Highest Totals by CSK in IPL History: Big Scores

Highest Totals by CSK in IPL History: Big Scores

Chennai Super Kings have built their IPL reputation around consistency, calm decision-making and experienced match-winners, but their batting history also includes some of the biggest totals the tournament has seen. From Michael Hussey and Matthew Hayden in the early years to Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Shane Watson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and the newer generation, CSK have repeatedly produced innings that put bowlers under pressure from the first over to the last.

Unlike some franchises whose highest totals are concentrated in the recent high-scoring IPL era, several of Chennai’s biggest scores came many years ago. most runs against RR. CSK’s 240/5 against Kings XI Punjab from the inaugural 2008 season also remains second on the franchise list.

More recent teams have added to that tradition. Chennai scored 235/4 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023, 230/5 against Gujarat Titans in 2025 and 226/6 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023. These performances show that CSK’s batting firepower has survived across several generations.

Highest Totals by CSK in IPL History

CSK’s top 10 includes scores from the very first IPL season through 2025. Their 246/5 remains the franchise record, while the 230/5 against Gujarat Titans is the newest entry inside the top five.

1. CSK – 246/5 vs Rajasthan Royals

Chennai Super Kings’ highest IPL total came against Rajasthan Royals at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on April 3, 2010.

Murali Vijay played the defining innings.

The opener smashed 127 from only 56 balls, hitting eight fours and 11 sixes. His innings remains the highest individual IPL score by a CSK batter through 2026.

Vijay attacked both pace and spin and never allowed Rajasthan to settle. most sixes in IPL.

Albie Morkel added another explosive contribution, scoring 62 from only 34 balls. The pair ensured Chennai maintained a scoring rate above 12 runs per over for most of the innings.

CSK eventually reached 246/5.

Rajasthan responded strongly and made 223/5, meaning the match produced a combined 469 runs. Chennai won by 23 runs.

What makes the record especially impressive is its longevity. Despite the dramatic rise in IPL scoring rates, no CSK side had surpassed 246 through the end of the 2026 season.

2. CSK – 240/5 vs Kings XI Punjab

Chennai showed their batting power almost immediately after entering the IPL.

In only their first match of the inaugural 2008 season, CSK scored 240/5 against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali.

Michael Hussey produced a sensational unbeaten 116 from 54 balls. He struck eight fours and nine sixes at a strike rate above 214.

The innings set the tone for CSK’s early IPL identity. Hussey combined clean conventional strokeplay with powerful hitting and ensured Chennai kept accelerating even after wickets fell.

CSK finished on 240/5, which remained their franchise record until Vijay’s 127 helped them reach 246 two seasons later.

Punjab also batted aggressively and replied with 207/4, but Chennai still won by 33 runs. The combined match aggregate reached 447 runs.

The match is historically important because it showed from the very beginning that CSK would not rely only on experienced middle-order control. They could also produce some of the league’s most aggressive batting.

3. CSK – 235/4 vs Kolkata Knight Riders

CSK’s highest total of the modern era came against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2023.

Chennai reached 235/4 after a complete batting performance built around Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube.

Conway gave CSK a strong start before Rahane and Dube took control through the middle and death overs.

Rahane produced one of the most attacking innings of his IPL career. He scored an unbeaten 71 from only 29 balls, while Dube hammered 50 from 21 deliveries.

The pair constantly targeted KKR’s spinners and fast bowlers, preventing the home side from controlling the run rate at any stage.

Chennai finished on 235/4, their third-highest IPL total.

KKR could manage only 186/8 in reply, giving Chennai a comfortable 49-run victory.

The innings was particularly important because it showed a different version of CSK’s batting. Instead of depending on one huge century, several batters contributed at high strike rates.

4. CSK – 230/5 vs Gujarat Titans

Chennai added another major score to the record books against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad in 2025.

CSK posted 230/5, their fourth-highest IPL total through 2026.

The innings showed Chennai’s modern batting depth. Instead of slowing after the Powerplay, the middle order continued attacking through the middle overs and then accelerated again at the death.

CSK’s ability to keep wickets in hand allowed the lower middle order to take more risks during the final five overs.

Gujarat never came close in the chase and Chennai won by 83 runs, making the performance one of their biggest recent victories.

The score also became important historically because it was the first new CSK entry inside the franchise’s top five since their 226/6 against RCB in 2023.

5. CSK – 226/6 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

CSK’s 226/6 against RCB in Bengaluru in 2023 produced one of the most entertaining high-scoring matches of that season.

Devon Conway led the innings with 83 from 45 balls. Shivam Dube provided the major acceleration with 52 from just 27 deliveries.

Ajinkya Rahane also contributed a quick 37 as Chennai consistently kept the scoring rate above 10 runs per over.

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is difficult to defend at because of its short boundaries and fast outfield, so Chennai knew they needed a huge total.

They reached 226/6.

RCB responded aggressively and came extremely close. Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis both played attacking innings as Bengaluru reached 218/8.

CSK eventually won by only eight runs. The combined match total of 444 runs remains one of the biggest in the CSK-RCB rivalry.

CSK’s Best Individual Batting Performances

Chennai’s biggest totals have often been built around major individual innings.

Murali Vijay remains at the top with his 127 against Rajasthan Royals.

Vijay’s 127 remains the franchise record, but Shane Watson’s 117* has special importance because it came in the 2018 IPL final against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Watson’s century helped Chennai chase the target comfortably and complete a championship-winning comeback after returning to the IPL that season.

Michael Hussey’s 116* in 2008 is another historically important innings because it came in CSK’s first IPL match.

Most Sixes in a CSK Innings

Murali Vijay’s 127 against Rajasthan Royals remains CSK’s standout individual six-hitting performance.

He struck 11 sixes during the innings, a mark that has also stood among the most sixes by an Indian batter in a single IPL innings.

Michael Hussey hit nine sixes in his unbeaten 116 against Punjab in 2008, while Shane Watson struck eight during his unbeaten 117 in the 2018 final.

CSK’s biggest team totals have often depended on multiple batters clearing the ropes rather than one hitter doing all the work.

The 246/5 against Rajasthan combined Vijay’s 11 sixes with powerful support from Albie Morkel.

Similarly, the 235/4 against KKR in 2023 featured sustained hitting from Rahane and Dube, while the 226/6 against RCB was powered by Conway, Dube and Rahane attacking throughout the innings.

Famous CSK Record-Breaking Matches

Vijay’s 127 Powers CSK to 246

The 2010 match against Rajasthan remains the defining high-scoring game in CSK history.

Vijay’s 127 helped Chennai set a franchise record that still stands. Rajasthan replied with 223, making the match one of the highest-scoring contests of the early IPL era.

Hussey Announces CSK’s Arrival

CSK’s first IPL match could hardly have produced a stronger batting statement.

Hussey’s unbeaten 116 powered Chennai to 240/5 and immediately placed the franchise among the league’s strongest batting teams.

Watson Wins the 2018 Final

CSK’s most important individual batting performance did not produce one of their highest team totals, but it remains impossible to ignore.

Watson scored 117* in the 2018 final against Sunrisers Hyderabad and guided Chennai to the title.

The innings came after he struggled initially, then accelerated dramatically once set.

CSK Score 218 and Still Lose

One of Chennai’s most famous high-scoring defeats came against Mumbai Indians in Delhi in 2021.

CSK scored 218/4, but Mumbai chased 219/6 through Kieron Pollard’s extraordinary unbeaten 87.

The match remains an example of how even a total above 215 can be vulnerable in the IPL.

2023 Produces Three Huge CSK Scores

The 2023 season was especially productive for Chennai’s batting.

They scored 235/4 against KKR, 226/6 against RCB and 223/3 against Delhi Capitals. All three totals remain inside CSK’s all-time top 10.

That season eventually ended with CSK winning their fifth IPL championship.

Why CSK’s Highest Score Has Lasted So Long

CSK’s record of 246/5 was set in 2010, long before IPL teams began regularly scoring above 240.

That makes the total unusual.

Modern franchises benefit from deeper batting lineups, more aggressive Powerplay tactics and the Impact Player rule, yet Chennai still have not surpassed the total produced by Vijay and Morkel more than a decade ago.

One reason is CSK’s traditional batting strategy. The franchise has often focused on controlling chases, preserving wickets and accelerating late rather than attacking at maximum risk for all 20 overs.

That approach has delivered titles and consistency, even if it has produced fewer 250-plus totals than some modern teams.

Still, CSK remain one of the IPL’s most reliable 200-plus scoring franchises, with major totals spread across several different eras.

FAQs

What is CSK’s highest total in IPL history?

Chennai Super Kings’ highest IPL total is 246/5 against Rajasthan Royals in Chennai in 2010. Murali Vijay scored 127 from 56 balls.

What is CSK’s second-highest IPL total?

CSK’s second-highest score is 240/5 against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali in 2008. Michael Hussey scored an unbeaten 116.

Who has the highest individual score for CSK?

Murali Vijay holds the record with 127 against Rajasthan Royals in 2010. He hit eight fours and 11 sixes.

What is CSK’s highest total since 2020?

CSK’s highest total since 2020 is 235/4 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in 2023.

How many of CSK’s top 10 totals came in 2023?

Three. CSK scored 235/4 against KKR, 226/6 against RCB and 223/3 against Delhi Capitals during the 2023 season.

What is CSK’s highest total in a losing match?

CSK scored 218/4 against Mumbai Indians in Delhi in 2021 but lost after MI chased 219 with four wickets remaining.