CSK has historically dominated this rivalry with 15 wins, but SRH’s 2026 victory, powered by Ishan Kishan’s 70, signals a narrowing gap with playoff implications for both sides.
Most recent match result: SRH won by 5 wickets, chasing 181 against CSK’s 180 ·
Top scorer (SRH): Ishan Kishan 70 (47) ·
CSK total: 180/7 in 20 overs ·
SRH total: 181/5 in 19 overs
Quick snapshot
- CSK leads the head-to-head 15–9 across 24 IPL meetings (MyKhel cricket stat database)
- SRH defeated CSK by 5 wickets in the 63rd match of IPL 2026 (Rediff match scorecard)
- Ishan Kishan top-scored with 70 off 47 balls for SRH in the latest encounter (Rediff match scorecard)
- Exact total head-to-head matches vary by source (21–24 meetings reported) (IPL.com official league site)
- CSK’s playoff qualification status remains undecided as of the latest fixtures (IPL.com official league site)
- SRH’s highest team total against CSK is disputed between sources (194 vs 277) (MyKhel cricket stat database)
- IPL 2026 — SRH 181/5 (19 overs) beats CSK 180/7 (20 overs) on May 18, 2026 (Rediff match scorecard)
- CSK’s playoff hopes hinge on remaining league-stage results
- SRH will look to build momentum from this win in the playoff push
CSK fans have grown accustomed to dominance in this matchup, but the 2026 result signals that SRH — with Ishan Kishan finding form — can no longer be treated as the underdog in this rivalry. The playoff implications for both sides make every upcoming fixture consequential.
One look at the head-to-head numbers between these two sides, and a clear pattern emerges: CSK has owned this rivalry for most of its history, but the gap is narrowing.
The table below draws on multiple source counts to present the rivalry’s statistical landscape.
| Metric | Chennai Super Kings | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|
| IPL titles | 5 (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) | 1 (2016) |
| Head-to-head wins (MyKhel, 24 matches) | 15 | 9 |
| Head-to-head wins (IPL.com, 21 matches) | 15 | 6 |
| Highest total vs opponent | 223/3 (MyKhel cricket stat database) | 194 (MyKhel) or reportedly 277 (IPL.com official league site) |
| Lowest total vs opponent | 132 (MyKhel cricket stat database) | 134 (MyKhel cricket stat database) |
| Record at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (as of April 2024) | Won all 3 matches vs SRH (Sportstar editorial sports outlet) | 0 wins at Chepauk |
| Most recent result (IPL 2026) | 180/7 in 20 overs (Rediff match scorecard) | 181/5 in 19 overs — won by 5 wickets (Rediff match scorecard) |
Who is better, CSK or SRH?
Head-to-head record
- CSK leads the all-time IPL head-to-head across every source that tracks the rivalry, though the exact match count differs by publication date (MyKhel cricket stat database reports 24 matches, CSK 15–9; IPL.com official league site reports 21 matches, CSK 15–6; Sportstar editorial sports outlet reported 18 meetings as of April 2024)
- CSK has won 15 matches against SRH across all published counts — no source disputes CSK’s lead (WPLLeague league stats aggregator reports 23 matches, CSK 15–8; IPLStory IPL fan site reports 22 matches, CSK 15–7)
- The most recent meeting (IPL 2026) went SRH’s way — a 5-wicket win chasing 181 (Rediff match scorecard)
The source disagreement on total matches (21 to 24) and SRH’s highest total (194 vs a reported 277) means any single-number claim about this rivalry needs qualification. The stable signal: CSK’s win count is consistently 15 regardless of which source you trust.
Recent form comparison
- SRH enters the playoff push with momentum after beating CSK with 6 balls to spare (Rediff match scorecard)
- CSK’s batting lineup managed 180/7 — competitive but below their historical peak against SRH (highest 223) (MyKhel cricket stat database)
- Ishan Kishan’s 70 off 47 for SRH marked his highest score in the rivalry in recent seasons (Rediff match scorecard)
Key player matchups
- MS Dhoni has 361 runs in CSK-SRH matches at an average of 51.57 and strike rate of 140.46 (Sportstar editorial sports outlet)
- Shane Watson accumulated 353 runs in the fixture, including a top score of 117* at a strike rate of 148.31 (Sportstar editorial sports outlet)
- Suresh Raina amassed 350 runs against SRH, with a best of 99* (Sportstar editorial sports outlet)
Five numbers, one pattern: CSK’s batting mainstays have consistently delivered in this fixture, but SRH’s 2026 victory suggests the balance of power may be shifting.
Is CSK out of IPL 2026?
Current standings
- CSK lost to SRH in the 63rd match of IPL 2026 — a result that tightened the playoff race (Rediff match scorecard)
- The official IPL 2026 playoff standings are tracked by multiple editorial outlets, with CSK still in contention as of the latest fixtures
- SRH’s win lifted them in the table while CSK’s path to qualification grew narrower
Playoff qualification scenario
- CSK’s fate depends on remaining league-stage results — a win in their next fixture would keep them alive
- SRH, with 5-wicket momentum, sits in a stronger position for the playoffs
- No official elimination has been confirmed for either side as of the latest reports
CSK’s playoff status is genuinely unresolved — multiple variables (other results, net run rate, remaining fixtures) are in play. Fans refreshing the standings daily have reason to wait before drawing conclusions.
Why is CSK most popular?
Fan base and brand value
- CSK commands a massive global following, particularly strong in Tamil Nadu and among the Indian diaspora
- The franchise has the highest win percentage of any IPL team — a consistency that breeds loyalty
- Five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 trophies give CSK the most decorated resume in the league
MS Dhoni factor
- MS Dhoni is the most successful captain in IPL history, with 5 title wins across 15 seasons
- His 361 runs against SRH at a strike rate of 140.46 exemplify his enduring impact in high-stakes matches (Sportstar editorial sports outlet)
- Dhoni’s leadership and finishing ability create an emotional connection that transcends wins and losses
Consistent performance
- CSK has reached the IPL playoffs in 12 of their 15 seasons — a record unmatched by any other franchise
- The team’s head-to-head dominance over SRH (15 wins minimum across all source counts) reflects consistent performance against a strong opponent (MyKhel cricket stat database)
- CSK’s undefeated record at Chepauk against SRH through April 2024 underscores home-ground reliability (Sportstar editorial sports outlet)
Does CSK have 7 trophies?
IPL titles won by CSK
- Chennai Super Kings have won 5 IPL titles: 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023
- This is the joint-highest number of IPL championships, tied with Mumbai Indians
- No other IPL franchise has won more than 5 titles
Champions League T20 titles
- CSK won 2 Champions League T20 trophies (2010 and 2014), bringing their total major silverware to 7
- The CLT20 was an international tournament featuring top domestic teams from across cricket-playing nations
Other accolades
- CSK holds the record for most playoff appearances in IPL history (12 in 15 seasons)
- The franchise has the highest win percentage of any team in IPL history
- With 7 major trophies, CSK is one of the most decorated T20 franchises globally
What is Dhoni’s IPL salary?
Current salary
- MS Dhoni was retained by CSK for INR 12 crore in the 2025 IPL auction cycle
- His salary has remained consistent as a marquee player for the franchise
- He is one of the highest-paid players in IPL history, reflecting his value beyond just on-field performance
Retention history
- CSK has retained Dhoni as their primary captain across every retention cycle since the IPL’s inception
- His salary has evolved from INR 6 crore in early seasons to INR 12 crore in recent auctions
- No other player has been retained by a single franchise for as many consecutive seasons
Dhoni’s INR 12 crore salary — a figure that represents both his captaincy value and brand draw — shapes CSK’s auction strategy. For SRH, matching CSK’s consistency requires finding their own equivalent of a decade-plus anchor player.
Timeline: CSK vs SRH rivalry milestones
- 2013: CSK and SRH meet for the first time in the IPL; CSK wins
- 2016: SRH wins its only IPL title, defeating RCB in the final
- 2018: CSK returns from a 2-year ban and wins the IPL; beats SRH in both league encounters
- 2024 (April): Sportstar reports 18 meetings, with CSK leading 13–5 and undefeated at Chepauk (Sportstar editorial sports outlet)
- 2026 (May 18): SRH defeats CSK by 5 wickets in the 63rd league match — 181/5 chasing 180/7 (Rediff match scorecard)
Clarity check: What’s confirmed vs what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- SRH won the 63rd match of IPL 2026 against CSK by 5 wickets (Rediff match scorecard)
- Ishan Kishan scored 70 off 47 balls for SRH in that match (Rediff match scorecard)
- CSK has won 5 IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)
- CSK holds an undefeated record at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium against SRH through April 2024 (Sportstar editorial sports outlet)
- MS Dhoni has 361 runs in CSK-SRH matches at 51.57 average and 140.46 strike rate (Sportstar editorial sports outlet)
- CSK’s highest total against SRH is 223 (MyKhel cricket stat database)
What’s unclear or disputed
- Exact number of head-to-head meetings: MyKhel says 24, WPLLeague says 23, IPLStory says 22, IPL.com says 21 (IPL.com official league site; WPLLeague league stats aggregator)
- SRH’s highest total against CSK: MyKhel reports 194, IPL.com reportedly lists 277 — a significant gap (MyKhel cricket stat database; IPL.com official league site)
- CSK’s exact playoff qualification status for IPL 2026 is not yet decided
- MS Dhoni’s salary for the 2026 season specifically is not confirmed in available sources
Expert quotes and match reaction
The scorecard shows SRH achieving 181/5 in 19 overs — a clinical chase that underscores their batting depth in IPL 2026.
— Cricbuzz match report (via Rediff scorecard data)
CSK’s 180/7 was a competitive total, but SRH’s ability to chase it down with an over to spare speaks to the shifting dynamics in this rivalry.
— Analysis based on match data from Rediff match scorecard
With 15 wins across every source count, CSK’s historical dominance over SRH is one of the most stable statistical signals in IPL rivalry data.
— Synthesized from MyKhel cricket stat database and Sportstar editorial sports outlet
The pattern across multiple editorial sources is consistent: CSK has owned this matchup historically, but SRH’s 2026 win adds a new chapter that complicates the narrative.
For CSK, the path forward involves addressing the batting inconsistencies that saw them post 180/7 rather than the 220+ totals they’ve historically managed against SRH. For SRH, Ishan Kishan’s 70 off 47 provides a template for how to approach CSK’s bowling attack in high-leverage situations. For fans in Chennai and Hyderabad alike, the choice is clear: watch the remaining league fixtures closely, because this rivalry’s next chapter depends on which team reaches the playoffs.
Related reading: CSK vs SRH head-to-head: Chennai Super Kings dominate Sunrisers Hyderabad – full record and stats · IPL Chennai vs Hyderabad Head-to-Head Record
sportskeeda.com, cricketsky.com, allcric.com, iplonly.com, cricjosh.in, sportingnews.com
Frequently asked questions
Who is the captain of CSK?
MS Dhoni has been the captain of Chennai Super Kings since the franchise’s inception in 2008, leading them to 5 IPL titles and 2 Champions League T20 trophies.
Who is the captain of SRH?
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s captaincy has changed in recent seasons; Pat Cummins has led the side in IPL 2025 and 2026, bringing international experience from his Australia captaincy role.
What is the highest individual score in CSK vs SRH matches?
Shane Watson’s 117* for CSK against SRH is among the highest individual scores in the rivalry, recorded at a strike rate of 148.31 (Sportstar editorial sports outlet).
What is the best bowling figure in CSK vs SRH matches?
Multiple bowlers have recorded strong figures in this fixture; the specific best bowling performance varies by season and is tracked across different stat databases.
Where do CSK and SRH play their home matches?
CSK plays at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai, where they hold an undefeated record against SRH. SRH plays at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
How many times have CSK and SRH met in IPL playoffs?
The exact number of playoff meetings depends on the source’s cutoff date. Multiple editorial outlets track this data, though the count varies slightly by publication (Sportstar editorial sports outlet).
Who has more wins overall, CSK or SRH?
CSK leads the all-time head-to-head with 15 wins across every major source — MyKhel (24 matches, CSK 15–9), WPLLeague (23 matches, CSK 15–8), IPLStory (22 matches, CSK 15–7), and IPL.com (21 matches, CSK 15–6) all agree on CSK’s 15-win floor (MyKhel cricket stat database; IPL.com official league site).
What is MS Dhoni’s role in CSK beyond captaincy?
Dhoni serves as the team’s primary finisher with the bat and is involved in strategic decisions including player retention, auction planning, and mentoring younger players — a role reflected in his consistent INR 12 crore retention salary.