The DC vs CSK timeline tells the story of one of the Indian Premier League’s longest-running rivalries. From Delhi Daredevils taking on Chennai Super Kings in 2008 to the latest fixtures in 2026, the contest has featured close finishes, emphatic victories and three high-pressure playoff encounters.
Across 33 IPL matches through 2026, Chennai Super Kings have won 21 and Delhi Capitals have won 12. Chennai’s advantage is substantial, but the overall numbers hide periods of Delhi dominance, especially in 2020 and the league stage of 2021. This guide follows every result chronologically and explains how the rivalry changed over time.
DC vs CSK Head-to-Head Record at a Glance
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| First IPL meeting | 2 May 2008 |
| Most recent meeting | 5 May 2026 |
| Matches played | 33 |
| CSK wins | 21 (63.64%) |
| DC wins | 12 (36.36%) |
| Ties / no results | 0 |
| Playoff meetings | 3; CSK won all three |
| Latest result | CSK won by 8 wickets in Delhi |
Graph: All-Time IPL Wins
DC vs CSK Timeline: Every IPL Match Result
Delhi played under the name Delhi Daredevils until 2018. For consistency, the table uses DC throughout. All 33 results are listed from the first meeting to the most recent, with the winning side and victory margin.
| Season | Match | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 May | DC | 8 wickets |
| 2008 | 8 May | CSK | 4 wickets |
| 2009 | 23 April | DC | 9 runs |
| 2009 | 2 May | CSK | 18 runs |
| 2010 | 19 March | CSK | 5 wickets |
| 2010 | 15 April | DC | 6 wickets |
| 2011 | 12 May | CSK | 18 runs |
| 2012 | 10 April | DC | 8 wickets |
| 2012 | 12 May | CSK | 9 wickets |
| 2012 | 25 May (Qualifier 2) | CSK | 86 runs |
| 2013 | 18 April | CSK | 86 runs |
| 2013 | 14 May | CSK | 33 runs |
| 2014 | 21 April | CSK | 93 runs |
| 2014 | 5 May | CSK | 8 wickets |
| 2015 | 9 April | CSK | 1 run |
| 2015 | 12 May | DC | 6 wickets |
| 2018 | 30 April | CSK | 13 runs |
| 2018 | 18 May | DC | 34 runs |
| 2019 | 26 March | CSK | 6 wickets |
| 2019 | 1 May | CSK | 80 runs |
| 2019 | 10 May (Qualifier 2) | CSK | 6 wickets |
| 2020 | 25 September | DC | 44 runs |
| 2020 | 17 October | DC | 5 wickets |
| 2021 | 10 April | DC | 7 wickets |
| 2021 | 4 October | DC | 3 wickets |
| 2021 | 10 October (Qualifier 1) | CSK | 4 wickets |
| 2022 | 8 May | CSK | 91 runs |
| 2023 | 10 May | CSK | 27 runs |
| 2023 | 20 May | CSK | 77 runs |
| 2024 | 31 March | DC | 20 runs |
| 2025 | 5 April | DC | 25 runs |
| 2026 | 11 April | CSK | 23 runs |
| 2026 | 5 May | CSK | 8 wickets |
Date conventions can differ between scorecard databases, especially for older fixtures. The winner and victory margin are the primary comparison points. Match counts include playoff games but exclude the 2016 and 2017 seasons, when CSK did not participate.
2008–2011: The Rivalry Takes Shape
The first chapter began in IPL 2008, when Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings each won one of their two meetings. Delhi’s early squad featured explosive top-order batting, while Chennai rapidly developed a reputation for measured chases and flexible team combinations. That contrast made their fixtures compelling even before either team had built a long head-to-head history.
The teams again split their two encounters in 2009. The tournament’s move to South Africa created unfamiliar conditions and placed a premium on adapting quickly. Delhi secured a nine-run victory in one match; Chennai responded with an 18-run success in the other. Neither side established a lasting advantage during those opening two seasons.
In 2010, the teams again exchanged wins. Chennai took the first meeting by five wickets, but Delhi responded with a six-wicket victory. By 2011, however, CSK were beginning to establish the sustained consistency that would characterise the franchise. Chennai won their only encounter that season by 18 runs, moving the overall rivalry gradually in their favour.
2012–2015: Chennai Build a Clear Advantage
The 2012 season became a major turning point. Delhi won the first league meeting by eight wickets, but Chennai recovered to win the next by nine wickets. The decisive clash came in Qualifier 2, where CSK defeated Delhi by 86 runs. That knockout result carried more weight than a routine league win: it demonstrated Chennai’s ability to produce a dominant performance when a place in the final was at stake.
CSK then won both fixtures in 2013, by 86 and 33 runs, and repeated the clean sweep in 2014. One 2014 victory came by 93 runs, among the most emphatic margins in this fixture’s history. These successive wins turned an initially balanced contest into a rivalry increasingly shaped by Chennai’s batting depth and match management.
Delhi nevertheless delivered resistance in 2015. Chennai edged the first game by a single run, illustrating how small the margins could become, before Delhi won the return match by six wickets. The split provided a reminder that the historical leader could still be challenged. CSK did not compete in the 2016 and 2017 IPL seasons, so there were no meetings during those years.
2018–2019: Return of CSK and the Playoff Battles
When Chennai returned in 2018, the teams split their meetings once again. CSK won the first by 13 runs, while Delhi took the second by 34 runs. The 2018 season also marked the final year of the Delhi Daredevils identity; the franchise subsequently adopted the Delhi Capitals name.
In 2019, Chennai won all three encounters. Two were league matches, and the third was Qualifier 2 in Visakhapatnam, which CSK won by six wickets. That playoff success reinforced an important theme in the timeline: Delhi could compete over the league season, but Chennai had repeatedly prevailed in their direct knockout meetings.
For a more detailed statistical comparison, see the DC vs CSK head-to-head record.
2020–2021: Delhi’s Strongest Sustained Spell
Delhi’s fortunes improved significantly in 2020. Playing in the United Arab Emirates, DC won both fixtures, first by 44 runs and then by five wickets. Their ability to win while setting a target and while chasing suggested a more adaptable side. It also interrupted the pattern of Chennai domination that had defined much of the previous decade.
The trend continued during the league stage in 2021. Delhi won the first meeting by seven wickets and the second by three wickets. That gave DC four consecutive league-stage victories against CSK across 2020 and 2021. For supporters tracking the rivalry year by year, this remains one of the clearest examples of Delhi gaining the upper hand.
Yet Chennai reversed the result when it mattered most. In Qualifier 1 on 10 October 2021, CSK chased Delhi’s 172/5 and won by four wickets. The result sent Chennai directly into the IPL final and preserved their perfect head-to-head record against Delhi in playoff matches. The season therefore encapsulated the rivalry’s central tension: Delhi were capable of controlling league encounters, while Chennai excelled in the knockout stage.
2022–2023: Chennai Reassert Their Control
CSK regained momentum in 2022 with a commanding 91-run victory. The result ended Delhi’s recent run of success and showed how quickly a rivalry can swing when one team delivers a complete performance with bat and ball.
Chennai continued their revival in 2023, winning both matches. They first defended a total to win by 27 runs in Chennai, then defeated Delhi by 77 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. In that second encounter, CSK posted 223/3, one of their highest totals in the fixture. The wins helped reinforce the impression that Chennai’s experienced core could manage different venues and match situations.
Although individual squads changed over the years, the tactical contrast remained familiar. CSK frequently relied on structured batting partnerships and bowling plans tailored to conditions. Delhi’s best victories often came when their top order gave the bowlers scoreboard pressure or when their attack controlled the middle overs.
2024–2026: Delhi Respond, Then Chennai Hit Back
Delhi ended Chennai’s recent winning sequence in 2024 with a 20-run victory at Visakhapatnam. DC scored 191/5 and restricted CSK to 171/6. The match was a reminder that the rivalry remained competitive despite Chennai’s stronger overall record.
In 2025, Delhi again won, this time by 25 runs at Chennai’s home ground. DC made 183/6 and held CSK to 158/5. Winning at Chepauk was particularly notable because the venue has historically favoured Chennai in this head-to-head series.
CSK reversed the momentum in IPL 2026. On 11 April, Chennai posted 212/2 at Chepauk and dismissed Delhi for 189, winning by 23 runs. In the return fixture on 5 May, Delhi made 155/7 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, but Chennai reached 159/2 in 17.3 overs to win by eight wickets. These two results extended Chennai’s all-time lead to 21–12 after 33 meetings.
Season-by-Season DC vs CSK Results
Comparing victories by season reveals the changing balance more clearly than the overall total alone. Chennai swept both games in 2013, 2014, 2023 and 2026, and won all three in 2019. Delhi swept 2020 and won two of three in 2021.
| IPL season | Matches | CSK wins | DC wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Graph: Wins by IPL Era
The grouped bars below summarise the rivalry across three phases rather than treating all 33 games as a single unchanging story.
2008–2015: CSK 11 – DC 5
2018–2021: CSK 5 – DC 5
2022–2026: CSK 5 – DC 2
Three IPL Playoff Meetings That Shaped the Rivalry
Not every league victory has the same significance as a knockout result. Chennai have won each of their three playoff encounters against Delhi, making these matches central to any meaningful DC vs CSK timeline.
| Season | Stage | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Qualifier 2 | CSK | 86 runs |
| 2019 | Qualifier 2 | CSK | 6 wickets |
| 2021 | Qualifier 1 | CSK | 4 wickets |
The 2012 win was particularly emphatic, while the 2019 meeting again blocked Delhi’s route to the final. In 2021, Delhi entered the playoff contest after winning both league matches against Chennai, only for CSK to overturn that pattern in a high-pressure chase. This illustrates why the head-to-head story cannot be understood through total wins alone.
What Makes the DC vs CSK Rivalry Different?
Unlike some IPL rivalries defined by a single star batter or one dramatic final, this contest spans multiple generations of players and several distinct tactical eras. Delhi’s franchise rebranding, Chennai’s two-season absence, and the IPL’s relocation to overseas venues all changed the setting without ending the rivalry.
Venue has mattered, too. Chepauk traditionally rewards teams that understand its changing pace and spin-friendly phases, while Delhi can produce very different scoring conditions. Neutral venues such as Dubai and Visakhapatnam have also hosted important meetings. That variety makes the timeline useful for analysing not just which team won, but how each adapted.
Delhi’s strongest periods show the value of disciplined bowling and confident chases. Chennai’s repeated sweeps demonstrate the benefit of continuity, flexible roles and execution under pressure. These are broad historical tendencies rather than guarantees for future fixtures: team selection, form, pitch conditions and availability change from season to season.
Key Records and Milestones
- Most overall wins: Chennai Super Kings, with 21 victories.
- Delhi’s strongest recent run: Four consecutive league-stage wins across 2020 and 2021.
- Playoff advantage: CSK have won all three postseason meetings.
- Highest CSK total in this rivalry: 223/3 against Delhi in 2023.
- Closest listed result: CSK’s one-run victory in 2015.
- Latest result: CSK won by eight wickets on 5 May 2026.
For scorecards and match-by-match comparisons, consult the official Indian Premier League website. The IPL’s historical match archive is useful for checking scorecards, venue details and individual performances before publishing updates.
Frequently Asked Questions About the DC vs CSK Timeline
How many IPL matches have DC and CSK played?
Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings have played 33 IPL matches through the 2026 season, including three playoff encounters.
Who has won more matches between DC and CSK?
Chennai Super Kings lead with 21 wins, compared with Delhi Capitals’ 12 victories.
When did DC and CSK first play each other?
Their first IPL meeting took place on 2 May 2008. Delhi, then known as Delhi Daredevils, won by eight wickets.
Who won the latest DC vs CSK match?
Chennai Super Kings won by eight wickets in Delhi on 5 May 2026, reaching 159/2 in reply to Delhi’s 155/7.
Have DC and CSK met in the IPL playoffs?
Yes. They met in 2012 Qualifier 2, 2019 Qualifier 2 and 2021 Qualifier 1. Chennai won all three.
Why are there no DC vs CSK games in 2016 and 2017?
Chennai Super Kings did not participate in those two IPL seasons, so the teams did not meet.
Did Delhi Daredevils become Delhi Capitals?
Yes. Delhi Daredevils was the franchise’s former name, used through IPL 2018. Historical matches under that name count toward the same head-to-head record.
Conclusion: How the Rivalry Has Evolved
The DC vs CSK timeline is more than a list of match results. Its early seasons were competitive, Chennai dominated much of the middle period, Delhi enjoyed a resurgence in 2020–21, and the teams traded momentum again from 2022 to 2026. Chennai’s 21–12 advantage and unbeaten playoff record give them the stronger historical position, but Delhi’s wins at Visakhapatnam in 2024 and Chepauk in 2025 show why every new meeting deserves fresh analysis.
For readers comparing future fixtures, the most useful approach is to combine this historical timeline with current squads, venue conditions and recent form rather than assuming that past results will repeat.