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MI vs CSK Who is best IPL Team?
MI vs CSK: Deciphering the Best IPL Team
The Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been two of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) most successful teams since the league’s inception in 2008. MI and CSK have had several clashes over the seasons. Both teams have played competitive cricket, yielding closely contested records.
MI and CSK have assembled a great squad throughout the years, containing both domestic and foreign stars. MI has benefitted from players such as Sachin Tendulkar (in earlier seasons), Rohit Sharma, and Lasith Malinga, whilst CSK has relied on MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, and others.
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IPL Fever: How did it start?
Back in 2008, no one knew how viewers would take back-to-back T20 matches featuring teams comprised of players from all over the world.
However, the bid for MS Dhoni during the IPL Auction in 2008 gave everyone an early indication that this could be a game changer for league events.
The memories of the Indian team’s 2007 victory in South Africa were still vivid in everyone’s minds, and the world quickly accepted MS Dhoni as the mastermind of the game. Dhoni was the most expensive player in the IPL’s maiden season, which comes as no surprise.
While the Mumbai Indians, who were also interested in MSD’s services, were able to form a strong team led by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
MI vs CSK IPL journey: 2008-2012
CSK under MSD reached the finals in the first season itself but failed to win the cup. CSK waited another year for their first title as in 2010 they finally managed to secure the IPL trophy. That was the first time MI and CSK faced off in an IPL final, which CSK won.
MSD’s CSK then won the title again in 2011, making them the league’s most successful team at the time, while MI remained a struggling side.
The men in yellow reached the finals for the third time in a row and their 4th appearance in 5 seasons, but they were defeated by Kolkata Knight Riders in the finale of IPL 2012.
MI vs CSK IPL Journey: 2013-2018
After failing to win a single title in the first five seasons, MI made a brave step and named Rohit Sharma as captain of Mumbai Indians midway through the 2013 season, and the rest is history.
MI under Rohit not only exacted revenge on CSK in the 2010 final, but they also established themselves as the team to look out for.
Mumbai then equaled CSK and KKR in terms of most IPL titles with a victory in IPL 2015 under Rohit Sharma.
With Chennai facing a two-year ban and missing the 2016 and 2017 seasons, MI emerged as the most successful team after winning the IPL 2017.
MI vs CSK IPL Journey: 2018-2023
CSK then made a stunning comeback in 2018 by winning the IPL, tying Mumbai for 3-3 titles.
But the best was yet to come for MI, as the Rohit Sharma-led team won back-to-back IPL seasons in 2019 and 2020, establishing themselves as the league’s finest team.
Chennai then attempted to close the gap by winning the IPL 2021, and they matched MI with a triumph in the Indian Premier League 2023.
A similar chord between both clubs’ 5-5 IPL trophies is that they won all their titles under the same captain, MI under Rohit Sharma and CSK under MS Dhoni.
The matches between MI and CSK have long been regarded as one of the IPL’s most intense rivalries. These clashes excite viewers and highlight the fierce rivalry between the two teams.
However, the difference between the two clubs is their belief in their leader.
Rohit Sharma, who became MI’s captain in 2013 and led the franchise to five IPL victories, is no longer the captain and will play as a team player in the IPL 2024, despite being the current regular captain of the Indian cricket team.
While CSK, which chose MS Dhoni as captain in the first season, remains loyal to its skipper despite the fact that Dhoni played his last international game five years ago, has retired from international cricket, and is 42 years old.
MI vs CSK: The best IPL team?
Conclusion
Their performances during the last 15 years demonstrate both teams’ supremacy in the league, with both winning 10 of the 15 titles, making it difficult to choose the best.
If we compare both teams’ overall performance from 2008 to 2023, CSK comes ahead by one seat and emerges as the best side in the Indian Premier League to date.
| Teams | Matches | Won | Lost | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 225 | 131 | 91 | 58.96 |
| Mumbai Indians | 247 | 138 | 105 | 56.68 |
