Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Timeline: A Rivalry Through the Years

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has given cricket lovers some of the best rivalries in world T20 cricket. Of these rivalries, the game between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) (previously known as Kings XI Punjab) has seen some of the most intriguing matches. As the 32 matches have played out over time from the first season in 2008 until 2025, we’ve seen changes in who the dominant team is, individual brilliance in terms of performances, and thrilling last-ball finishes.

Take a trip down memory lane with us as we look back at CSK vs PBKS through the years.

Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Timeline

2008 – The Beginning of Rivalry

This rivalry began in 2008 IPL, where Chennai Super Kings became the clear early dominant team. CSK won all three matches that season, including the 2nd semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium, where they trounced PBKS by 9 wickets from the very beginning. They had already won at Mohali and Chennai, which began a streak of consistency for CSK.

Highlights: CSK won all three games in 2008.

Semi-final domination carried CSK to the finals.

2009 – CSK Continue to Dominate

In 2009, even though the tournament was moved to South Africa because of elections within India, CSK continued to have the upper hand. They again beat PBKS in both games as well- including a D/L victory at Centurion and also another casual win at Kingsmead, Durban.

CSK winning streak: Five games in a row.

2010 – A Twist in the Tale

The 2010 season was a break from the negative streak for Punjab. One match was a tie (PBKS won the Super Over, which was their first win over CSK), then CSK returned the favour with a 6-wicket win in Dharamsala later in the season.

Highlights: First tied game.

PBKS’ first win via Super Over.

2011-2013 – A Tug of War

2011 was a 6-wicket Punjab win over CSK in Mohali, while the Chennai franchise in 2013 had 2 comprehensive wins over PBKS, one of which was a 10-wicket demolition in Mohali. CSK had the edge, but PBKS was showing fight and character.

Notable Performance – CSK’s 10-wicket win in 2013 – one of CSK’s most comprehensive wins over PBKS.

2014 – The Punjab Power Surge

The 2014 season proved to be a pivotal season. PBKS won all three matches against CSK – two league matches and a Qualifier 2. The match played at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, found Punjab winning by 44 runs, and they sent Chennai out of the playoffs with a 24-run victory in Qualifier 2, which was a high-scoring game.

Significance: PBKS’s most successful season vs CSK (3 wins).

Knocked CSK out of the playoffs.

2015 – CSK’s Revenge

CSK bounced back hard in 2015 by beating PBKS in both league matches – one of which was at home by 97 runs and another in Mohali by 7 wickets.

Highlight: CSK’s 97-run victory – one of the largest margins of victory in the rivalry.

2018–2019 – A mixed bag

After back-to-back suspensions in 2016-2017, CSK returned to the IPL in 2018. PBKS opened the season strongly with a 4-run victory at home, but CSK got back its revenge by winning their last league match. The scenario played out similarly, with CSK winning at home and PBKS winning in Mohali. This time frame showed how home advantage started to take hold.

2020 – CSK put an end to the argument in the UAE

In the pandemic hit 2020 season, played in the UAE, CSK crushed PBKS, winning both games by 10 wickets and 9 wickets. In 2020, CSK had an argument on their strength, particularly with reference to bowling and top order consistency.

2021 – A win a piece

In 2021, we had seen a similar theme – a win apiece. CSK beat PBKS in the opening match and Punjab returned the favour in the last league match of the tournament. The rivalry was probably at its most balanced at this stage.

2022–2024 – The purple patch for Punjab

Between 2022 and 2024, PBKS began to skew the equation. In 2022, they thumped CSK twice, the first match being a 54 run demolition. In 2023, PBKS shocked CSK at Chepauk, chasing and winning by 4 wickets. In 2024, the teams had a win a piece, but PBKS winning by 7 wickets in Chennai again suggests a growing comfort for playing at CSK’s home ground.

2025 – PBKS Smashes the Rivalry (For Now)

In 2025, PBKS showed no signs of slowing down. They beat CSK in their first matchup at the newly built Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur – their first home ground in the IPL – by 18 runs.

They followed it up with another phenomenal performance, defeating CSK in Chennai once again by 4 wickets, to finish the year with two wins out of two against the men in yellow.

Fun Fact: This was the first time since 2014 that PBKS beat CSK twice in a single season.

CSk vs PBKS Head-to-Head Recap

Total Matches: 32

Chennai Super Kings Wins: 17

Punjab Kings Wins: 15

While CSK had led the head-to-head record by a long wide margin, PBKS has whittled away at this number, especially in 2022 and beyond. With PBKS recent form favouring Punjab, this rivalry is at its most competitive yet.

Venues and Home Advantage

An important feature of this rivalry has been the home and away advantages.

Chennai (MA Chidambaram Stadium): CSK win 5 times, PBKS win 4 times – PBKS have performed really well away from home.

Mohali: PBKS have a decent record here but have lost a few home games.

Neutral Venues (like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, South Africa): varied records with CSK sometimes doing better in neutral venues.

Final Thoughts: A Rivalry to Watch

The CSK vs PBKS rivalry encapsulates the transformations of the IPL from a CSK-dominated era, through to an evolving PBKS team that is well balanced and dangerous.

Each game has added a new chapter in this beautiful story, from MS Dhoni’s masterclass tactics to PBKS’ audacious chases. As both teams evolve through new captains, younger generations of players and a fresh approach to match strategy, we can hope that this rivalry will only ignite more fire in the future.

Whether it’s the deafening support of the Chepauk crowd or the spark of excitement of a new stadium in Mullanpur, CSK vs PBKS is now one of the most exciting and elusive fixtures in the IPL calendar.

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