Cricket in Numbers: Which Teams Have Played the Most IPL Opening Matches Against Each Other?
The opening match of the Indian Premier League has often featured iconic rivalries. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings lead the list with 4 season openers against each other. Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, and Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru have appeared 2 times each.
The schedule for the Indian Premier League 2026 has been rolled out, and fans waiting for the competition are all set to witness exciting contests between the 10 teams competing for the ultimate crown. Over the years, the first match of the IPL has always made headlines among fans, and the first match of IPL 2026 between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is expected to make waves. But do you know which teams have played the most opening matches against each other?
Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings – 4 Times
In the history of the Indian Premier League, the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have met each other in the opening match of the IPL 4 times. Both teams met for the first time at Newlands, Cape Town, on 18th April 2009, where the Mumbai Indians won by 19 runs. In 2012, both teams met again in the first match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, where the Mumbai Indians won by 8 wickets.
| Teams | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings | Newlands, Cape Town | April 18, 2009 | MI won by 19 runs |
| Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | April 4, 2012 | MI won by 8 wickets |
| Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | April 7, 2018 | CSK won by 1 wicket |
| Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | September 19, 2020 | CSK won by 5 wickets |
In 2018, Chennai Super Kings defeated the Mumbai Indians in a thriller by 1 wicket, while the two teams met again in 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, where Chennai Super Kings won by 5 wickets.
Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 2 Times
Another rivalry that has taken center stage in the past few years, Chennai Super Kings and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru met in the opening encounter of the IPL 2019 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, where the Chennai Super Kings won the contest by 7 wickets.
| Teams | Venue | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | March 23, 2019 | CSK won by 7 wickets |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | March 22, 2024 | CSK won by 6 wickets |
In the second encounter, both teams met on 22nd March 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, where Chennai Super Kings again defeated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 6 wickets.
Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 2 Times
Coming to the third position, the Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders are the two teams that have met each other twice in the opening game of the Indian Premier League. Both teams met on April 16, 2014, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, where the Kolkata Knight Riders defeated the Mumbai Indians by 41 runs.
| Teams | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | April 16, 2014 | KKR won by 41 runs |
| Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | April 8, 2015 | KKR won by 7 wickets |
Coming to the second encounter, both teams met again in the first match of IPL 2015 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, where Kolkata Knight Riders defeated their opponents by 7 wickets.
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