IPL: Top 5 rivalries in the history of the tournament

The Indian Premier League is, quite simply, the most lucrative, star-studded cricket tournament in the world. Huge sixes, diving and sliding stops, brilliant fielding, close finishes are all part of the show.

The most entertaining cricket league has completed a decade and a total of 13 teams have featured in the IPL, out of which only Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians have lifted the trophy in IPL history so far.

There have been some memorable matches with some outstanding performances throughout the 10 years of IPL. Rivalries are a part of sport and there have been some classic encounters between IPL teams.

Some of best team rivalries in IPL are:

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#5 Delhi Daredevils vs Mumbai Indians

IPL rivalry between two of the biggest cities in India makes the cut on the expense of KKR-RR rivalry. While one of the above teams has won the IPL thrice, the other has had a disappointing decade after showing strong promises in the initial seasons.

Initially termed as battle of heavyweights, Mumbai have won 11 out of 20 matches with Delhi winning the other 9. In fact, Mumbai is one of the few teams against which Delhi Daredevils have had a good winning track record. Both the teams have never played against each other in the play-offs. In this year both the teams would be led by arguably 2 of best captains in the IPL in the form of Mumbai's Rohit Sharma and Delhi's Gautam Gambhir.

STATS:

Total matches played - 20

Won by MI - 11

Won by DD - 9

No result - 0

#4 Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders

It is very difficult to read into a head to head record between two teams, as there are considerable changes in the team combinations from season to season. It started as a battle between 2 of the finest Indian Batsman in the form of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.

Mumbai Indians have held the bragging rights in the rivalry as they have won 16 matches against Kolkata, which is the most by any team in head to head meetings. Also, KKR lost first 5 matches by huge margins.

Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma loves playing against KKR as he has scored 312 runs in 6 matches against them.

STATS:

Total matches played - 21

Won by MI - 16

Won by KKR - 5

No result - 0

#3 Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Bangalore has definitely won more matches than Kolkata but Kolkata has won an IPL championship unlike Bangalore. On head to head though, KKR has an edge as they have won 12 out of 21 matches played between them. The 1st match of the inaugural IPL was also played between these 2 sides with KKR winning by 140 runs with Brendon Mccullum remaining unbeaten on 158.

Also from Kohli's spat with Gambhir to Gayle's departure and eventual success at RCB, everything just adds up to this amazing rivalry. RCB would like to make the amends and level score against KKR in this year IPL as KKR would be without Gautam Gambhir who will captain Delhi Daredevils in the 11th edition of the IPL.

STATS:

Total matches played - 21

Won by RCB- 9

Won by KKR - 12

No result - 0

#2 Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Also known as the Ashes of South, CSK-RCB rivalry takes up the 2nd spot. This could be considered as a South Indian derby virtually, as these are two of the biggest cities in that part of the country. The intensity of rivalry is also due to political differences between the two states regarding Kaveri River. The first time these two teams met in IPL was on 28 April 2008 where CSK won by 13 runs.

Led by two of the best Indian players in the form of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, they have played each other 21 times in the IPL. The added aggression is the tussle between fire and ice, between fiery RCB skipper Virat Kohli and the original captain cool, MS Dhoni of CSK.

STATS:

Total matches played - 21

Won by RCB - 7

Won by CSK - 13

No result - 1

#1 Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings

The best two teams in IPL take up the top spot. Mumbai had a couple of off seasons earlier on, but ever since Rohit Sharma took over the captaincy in 2013, fortunes changed for the team. While on the other hand, Chennai Super Kings is by far the most consistent team. Also, CSK and MI have met each other the most number of times (24). These are the only two teams in the IPL who have faced each other thrice in finals of the tournament with Mumbai winning two of them.

CSK have the better head-to-head record against every IPL team except MI , who lead 13 to 11 in 24 meetings between the two teams. Having two of the most successful cricketers in CSK's MS Dhoni and MI's Sachin Tendulkar has enhanced the rivalry. They will play the inaugural match in this year's IPL.

STATS:

Total matches played - 24

Won by MI - 13

Won by CSK - 11

No result - 0