Rohit Sharma, the Captain of Mumbai Indians and MS Dhoni, the Captain of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2019 Finals
Over the 17 seasons of the IPL, certain teams have shown remarkable consistency and dominance by reaching the finals multiple times. But have you ever wondered which teams have played the most number of finals and how they performed in those title clashes? In this article, we take a look at the top 5 teams who have qualified for the most finals in IPL history and their record in those matches.
With 17 seasons of the Indian Premier League completed, the 10 IPL teams have competed fiercely, producing 7 different champions over the years. Throughout this journey, certain teams have stood out with their consistent performances and ability to reach the final stage of the tournament. Now, let’s take a look at the top 5 IPL teams who have played the most number of finals and examine how they fared in those crucial matches.
There is a famous saying that “All the 10 IPL Teams compete in the tournament in order to meet the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL Finals”. Considering this, the statement often comes true as out of the 15 seasons played by the Chennai Super Kings, the team has managed to qualify for the Finals of the tournament for a total of 10 times under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. This incredible consistency has made CSK one of the most successful and admired franchises in IPL history.
| Year of IPL Finals | Opponent | Result of the Finals |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2008 | Rajasthan Royals | Lost by 3 Wickets |
| IPL 2010 | Mumbai Indians | Won by 22 Runs |
| IPL 2011 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Won by 58 Runs |
| IPL 2012 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Lost by 5 Wickets |
| IPL 2013 | Mumbai Indians | Lost by 23 Runs |
| IPL 2015 | Mumbai Indians | Lost by 41 Runs |
| IPL 2018 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Won by 8 Wickets |
| IPL 2019 | Mumbai Indians | Lost by 1 Run |
| IPL 2021 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Won by 27 Runs |
| IPL 2023 | Gujarat Titans | Won by 5 Wickets |
CSK made their first final appearance in the inaugural IPL season in 2008, where they narrowly lost to Rajasthan Royals. They then bounced back in style by winning their first title in 2010, beating Mumbai Indians in a thrilling final. The team defended their crown successfully in 2011, defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore to secure back-to-back titles. The Men in Yellow continued to remain dominant, reaching the finals in 2012 and 2013, but ended up as runners-up on both occasions, first losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and then to Mumbai Indians in 2013.
Again in 2015, CSK reached the final but were defeated by Mumbai Indians, marking their third loss to MI in a final. After serving a two-year suspension, CSK returned in 2018 and reclaimed the title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad. They reached yet another final in 2019 but once again fell short against Mumbai Indians. In 2021, CSK lifted their fourth IPL trophy, beating Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. Their most recent triumph came in 2023, where they clinched their fifth title by defeating Gujarat Titans in a last-ball thriller. Ten finals, five championships, and a legacy led by Dhoni, CSK’s journey is a golden chapter in IPL history.
Another team who has been the most successful team of the tournament, the Mumbai Indians under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma has always been a worthy opponent and hence they managed to clinch a total of 5 IPL titles within the 6 IPL finals played. Known for their fighting spirit and powerful performances in pressure games, MI has built a legacy that speaks of dominance and consistency. Their first final appearance came in 2010, where they faced off against the Chennai Super Kings.
| Year of IPL Finals | Opponent | Result of the Finals |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2010 | Chennai Super Kings | Lost by 22 Runs |
| IPL 2013 | Chennai Super Kings | Won by 23 Runs |
| IPL 2015 | Chennai Super Kings | Won by 41 Runs |
| IPL 2017 | Rising Pune Supergiants | Won by 1 Run |
| IPL 2019 | Chennai Super Kings | Won by 1 Run |
| IPL 2020 | Delhi Capitals | Won by 5 Wickets |
Despite a strong campaign, Mumbai fell short in the final and had to settle for the runners-up spot. However, they didn’t take long to bounce back. In 2013, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, MI defeated CSK and claimed their maiden IPL title, marking the beginning of a golden era. In 2015, it was once again Mumbai versus Chennai in the final, and Mumbai emerged victorious, bagging their second title. Two years later, in 2017, MI played the final against Rising Pune Supergiant. In a nail-biting finish that went down to the last ball, Mumbai managed to clinch their third IPL trophy, showing their resilience in crunch situations.
Mumbai continued their dominant run and reached the final again in 2019. In a familiar setting, they locked horns with CSK once more and came out on top in a thrilling one-run victory. With that, they lifted their fourth title. The following year, in 2020, MI delivered one of their most commanding seasons and defeated Delhi Capitals in the final to secure their fifth IPL title. Five trophies from six final appearances is a remarkable feat and places Mumbai Indians as the most successful franchise in IPL history.
The third team on the list of the teams with the most number of IPL finals is the Kolkata Knight Riders, who have been absolutely dominating in their own way. With the 2012 and 2014 campaigns under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, the 2021 campaign led by Eoin Morgan, and the 2024 season under Shreyas Iyer, KKR has made it to the IPL final on four different occasions. Their journey began to peak in 2012 when Gautam Gambhir led the team to their maiden title.
| Year of IPL Finals | Opponent | Result of the Finals |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2012 | Chennai Super Kings | Won by 5 Wickets |
| IPL 2014 | Punjab Kings | Won by 3 Wickets |
| IPL 2021 | Chennai Super Kings | Lost by 27 Runs |
| IPL 2024 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Won by 8 Wickets |
In the final, KKR faced the mighty Chennai Super Kings, and with a spirited chase, they secured their first-ever IPL trophy, marking the start of a glorious chapter. Two years later, in 2014, Kolkata repeated their heroics. Facing Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the final, they chased down a big target, lifting their second IPL title and proving their prowess as a chasing side. The next appearance came in 2021, where KKR had a dramatic turnaround in the second half of the season under Eoin Morgan’s leadership.
They reached the final after an inspiring campaign but couldn’t overcome a strong Chennai Super Kings side and had to settle for the runners-up position. In 2024, the Knight Riders came back with a fresh and determined approach under captain Shreyas Iyer. They had a near-perfect season and stormed into the finals to face Sunrisers Hyderabad. KKR displayed a clinical performance and won the final comfortably, claiming their third IPL title. With four appearances in the final and three titles, Kolkata Knight Riders have built a legacy of their own.
The team which is at the fourth position in the list of the most number of IPL finals appearances, the Sunrisers Hyderabad has been brilliant as a team who has played the IPL finals in 2016 under the leadership of David Warner, while in the 2018 year, they qualified with Kane Williamson as their captain, and the 2024 season saw them qualifying under the leadership of Pat Cummins. Sunrisers Hyderabad made their first IPL final appearance in 2016, and it turned out to be a dream season for the team.
| Year of IPL Finals | Opponent | Result of the Finals |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2016 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Won by 8 Runs |
| IPL 2018 | Chennai Super Kings | Lost by 8 Wickets |
| IPL 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Lost by 8 Wickets |
Led by the aggressive and charismatic David Warner, SRH faced Royal Challengers Bangalore in a high-pressure final. Batting first, they posted a strong total and managed to hold off a dangerous RCB lineup to lift their maiden IPL trophy. That win stamped SRH’s name as serious contenders in the tournament. In 2018, the team reached the final once again, this time with Kane Williamson taking over the captaincy. Under Williamson’s calm and composed leadership, SRH displayed a well-balanced game throughout the season. However, in the final, they came up against the experienced Chennai Super Kings.
Despite a strong start to the tournament, SRH couldn’t stop CSK in the final and had to settle for the runners-up position. The 2024 season saw a refreshed SRH under the captaincy of Australian skipper Pat Cummins. The team showed consistency throughout the season, and Cummins led with both bat and ball at crucial moments. They reached the final after an impressive run, but once again, fell short of the title, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. With one title win and two runner-up finishes across three finals, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been a team known for their strong bowling units and spirited performances, always punching above expectations on the big stage.
Still searching for their first ever IPL title, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have played in three IPL finals, with their journey to the summit clash beginning under the leadership of Anil Kumble in 2009. That year, RCB made an incredible comeback after a poor start in the tournament and reached the final against the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. Chasing a modest target, RCB came close but eventually fell short, finishing as runners-up in a closely contested match. Two years later, in 2011, RCB once again made their way to the final, this time with Daniel Vettori at the helm.
| Year of IPL Finals | Opponent | Result of the Finals |
|---|---|---|
| IPL 2009 | Deccan Chargers | Lost by 6 Runs |
| IPL 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | Lost by 58 Runs |
| IPL 2024 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Lost by 8 Runs |
With a star-studded lineup that included the likes of Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, RCB looked strong throughout the season. However, in the final, they faced a dominant Chennai Super Kings side who outplayed them in all departments. Despite high hopes, Bengaluru had to settle for another runner-up finish. The third and perhaps the most emotional final for RCB came in 2016 under the captaincy of Virat Kohli.
That year, Kohli had a dream season with the bat, scoring 973 runs and leading the team with passion and energy. RCB entered the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad with great momentum and were seen as favorites. Chasing a big target at their home ground in Bengaluru, they got off to a flying start but lost wickets at crucial intervals and eventually fell short once again. Despite having some of the biggest names in world cricket and reaching the final on three occasions, the IPL trophy has continued to elude Royal Challengers Bengaluru.