Questions surrounding which is the no 1 team in IPL have been raging since Rajasthan Royals won the very first season of the Indian Premier League in 2008. Chennai Super Kings are definitely the no 1 team in IPL when all factors are taken into consideration.
IPL teams have a massive fan following all over the world because of the popularity of the league. Some of the sport’s greatest superstars have been a part of these successful teams and have led them to glory.
The Indian Premier League has been held every year since 2008 and over the last 13 years, it has seen six teams winning the IPL title. High-flying sixes, jaw-dropping yorkers and dismissals, diving catches, athletic fielding and non-stop entertainment with plenty of support from fans – these are some of the key aspects that can be associated with the most successful teams.
But how do we determine which is the most successful team in IPL history? Well, several factors can be taken into consideration.
No 1 team in IPL: Who has won the most titles?
If we talk solely about titles won, then Mumbai Indians come out on top. Mumbai Indians is the only team in IPL history to have won the IPL title five times. Chennai Super Kings is the second most successful IPL team by that logic as they lifted their fourth IPL title in 2021 after beating Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have shared the last five IPL titles between them.
Below is the list of teams that have lifted the IPL title:
| S.N | Teams | Trophies |
| 1 | Mumbai Indians | 5 |
| 2 | Chennai Super Kings | 4 |
| 3 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 2 |
| 4 | Rajasthan Royals | 1 |
| 5 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 1 |
| 6 | Deccan Chargers | 1 |
Among the currently active teams in the Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings haven’t won the trophy yet. This will be the first season for Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants.
While it goes without saying that Mumbai Indians are a major contender when it comes to the most successful team in IPL history, there are several more factors that come into play during the discussion. Mumbai Indians may have more titles to their name but it must be mentioned that their first IPL title arrived in 2013. They have won all of their IPL trophies under Rohit Sharma who is one of the most successful captains in the league’s history.
However, the winning percentage of teams paints a better picture as it also considers consistency and domination shown during the league stage.
No 1 team in IPL: Who has the best winning percentage?
| Team | Span | Mat | Won | Lost | Tie+W | Tie+L | NR | Win Percentage |
| Mumbai Indians | 2008-2021 | 217 | 125 | 88 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 58.52 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 2008-2021 | 195 | 117 | 76 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 60.56 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 2008-2021 | 209 | 107 | 98 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 52.15 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2008-2021 | 211 | 98 | 106 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 48.06 |
| Punjab Kings | 2008-2021 | 204 | 91 | 109 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 45.58 |
| Delhi Capitals | 2008-2021 | 210 | 93 | 111 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 45.67 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 2008-2021 | 175 | 84 | 86 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 49.42 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2013-2021 | 138 | 68 | 66 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 50.72 |
| Deccan Chargers | 2008-2012 | 75 | 29 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38.66 |
| Rising Pune Supergiant | 2016-2017 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
| Gujarat Lions | 2016-2017 | 30 | 13 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 |
| Pune Warriors | 2011-2013 | 46 | 12 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26.66 |
| Kochi Tuskers Kerala | 2011-2011 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42.85 |
Although Mumbai Indians have won the most IPL matches, it is Chennai Super Kings who lead the table when it comes to winning percentage. The MS Dhoni-led side has been consistent since 2008 and has the highest winning percentage of 60.56 in the history of the league.
Chennai Super Kings have also qualified for the playoffs in every season except IPL 2020. Chennai Super Kings are also the only IPL team to have qualified for the final a record nine times! They’ve also finished on top of the IPL points table after the league stage twice in 2013 and 2015 and have lifted four IPL trophies.
Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have played as many as four IPL finals against each other so far. Their clashes in the Indian Premier League are hotly anticipated and have a similar level of excitement as India vs Pakistan matches.
Let’s see who comes out on top in the head-to-head record between the two teams.
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians: Head-to-head record
The two teams squared off against each other for the first time on April 23, 2008 at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Chennai Super Kings came out on top in that high-scoring thriller by six runs as Mumbai Indians failed to chase their score of 208.
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have played 32 matches so far. Mumbai Indians have won 19 matches while Chennai Super Kings have 13 wins to their name.
| Matches Played | 32 |
| CSK Won | 13 |
| MI Won | 19 |
| Tie | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
It is also important to mention here that Chennai Super Kings were banned from the IPL along with Rajasthan Royals in 2016 and 2017 because of the spot-fixing controversy in IPL 2013 finals. Therefore, their winning percentage would’ve been even higher and maybe even an additional trophy.
Chennai Super Kings have a winning percentage of nearly 60 having played 195 matches which is easier said than done. It is higher than any of the 13 teams that have won the IPL. They have also played 22 matches less compared to Mumbai Indians. MS Dhoni’s brigade has also won IPL Fair Play award six times in their 12 seasons so far. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have won only on two occasions.
Chennai Super Kings have been consistent since the very first season of the IPL. They qualified for the final in 2008 but came up short against Rajasthan Royals. They got eliminated from the semi-final the following season but won the IPL in 2010 and 2011. They were the first (and the only team until 2020) to defend their IPL title. They reached the final once again in 2012, 2013 and 2015. Despite their ban from the Indian Premier League, CSK staged a fairytale comeback after winning the IPL in 2018 and then fell short once again in the final in 2019. They lifted their fourth IPL title last season, beating Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.
Taking their consistency, domination, IPL titles as well as their victories into consideration, it can be said that Chennai Super Kings are the No 1 team in IPL history.
FAQs
Who finished on top of the IPL points table in 2021?
Delhi Capitals finished on top of the IPL points table in 2021 with 10 wins from 14 matches in the league stage. They had 20 points and were followed by Chennai Super Kings in the second position.
What are the IPL teams?
The current IPL teams are: Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Which team finished on top of the IPL 2020 points table?
With nine wins from 14 matches and 18 points, Mumbai Indians finished on top of the IPL 2020 table. They were followed by Delhi Capitals.
