each. In fact, Mumbai is one of the few teams against which Delhi Daredevils have had a good winning track record.
Both the teams have never played against each other in the play-offs. In this year both the teams look very strong on paper and will be looking to win the trophy. In MI v DC games, MI skipper Rohit Sharma has been the highest run-scorer with 516 runs at an average of 36.86 in 16 matches. Lasith Malinga is the highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets in 12 matches.

<h3>4. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders</h3>
<figure id="attachment_362321" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-362321" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-362321" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Gautam-Gambhir-and-Virat-Kohli.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-362321" class="wp-caption-text">Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
This is one of the most feisty rivalries and should arguably rank higher on this list. This rivalry started on the first day of the inaugural season in 2008. Brendon McCullum had lit up that match with a belligerent 158, with KKR destroying the “test team” RCB. Royal Challengers Bangalore just couldn&#8217;t recover after that huge loss and finished the season on 7th position.
Kolkata Knight Riders are the third most successful team in the IPL, whilst Royal Challengers Bangalore are yet to win the trophy. Chris Gayle, a major reject of KKR, joined RCB midway through the 2011 campaign and has gone on to establish himself as one of the best batsmen in IPL history. KKR hold the aces when it comes to H2H as they have won the encounter 15 times out of the 25 matches they have been involved in.
There have been sparks flying all around every time these two teams meet at the center. The infamous fight between the then KKR captain<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/there-was-a-dog-fight-for-gautam-gambhir-kkr-ceo-on-buying-the-opener-in-ipl-2011-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Gautam Gambhir </a>and the current RCB captain Virat Kohli stands testimony to the above statements. In RCB vs KKR games, India captain Virat Kohli has been the highest run-scorer with 674 runs at an average of 35.47 in 22 innings. Sunil Narine is the highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 14 matches.

<h3>3. Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians</h3>
<figure id="attachment_439457" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-439457" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-439457" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Kolkata-Night-Riders-vs-Mumbai-Indians.jpg" alt="Kolkata Night Riders vs Mumbai Indians" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-439457" class="wp-caption-text">Kolkata Night Riders vs Mumbai Indians (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
During the period between 2012 and 2015, the monopoly of the IPL trophy was handled by the Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians as both the teams won 2 trophies in alternate years. KKR won it in 2012 and 2014 whereas MI won it in 2013 and 2015. Since then Mumbai Indians have won 2 more titles but the rivalry between the side is still prevalent.
As they faced each other last season, KKR had one of their best performances of all time against eventual champions MI. Russell smashed 8 huge sixes and six boundaries in his belligerent 40-ball 80* to help KKR to a whopping 232/2 in 20 overs. During the chase, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/blessed-to-have-you-both-hardik-pandya-missing-his-two-angels-natasa-and-agastya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hardik Pandya</a> almost took the game away from their grasp with his knock of 91 coming in just 34 balls but the required run rate had climbed a bit too much, leaving MI fall way short of the target.
This rivalry has often played out in Mumbai&#8217;s favour as they have won 19 games compared to Kolkata&#8217;s 6 wins but has been known league-wide as an exciting match-up. Both the teams have also got their 100th T20 win at the expense of the other team by defeating them in the process. Rohit Sharma leads the scoring charts in MI vs KKR matches with a massive 708 runs under his belt. Sunil Narine (21) edges Lasith Malinga (20) for the most wickets taken.

<h3>2. Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore</h3>
<figure id="attachment_328640" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-328640" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-328640" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Colin-de-Grandhomme.jpg" alt="Colin de Grandhomme" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-328640" class="wp-caption-text">Colin de Grandhomme. (Photo: IANS)</figcaption></figure>
Also known as the Ashes of South, CSK-RCB rivalry takes up the 2nd spot. This could be considered as a South Indian derby, as these are two of the biggest cities in that part of the country. The intensity of rivalry is also due to political differences between the two states regarding the Cauvery River. With some of the most renowned superstars featuring on both sides, CSK vs RCB contests tends to produce fireworks on the field.
While there isn’t a great competition between the two teams, it is majorly due to the popularity of their respective captains that RCB-CSK rivalry is hugely hyped among the fans. The two teams have clashed 24 times in the IPL where CSK has emerged victorious 16 times and RCB have won 7 times, with one match ending as a no result. They have also played in a final once, with CSK ending up on the winning side.
During the 2012 edition, CSK faced a mammoth task of chasing 206 against RCB but <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/with-all-due-respect-virat-kohli-shouldnt-have-bowled-albie-morkel-recalls-his-28-run-over-against-rcb-in-ipl-2012/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Albie Morkel</a> smashed Virat Kohli for 28 runs in a single over which gave them the victory from a very tough position in the game. In CSK vs RCB games, RCB talisman Virat Kohli has been the highest run-scorer with 761 runs at an average of 36.24 in 24 innings. Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel is the highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets in 13 matches.

<h3>1. Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings</h3>
<figure id="attachment_355173" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-355173" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-355173" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CT_352021.jpg" alt width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-355173" class="wp-caption-text">Mumbai Indians&#8217; Rahul Chahar (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption></figure>
The best two teams in IPL take up the top spot. Mumbai had a couple of offseasons earlier on, but ever since Rohit Sharma took over the captaincy in 2013, fortunes changed for the team. Chennai Super Kings have been the most consistent team in IPL history as they have always qualified for the playoffs. Mumbai Indians are the most successful team with 4 IPL trophies to their name. Together, they have 7 IPL trophies which are 2 more than all other teams combined.
The two teams have played each other 30 times which is the most number of times any two IPL teams have faced off with the Mumbai Indians having more victories (18). The highest runs scorer from these two teams is Suresh Raina (722 runs) of the Super Kings while the leading wicket-taker is <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/reports-lasith-malinga-unlikely-to-feature-in-ipl-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lasith Malinga</a> (36) of Mumbai Indians. The rivalry is often referred to as the El Clasico of IPL. They have gone toe to toe against each other in 4 finals and Mumbai Indians have won 3 of them.
Having two of the most successful cricketers in Indian cricket history in CSK&#8217;s MS Dhoni and MI&#8217;s Sachin Tendulkar, the rivalry was enhanced since IPL&#8217;s inception. They will play the inaugural match in this year&#8217;s IPL. In the most recent encounter, Mumbai Indians emerged victorious in the IPL 2019 final vs CSK in a last-ball thriller in Hyderabad.

Top 5 rivalries in the history of IPL

There have been a lot of memorable matches with some breathtaking performances throughout the 12 years of the IPL.

1. Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings