The IPL is one of the most exciting tournaments to watch. The things that make the viewers watch the IPL are the interesting matches and intense player actions, which over time take over everyone’s screen. As it has now been more than 15 years since the beginning of the IPL, there have been many intense moments and games between players and their teams. Over time, these moments and exciting matches gained more and more popularity among the masses. There are several reasons, such as the quality of the players, the player vs. player action, or just the history of both teams playing in the match.
1. Mumbai Indians Vs Chennai Super Kings
This is the greatest rivalry when it comes to the IPL. Many times, this rivalry has also been called "El Classico" of the IPL. The main reason this rivalry is so popular is the amount of success both of these teams have achieved. The Mumbai Indians have won the IPL five times, and the Chennai Super Kings have won it four times. Both have competed in the finals of the IPL four times, out of which Chennai won in 2010 and the rest in 2013, 15, and 19, respectively.
2. Chennai Super Kings Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
This is one of the most closely followed rivalries in the entire IPL. The main reason for this popularity is the massive fan base of both teams. The important factor that comes into consideration is the personal following of the players who have been in both of these teams over the years, such as MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. RCB has not yet managed to win any IPL season till now, but they lost to Chennai in the finals of 2011. This rivalry is also known to bring out the best performances of the players and many unexpected twists and turns.
3. Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs Mumbai Indians
This rivalry is also another example of a rivalry that has been perfected over the years. Even though there has not been a big knockout match played between these two teams, the number of star batters who play in this game is enough for fans to call this one of the best rivalries around. This rivalry is often linked with high-voltage performances, high-run chases, and fan-packed stadiums that cannot decide which side to support.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Mumbai Indians
This is one of those old rivalries for which no one knows the actual reason why it began. To this date, it is seen as a rivalry. Earlier, this rivalry consisted of some fan moments and big players such as Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir. Even the iconic venues such as Eden Gardens in Kolkata and the Wankhede stadium. There have not been that many important matches, such as a knockout match, but still, this rivalry has a massive fan base.
5. Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs Kolkata Knight Riders
This is one of the most aggressive rivalries in the IPL. This rivalry was established in the very first match of the IPL. From the very first match itself, this rivalry was set. This rivalry has seen many controversial moments from fights between players and also many spectacular moments, such as Andre Russell’s run chases and the century and bulk of runs scored by Virat Kohli. In this rivalry also, there has seldom been an important knockout match, but every match has always been full of energy and an aggressive atmosphere between these teams.
6. Chennai Super Kings Vs Kolkata Knight Riders
This rivalry has been adorned by incredible matches and moments throughout the history of the IPL. This began in 2012 in an interesting final match between KKR and CSK, where KKR chased down the massive target placed by CSK and won their first trophy. The Chennai Super Kings took back their revenge after nearly a decade in the year 2021 when they defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders in the finals. There have also been other interesting matches where high-voltage run chases were done by Chennai, and many times Kolkata uprooted the entire Chennai batting order.
7. Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
This is a relatively recent rivalry in the IPL, as it showed signs in 2015. In the year 2015, there was an aggressive short match of 8 overs where Virat Kohli single-handedly took RCB to a victory. It was further paved in 2016 when Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore competed in the finals of the IPL. Hyderabad took to the bat and scored 208 in the finals. Even though Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle gave a superb start, RCB lost the match. Virat Kohli and David Warner played a significant role in that season, with both being the No. 1 and No. 2 highest run-getters, respectively.
8. Rajasthan Royals Vs Punjab Kings
This is one of the underrated rivalries in the IPL. This is underrated, as there have not been any significant players involved, but the matches played between these teams have been very interesting and out of the box. The nail-biters were fought every time. Even the low scores were defended, and the high scores were chased. On occasion, there have been four runs defended in the final over.
9. Chennai Super Kings Vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
This is also a fairly new rivalry that was set in the comeback year of the Chennai Super Kings in 2018. In the year 2018, the Chennai Super Kings played against Sunrisers Hyderabad and won against them. Even though the Sunrisers managed to bring the games very close, they were unable to defeat the Chennai Super Kings. Chennai became the first team to defeat an opponent four times in a single season.
10. Gujarat Titans Vs Lucknow Super Giants
This has been the newest rivalry in the IPL. Both teams began their IPL careers in the same year, 2022. There has not been a single match that Lucknow has won against the Gujarat Titans. Gujarat has always uprooted the Lucknow batting line-up. The very first ball bowled against Lucknow and Gujarat in the history of the IPL resulted in the wicket of Lucknow captain KL Rahul.
