Top 5 IPL rivalries: When teams vie for success by fair means or foul

IPL frenzy is returning with its 11th edition to entertain the teeming crowds, kick-starting on 7 April.

As the blazing sun goes up, the Indian Premier League assures to raise the temperature even higher where eight teams take on each other to clinch the coveted trophy of the IPL.

When it’s the world’s most anticipated T20 League, the excitement never fades and the stone of rivalry never decays.

In the history of IPL these are the arch rivals who whenever collide create a bang:

Chennai vs Mumbai:

The rivalry of CSK and MI is often touted as the ultimate one since the inception of IPL in 2008.

Chennai Super Kings is undoubtedly the most consistent team of the Indian Premier League who will be returning this year after serving a two-year suspension.

The two teams have played against each other 24 times where Mumbai Indians have won 13 times. Chennai and Mumbai have met each in the final knockout thrice where Mumbai has beaten Chennai twice.

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Chennai vs Bangalore:

The South Indian derby between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League is a famous rivalry as it also represents the political dispute which involves the two states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The two teams have clashed 20 times in the IPL where CSK has emerged victorious 13 times. The statistics might favour Dhoni’s team but Bangalore has managed to give Chennai a tough competition in every match.

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Kolkata vs Bangalore:

Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore have encountered each other 20 times where KKR clinched victory 11 games while as RCB has won the remaining 9 games.

KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir and RCB’s Virat  Kohli indulged in an on-field spat when Kohli made a remark after getting dismissed. Gambhir lost his calm and Raj Bhatia has to come in between to control the situation.

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Also Read: 5 IPL Controversies: When BCCI had to deal with off-pitch fireworks 

Kolkata vs Rajasthan:

The teams of Rajasthan and Kolkata are owned by Bollywood heartthrobs Shilpa Shetty and Shah Rukh Khan. Both the teams have performed well in their home conditions and have possessed similar strengths and weaknesses over the years.

The first super-over of 2009 in South Africa between Rajasthan and Kolkata is still engraved in the hearts of IPL fans.  Rajasthan is returning after two years and it would look forward to level the score of 6-5 (11 matches) with Kolkata.

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Mumbai vs Bangalore:

Both the teams are considered to be the best sides of IPL. Mumbai Indians have lifted the IPL trophy thrice whereas RCB has played two finals but have never clinched the title.  However, their encounter has always thrilled the audience. They have met 19 matches against each other where Mumbai has won 11 matches while as Bangalore has won 11 matches.

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With this season, Chennai and Rajasthan back into the fray after two years, the tournament would get grander and better.