How Many Times CSK Lost Finals in IPL History?

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is one of the most successful and consistent teams in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Led by the legendary MS Dhoni, CSK has dominated the league with numerous playoff appearances and multiple title wins. However, while the team has lifted the IPL trophy several times, it has also suffered heartbreak in several final matches.

So, how many times has CSK lost finals in IPL history?

Chennai Super Kings have lost a total of 5 IPL finals, making them the team with the most runner-up finishes in the tournament’s history. Despite playing in 10 IPL finals, they have managed to win 5 titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023), but have fallen short five times.

This article provides a detailed breakdown of every IPL final CSK lost, the reasons behind their defeats, and how they have bounced back to maintain their dominance.

How Many Times CSK Lost Finals in IPL History?

Season	Opponent	Venue	Result	Margin
2008	Rajasthan Royals	DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai	Lost	By 3 wickets
2012	Kolkata Knight Riders	M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	Lost	By 5 wickets
2013	Mumbai Indians	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	Lost	By 23 runs
2015	Mumbai Indians	Eden Gardens, Kolkata	Lost	By 41 runs
2019	Mumbai Indians	Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad	Lost	By 1 run

1. IPL 2008 Final – CSk Lost to Rajasthan Royals

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) reached the final of the inaugural IPL season in 2008, proving themselves as one of the strongest teams in the league. However, they fell short in a nail-biting contest against the Rajasthan Royals, losing by three wickets at the DY Patil Stadium on June 1, 2008.

Batting first, CSK posted a competitive total of 163/5 in 20 overs, with crucial contributions from Suresh Raina (43 off 30) and MS Dhoni (29* off 17).

Rajasthan’s Yusuf Pathan turned the game in his team’s favor with an all-round performance, taking three wickets for 22 runs and scoring a match-winning 56 off 39 balls. With one run required off the last ball, Sohail Tanvir sealed the victory for the Royals, handing CSK their first-ever IPL final defeat.

Match Date: June 1, 2008

Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 3 wickets

2. IPL 2012 Final – Csk Lost to Kolkata Knight Riders

In the 2012 IPL final, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) played against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 27, 2012, at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

CSK batted first and scored 190/3, with Suresh Raina making 73 runs, Mike Hussey scoring 54, and Murali Vijay adding 42. KKR started badly, losing captain Gautam Gambhir for just 2 runs, but Manvinder Bisla (89 off 48) and Jacques Kallis (69 off 49) built a strong partnership.

CSK’s bowlers could not stop KKR, and in the final over, Manoj Tiwary hit two fours, helping KKR win their first-ever IPL title. CSK lost their second IPL final, despite being the defending champions.

• Match Date: May 27, 2012
• Result: KKR won by 5 wickets

3. IPL 2013 Final – CSK Lost to Mumbai Indians

In the 2013 IPL final, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 26, 2013, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Mumbai batted first and scored 148/9 in 20 overs, thanks to Kieron Pollard’s unbeaten 60 off 32 balls, which earned him the Man of the Match award.

CSK had a disastrous start, losing early wickets, with Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson dismantling the top order.

Despite MS Dhoni’s fighting 63 off 45 balls*, CSK was restricted to 125/9, losing the match by 23 runs. This was CSK’s third IPL final loss, and Mumbai secured their first-ever IPL title, marking a historic win.

• Match Date: May 26, 2013
• Result: MI won by 23 runs

4. IPL 2015 Final – CSK Lost to Mumbai Indians

In the 2015 IPL final, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) played against Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 24, 2015, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Mumbai batted first and scored 202/5 in 20 overs. Lendl Simmons (68 off 45) and Rohit Sharma (50 off 26) gave a strong start, while Kieron Pollard (36 off 18) and Ambati Rayudu (36 off 24) finished the innings well.

Chasing 203, CSK struggled to score quickly. Dwayne Smith made 57 off 48 balls, but other batsmen could not build big partnerships.

Mitchell McClenaghan (3/25), Lasith Malinga (2/25), and Harbhajan Singh (2/34) bowled well for Mumbai, stopping CSK at 161/8. Mumbai won by 41 runs, securing their second IPL title, while CSK lost their fourth IPL final.

• Match Date: May 24, 2015
• Result: MI won by 41 runs

5. IPL 2019 Final – CSK Lost to Mumbai Indians

In the 2019 IPL final, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 12, 2019, at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad. Mumbai batted first and scored 149/8 in 20 overs, with Kieron Pollard top-scoring with 41 off 25 balls. CSK’s Deepak Chahar took 3 wickets to restrict MI.

Chasing 150, Shane Watson played a brilliant knock of 80 off 59 balls, but CSK lost wickets at crucial moments. With 2 runs needed off the final ball, Lasith Malinga dismissed Shardul Thakur, and CSK fell just 1 run short, scoring 148/7.

Jasprit Bumrah (2/14) was named Man of the Match. This heartbreaking loss marked CSK’s fifth IPL final defeat, while MI lifted their fourth IPL title.

• Match Date: May 12, 2019
• Result: MI won by 1 run (closest final in IPL history)

How CSK Bounced Back After Final Defeats

Despite facing multiple IPL final losses, CSK has always come back stronger. Here’s how they responded to each loss:

• After losing in 2008, CSK won the IPL in 2010 & 2011.
• After losing in 2012 & 2013, CSK won again in 2018 after a two-year suspension.
• After losing in 2019, CSK won IPL 2021, their fourth title.

This shows that CSK’s resilience and ability to bounce back from failure make them one of the most successful teams in IPL history.

CSK’s Final Appearances & Titles Won

Season	Opponent	Result	Titles Won?
2008	Rajasthan Royals	Lost	❌
2010	Mumbai Indians	Won	✅
2011	Royal Challengers Bangalore	Won	✅
2012	Kolkata Knight Riders	Lost	❌
2013	Mumbai Indians	Lost	❌
2015	Mumbai Indians	Lost	❌
2018	Sunrisers Hyderabad	Won	✅
2019	Mumbai Indians	Lost	❌
2021	Kolkata Knight Riders	Won	✅
2023	Gujarat Titans	Won	✅

CSK has the most IPL final appearances (10) and the second-most IPL titles (5) after Mumbai Indians (5 titles).

Final Verdict: The Most Consistent IPL Team

Even though CSK has lost 5 IPL finals, they remain the most consistent team in IPL history. Their ability to reach 10 finals in 14 seasons is unmatched.

What do you think? Will CSK win another IPL title, or will they face heartbreak again? Let us know in the comments! 🚀🏏