Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is one of the interesting matchups in Indian Premier League history. The two teams have produced several memorable encounters, including a number of playoff matches and the 2018 IPL final. Chennai vs Hyderabad Head-to-Head in IPL
CSK have historically held the advantage in this rivalry. However, SRH have also produced important victories, particularly in recent IPL seasons. The balance of the contest has changed over time as both franchises have gone through different squads, captains and playing styles.
Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Head-to-Head Record
The IPL’s official historical records show CSK holding a substantial advantage over SRH. For example, before their 2019 meeting, CSK led the rivalry 8-2 after 10 matches, and after their next encounter the record stood at 8-3. Chennai vs Hyderabad Head-to-Head in IPL
| Head-to-Head Category | Chennai Super Kings | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|
| Overall position | Lead rivalry | Trail rivalry |
| Major IPL meetings | Multiple victories | Several victories |
| 2018 IPL final | Won | Lost |
| 2018 meetings | 4 wins | 0 wins |
| 2019 record after Match 41 | 8 wins | 3 wins |
The historical advantage of CSK is particularly noticeable in the early years of this matchup.
The Beginning of the Rivalry
Sunrisers Hyderabad entered the IPL in 2013, replacing the Deccan Chargers. Their first meetings with Chennai Super Kings quickly established CSK as the stronger side.
By 2015, the official IPL website recorded CSK as having a 3-1 win-loss record against SRH.
This early dominance continued into the 2018 season, when Chennai returned to the IPL after a two-year suspension.
CSK’s Dominance in IPL 2018
The 2018 season was particularly important in the CSK-SRH rivalry.
The two teams met four times that season, and Chennai won all four matches. The official IPL website noted that CSK had a 4-0 record against SRH during the season.
CSK defeated SRH in the league stage before meeting them again in the playoffs.
In Qualifier 1, Chennai defeated Hyderabad by two wickets, reaching the IPL final. The result was significant because SRH had been one of the strongest teams throughout the tournament.
The teams then met again in the 2018 IPL final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
2018 IPL Final
The 2018 final became one of the most memorable CSK-SRH matches.
SRH batted first and posted 178/6. Captain Kane Williamson and Yusuf Pathan contributed important runs, but CSK’s chase was led by Shane Watson.
Watson scored an unbeaten 117 from 57 balls, guiding Chennai to 181/2 in 18.3 overs.
CSK won by eight wickets and claimed their third IPL title.
The victory also completed a remarkable 4-0 season against SRH. The official IPL preview ahead of the final recorded CSK’s overall advantage as 7-2 at that stage.
Shane Watson’s Role
Shane Watson became one of the most important players in the CSK-SRH rivalry, especially during the 2018 season.
His performance in the 2018 final remains one of the defining individual displays in this fixture. His unbeaten century gave Chennai control of the chase and secured the trophy.
Watson was again central when the teams met in 2019. In a league match, he scored 96 from 53 balls, narrowly missing a century.
CSK eventually chased SRH’s 175/3, reaching 176/4 in 19.5 overs. The official IPL match report credited Watson’s innings as the decisive contribution in the six-wicket victory.
SRH Start Turning the Rivalry Around
Although CSK dominated the early years, SRH gradually began producing more competitive results.
Players such as David Warner, Jonny Bairstow, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kane Williamson gave Hyderabad the batting and bowling quality needed to challenge Chennai.
SRH’s aggressive opening batting was particularly important. Warner became one of the franchise’s most influential batters, while SRH’s bowling attack often relied on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing and Rashid Khan’s leg-spin.
On the other side, CSK traditionally relied on experienced players such as MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo, combined with high-quality overseas performers.
CSK vs SRH in the 2019 IPL
The rivalry remained strongly in Chennai’s favor during the 2019 season.
Before a 2019 league meeting, the official IPL website listed the overall head-to-head record as CSK 8-3 SRH.
That match produced another memorable CSK batting performance.
SRH scored 175/3, with Manish Pandey making 83 and David Warner contributing 57.
Chennai responded with 176/4, with Watson scoring 96 from 52 balls. CSK won by six wickets with one ball remaining.
The result demonstrated one of the defining characteristics of this rivalry: SRH could produce substantial totals, but Chennai’s experienced batting lineup often found a way to chase them.
CSK vs SRH in Chennai
Playing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium has traditionally been an important part of Chennai’s IPL identity.
The Chepauk surface has often rewarded bowlers who can use changes of pace and spin effectively. CSK’s familiarity with the conditions has helped them in many home fixtures.
For several years, SRH struggled to win in Chennai. In 2019, the official IPL preview noted that SRH had played two IPL matches in Chennai and lost both.
That home advantage eventually changed.
SRH’s Historic Victory in Chennai in 2025
One of the most significant recent developments in the rivalry came during the 2025 IPL season.
On 25 April 2025, SRH defeated CSK at the MA Chidambaram Stadium by five wickets.
The official IPL match report described it as SRH’s first-ever win over CSK in Chennai.
CSK batted first and scored only 154, while SRH successfully chased the target with eight balls remaining.
Kamindu Mendis played an important role late in the chase, helping Hyderabad complete the victory.
This result was historically significant because it ended SRH’s long wait for a victory against CSK at Chepauk.
Batting Strength of Both Teams
The CSK-SRH rivalry has featured some of the IPL’s most recognizable T20 batsmen.
Chennai Super Kings
CSK’s batting has historically included:
- MS Dhoni
- Suresh Raina
- Shane Watson
- Faf du Plessis
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Devon Conway
- Ravindra Jadeja
Dhoni’s finishing ability and leadership were especially important during the franchise’s most successful period.
Raina was also a major contributor during the early years of the rivalry, while Watson produced match-winning innings in the 2018 and 2019 encounters.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH have featured:
- David Warner
- Kane Williamson
- Jonny Bairstow
- Travis Head
- Abhishek Sharma
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Aiden Markram
Warner was particularly influential during SRH’s successful years. In the modern era, aggressive players such as Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen have added another dimension to Hyderabad’s batting.
Bowling Battle
The rivalry has also featured several high-quality bowlers.
For CSK, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Imran Tahir, Dwayne Bravo and Deepak Chahar have all played important roles at different times.
For SRH, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan have been among the most recognizable bowling figures.
The 2019 official IPL preview specifically highlighted the importance of the spin contest involving Imran Tahir, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh and Rashid Khan.
This illustrates how spin has frequently been central to the matchup.
Important IPL Playoff Meetings
CSK and SRH have met in high-pressure playoff matches.
Their most famous playoff meetings came in 2018, when CSK defeated SRH in Qualifier 1 before winning the final against them.
The Qualifier 1 victory took CSK directly into the final. The official IPL record at the time showed Chennai leading the overall matchup 6-2 before that contest.
The final then gave CSK another victory and their third IPL championship.
These matches helped establish the fixture as an important IPL playoff rivalry.
Recent Rivalry
The balance of the rivalry has become more competitive as the squads have changed.
SRH’s victory at Chennai in 2025 was especially notable because it demonstrated that their historical difficulties at Chepauk were no longer an absolute barrier.
The teams were also scheduled to meet in Chennai during the 2026 IPL season, with the official schedule listing CSK vs SRH as Match 63 on 18 May 2026 at Chennai.
As the IPL has evolved, both franchises have introduced younger players alongside experienced international stars, making future meetings dependent on current squad composition and conditions.
CSK vs SRH: Key Head-to-Head Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Rivalry began | 2013 |
| CSK’s early advantage | Strong |
| 2018 season | CSK won all four meetings |
| 2018 final | CSK won by 8 wickets |
| 2019 official record | CSK led 8-3 |
| Famous CSK batter | Shane Watson |
| Famous SRH batter | David Warner |
| Major bowling names | Jadeja, Tahir, Bhuvneshwar, Rashid |
| First SRH win in Chennai | 2025 |
| 2025 Chennai result | SRH won by 5 wickets |
Conclusion
The Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad head-to-head record in the IPL has historically favored CSK. Chennai established a strong advantage from the early years of the rivalry and dominated particularly during the 2018 season, when they defeated SRH four times, including the IPL final.
The 2018 final remains the most famous meeting between the two teams, with Shane Watson’s unbeaten 117 helping CSK win their third IPL title.
However, SRH have gradually produced more competitive results. Their 2025 victory at Chepauk was a major moment because it was their first win over CSK in Chennai.
With both franchises having experienced major changes in personnel over the years, the CSK-SRH rivalry continues to provide a mixture of explosive batting, quality spin and high-pressure IPL cricket.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many times have Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad faced each other in the IPL?
Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad have met numerous times since SRH entered the IPL in 2013, including league-stage and playoff matches.
2. Which team has a better head-to-head record between CSK and SRH?
Chennai Super Kings have historically held the advantage in the head-to-head record against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
3. When did CSK and SRH play the IPL final?
CSK and SRH played the 2018 IPL final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. CSK won the final by 8 wickets.
4. Who scored a century in the 2018 CSK vs SRH IPL final?
Shane Watson scored an unbeaten 117 runs from 57 balls for Chennai Super Kings, helping them chase SRH’s target and win the IPL title.
5. When did Sunrisers Hyderabad first beat CSK in Chennai?
Sunrisers Hyderabad recorded their first-ever IPL victory over CSK in Chennai in 2025, winning by 5 wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.