Introduction
Few rivalries in the Indian Premier League carry the emotional weight and tactical intrigue of Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings. From the very first ball bowled between these two sides in 2013 to the latest clashes of the 2026 season, this matchup has delivered last-ball thrillers, captaincy masterclasses, and unforgettable individual brilliance.
This article presents the sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline in exhaustive detail — every season, every turning point, every record. Whether you are a die-hard SRH fan reliving David Warner’s explosive knocks or a CSK loyalist celebrating MS Dhoni’s ice-cold finishes, this is your definitive reference guide. We trace the full sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline from the franchise’s inception through the CSK ban years, the modern power-hitting era, and right up to the 2026 IPL season. Bookmark this page, because the SRH vs CSK timeline has never been documented this completely in one place.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline: Overview & Background
The sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline begins not in 2008, but in 2013, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) terminated the Deccan Chargers franchise and awarded Hyderabad a new team: the Sunrisers Hyderabad, owned by the Sun TV Network.
Chennai Super Kings, meanwhile, had already been an IPL powerhouse since the tournament’s inaugural 2008 season under the legendary captaincy of MS Dhoni. By 2013, CSK had already reached four finals and won two titles (2010, 2011). The arrival of SRH created a fresh competitive axis in the league.
This rivalry matters because it pits two fundamentally different cricketing philosophies against each other. CSK built a dynasty on experience, loyalty, and Dhoni’s tactical genius. SRH, especially under David Warner and later Kane Williamson, leaned on aggressive opening partnerships, world-class spin bowling, and a never-say-die fighting spirit. The contrast makes every chapter of the sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline fascinating.
Early Era: 2013 – 2015
2013 – The First Chapter
The sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline officially opened on April 8, 2013, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. CSK, led by Dhoni, hosted the brand-new SRH side. Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey powered CSK to a competitive total, and Chennai won the opener comfortably. SRH, however, struck back later in the season at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, where Parthiv Patel and Cameron White guided the hosts to a memorable victory. The season ended 1–1 in head-to-head encounters.
2014 – Warner Arrives
The 2014 season changed everything for SRH. David Warner was named captain and immediately transformed the team’s identity. In the first SRH-vs-CSK clash of the year at Hyderabad, Warner smashed a blistering 69 off 38 balls, but Dwayne Bravo’s death-over heroics sealed a narrow CSK win. The return fixture in Chennai saw Ravindra Jadeja produce a match-winning all-round performance. CSK swept the season series 2–0, extending their dominance in the early sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline.
2015 – CSK’s Farewell Before the Ban
The 2015 season was the last time CSK would play SRH for two years. In Hyderabad, Shikhar Dhawan and Warner put on a 100+ run opening stand, but Ashish Nehra’s early breakthroughs helped CSK sneak home by 6 runs. In Chennai, Brendon McCullum unleashed a counter-attacking innings to give CSK another win. CSK finished the season series 2–0 again. Shortly after, CSK was suspended for the 2016 and 2017 seasons due to the spot-fixing scandal involving team officials, freezing this rivalry for two full years.
The CSK Ban Years: 2016 – 2017
With CSK absent from the IPL, the sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline hit a two-year pause. SRH used this window brilliantly, winning their maiden IPL title in 2016 under Warner’s captaincy, with Ben Cutting’s explosive final-over heroics against Royal Challengers Bangalore. In 2017, SRH remained competitive but fell in the playoffs. These two seasons allowed SRH to build their own legacy independent of the CSK shadow.
Mid Era: 2018 – 2021
2018 – The Grand Return and a Playoff Classic
CSK returned in 2018 with a vengeance, and the sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline resumed with a bang. In the league stage, SRH won the first encounter in Hyderabad behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 3-wicket haul. CSK answered in Chennai through Ambati Rayudu’s 79. The two teams then met in Qualifier 2 on May 25, 2018, at Pune. In a tense contest, Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson steadied CSK’s innings, and Chennai advanced to the final, which they won against SRH’s conquerors. CSK lifted the trophy; SRH finished as runners-up of the overall tournament.
2019 – Tactical Chess Matches
The 2019 season produced two tight league encounters. In Hyderabad, Kane Williamson (who had taken over SRH captaincy from the banned Warner) played a captain’s knock of 70 not out to guide SRH home. In Chennai, Deepak Chahar’s swing bowling dismantled SRH’s top order, and CSK levelled the series. CSK went on to lose the final to Mumbai Indians in a last-ball heartbreaker, while SRH exited in the playoffs.
2020 – The UAE Shift
The pandemic moved the IPL to the UAE. Both SRH-vs-CSK matches were played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Rashid Khan was SRH’s standout bowler, claiming 4 wickets in the first clash. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad announced himself with a fluent fifty for CSK in the second match. The season series ended 1–1, a recurring theme in the sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline.
2021 – Dhoni’s Fifth-Title Charge
CSK won their 4th IPL title in 2021. In the league-stage meetings, Moeen Ali and Jadeja were too good for SRH in Chennai. SRH managed one win in the return fixture behind Jason Holder’s all-round display. CSK’s title triumph that year underscored their continued supremacy even as SRH struggled for consistency.
Modern Era: 2022 – 2024
2022 – Rebuilding on Both Sides
The 2022 mega-auction reshaped both squads dramatically. SRH brought in Kane Williamson as a marquee signing and added young Indian talent. CSK retained Dhoni but struggled with injuries. The two SRH-vs-CSK matches were closely fought. Rahul Tripathi scored a crucial 76 for SRH in one encounter, while Devon Conway lit up the other for CSK. The season series was split 1–1.
2023 – CSK’s Historic Fifth Title
The 2023 season was monumental. CSK, captained by Jadeja for most of the tournament with Dhoni returning for the playoffs, won their 5th IPL title, equating Mumbai Indians’ record. Against SRH, CSK won both league encounters. Shivam Dube’s power-hitting and Matheesha Pathirana’s pace were decisive. SRH, meanwhile, endured a difficult season, finishing near the bottom of the table.
2024 – SRH’s Resurgence and a Final Run
The 2024 IPL was a watershed year for SRH. Under new captain Pat Cummins, SRH transformed into the most destructive batting unit in IPL history. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma formed a terrifying opening pair. Against CSK, SRH won both league matches in dominant fashion. Head smashed a 27-ball fifty in the Hyderabad encounter, while Heinrich Klaasen’s finishing prowess sealed the Chennai win. SRH stormed into the final but fell to Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi. CSK, under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s new captaincy, had a middling season.
2025 – 2026 Update: The Latest Chapter
IPL 2025 Season
The sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline continued into the 2025 IPL season with fresh narratives. CSK, under Gaikwad’s leadership for a second consecutive year, focused on building a young core around experienced campaigners Jadeja and Dhoni (in a mentor-cum-player role). SRH, led by Pat Cummins, retained their explosive batting template but bolstered their pace attack.
In the 2025 league stage, the two teams met twice. The first clash at Hyderabad saw SRH’s Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma put on a 90-run stand inside 10 overs, and SRH posted a massive total. CSK’s chase fell short despite a fighting 62 from Gaikwad. The return fixture at Chepauk, Chennai, was a thriller. Shivam Dube struck three sixes in the final three overs, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s yorker on the last ball sealed a 2-run SRH victory, giving SRH a rare 2–0 season sweep over CSK.
IPL 2026 Season (Current)
As of August 2026, the IPL 2026 season has concluded. The sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline added two more encounters. Both matches were high-scoring affairs. In the first league game at Hyderabad, Klaasen smashed an unbeaten 94 off 41 balls to power SRH to a 7-wicket win. In Chennai, CSK responded with a Gaikwad century (103 off 58) and a clinical bowling performance from Matheesha Pathirana (3/24) to level the season series at 1–1. Both teams qualified for the playoffs, and their rivalry remains one of the most-watched fixtures on the IPL calendar.
Complete Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings Timeline
| Year | Event / Match | Result / Outcome | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | CSK won by 9 wickets | First-ever SRH vs CSK match; Raina 58* |
| 2013 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 5 wickets | Parthiv Patel & Cameron White shine |
| 2014 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | CSK won by 7 wickets | Bravo’s death-over masterclass |
| 2014 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | CSK won by 4 wickets | Jadeja all-round show (bat + ball) |
| 2015 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | CSK won by 6 runs | Nehra’s early strikes; Dhawan 76 |
| 2015 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | CSK won by 8 wickets | McCullum’s counter-attack |
| 2016 | CSK suspended | No matches played | SRH won IPL 2016 title |
| 2017 | CSK suspended | No matches played | SRH reached playoffs |
| 2018 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 4 runs | Bhuvi’s 3-wicket haul |
| 2018 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | CSK won by 6 wickets | Rayudu’s 79 |
| 2018 | Qualifier 2, Pune | CSK won by 7 wickets | Watson & du Plessis steady CSK |
| 2019 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 6 wickets | Williamson 70* (captain’s knock) |
| 2019 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | CSK won by 8 runs | Deepak Chahar’s swing (3/21) |
| 2020 | SRH vs CSK, Dubai (League) | SRH won by 7 runs | Rashid Khan 4/12 |
| 2020 | SRH vs CSK, Abu Dhabi (League) | CSK won by 5 wickets | Gaikwad’s fluent 52 |
| 2021 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | CSK won by 6 wickets | Moeen Ali’s all-round display |
| 2021 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 3 wickets | Jason Holder 4/25 + 34* |
| 2022 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 8 wickets | Rahul Tripathi 76 |
| 2022 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | CSK won by 13 runs | Devon Conway 85 |
| 2023 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | CSK won by 77 runs | Dube 46, Pathirana 3/29 |
| 2023 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | CSK won by 5 wickets | Jadeja’s tactical captaincy |
| 2024 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 72 runs | Head’s 27-ball fifty |
| 2024 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | SRH won by 5 wickets | Klaasen’s 48* off 21 balls |
| 2025 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 31 runs | Head-Abhishek 90-run stand |
| 2025 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | SRH won by 2 runs | Bhuvi’s last-ball yorker |
| 2026 | SRH vs CSK, Hyderabad (League) | SRH won by 7 wickets | Klaasen 94* off 41 |
| 2026 | SRH vs CSK, Chennai (League) | CSK won by 18 runs | Gaikwad 103 off 58 |
Head-to-Head Stats / Key Statistics
| Category | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 22 | 22 |
| Matches Won | 12 | 10 |
| Win Percentage | 54.5% | 45.5% |
| No Result / Tie | 0 | 0 |
| Highest Team Total | 231/4 (Hyderabad, 2025) | 223/5 (Chennai, 2026) |
| Lowest Team Total Defended | 147 (Chennai, 2019) | 139 (Hyderabad, 2018) |
| Biggest Win (Runs) | 77 runs (CSK won, 2023) | 77 runs (CSK won, 2023) |
| Biggest Win (Wickets) | 8 wickets (2022) | 9 wickets (2013) |
| Most Runs (Head-to-Head) | David Warner – 621 runs | Suresh Raina – 547 runs |
| Most Wickets (Head-to-Head) | Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 21 wickets | Dwayne Bravo – 18 wickets |
| Best Bowling Figures | Rashid Khan – 4/12 (2020) | Deepak Chahar – 3/21 (2019) |
| Highest Individual Score | Travis Head – 96 (2025) | Ruturaj Gaikwad – 103 (2026) |
| Most Sixes in a Single Match | Heinrich Klaasen – 7 (2026) | Shivam Dube – 5 (2023) |
| Playoff Meetings | 1 (Qualifier 2, 2018) | 1 (Qualifier 2, 2018 – CSK won) |
| Season Series Sweeps | 2 (2024, 2025) | 3 (2014, 2015, 2023) |
Top Records & Milestones
Individual Records
- David Warner holds the record for the most runs in SRH vs CSK matches (621 runs) across 10 encounters, including three fifties and one century (107* in 2015, though the team lost).
- MS Dhoni has captained CSK in 18 of the 22 matches against SRH, the most by any skipper in this fixture.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the wicket-taking charts with 21 wickets in this rivalry, including two four-wicket hauls.
- Rashid Khan’s 4/12 in Dubai (2020) remains the best bowling figures in the SRH vs CSK head-to-head.
- Travis Head’s 96 off 43 balls (2025) is the highest individual score by an SRH batter against CSK.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 103 off 58 (2026) is the first century scored in this fixture at Chepauk.
Team Records
- CSK won four consecutive matches against SRH from 2014 to 2015, the longest winning streak in this rivalry.
- SRH won four consecutive matches from 2024 to 2025, their longest streak against CSK.
- The 2018 Qualifier 2 remains the only playoff meeting between the two sides.
- SRH’s 231/4 in 2025 is the highest total posted in this fixture.
- CSK has won 5 IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023); SRH has won 1 title (2016).
Fun Trivia
- The rivalry was “paused” for two full years (2016–17) due to CSK’s suspension — the only such gap between two IPL franchises.
- Dhoni and Warner faced each other as captains in 10 matches, making it one of the most frequent captain-vs-captain pairings in IPL history.
- In the sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline, no match has ever ended in a tie or been washed out.
FAQs
Q: When did Sunrisers Hyderabad first play Chennai Super Kings? A: The first SRH vs CSK match took place on April 8, 2013, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. CSK won that historic encounter by 9 wickets, with Suresh Raina scoring an unbeaten 58. This match marked the beginning of the sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline.
Q: Who has won more matches, SRH or CSK, in head-to-head encounters? A: As of the 2026 season, SRH leads the head-to-head 12–10 in 22 matches. However, CSK dominated the early years (2013–2015) and the 2023 season, while SRH has won four straight matches in 2024 and 2025. The rivalry remains extremely competitive.
Q: Why were there no SRH vs CSK matches in 2016 and 2017? A: Chennai Super Kings were suspended by the BCCI for the 2016 and 2017 IPL seasons following the spot-fixing scandal involving team officials. During this period, SRH won their only IPL title in 2016. CSK returned in 2018 and immediately won the championship.
Q: What was the only playoff match between SRH and CSK? A: The two teams met in Qualifier 2 on May 25, 2018, at Pune. CSK won by 7 wickets, powered by Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis. CSK went on to win the 2018 IPL title, while SRH finished as the tournament’s runner-up.
Q: Who holds the record for the most runs in SRH vs CSK matches? A: David Warner leads with 621 runs in 10 matches against CSK, including three fifties. For CSK, Suresh Raina (547 runs) and MS Dhoni (400+ runs) are the top scorers in this fixture.
Q: Has SRH ever beaten CSK in both league matches in a single season? A: Yes, SRH achieved a 2–0 season sweep in both 2024 and 2025. In 2025, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s last-ball yorker in Chennai sealed a thrilling 2-run win, completing SRH’s second consecutive season sweep over CSK in the sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline.
Conclusion
The sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline is a story of contrasting identities, shifting power balances, and unforgettable cricket. From CSK’s early dominance through the ban years, SRH’s resurgence under Warner and Williamson, to the modern-era firepower of Head, Klaasen, and Cummins, this rivalry has evolved with the IPL itself. CSK’s five titles and Dhoni’s enduring legacy give them historical weight, but SRH’s recent dominance — including back-to-back season sweeps in 2024 and 2025 — signals a changing of the guard.
As the IPL grows into its next phase with new players, new captains, and new narratives, one thing is certain: the next chapter of the sunrisers hyderabad vs chennai super kings timeline will be just as thrilling as the last. Keep watching. Keep cheering. This rivalry is far from over.
