Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have been the most successful franchises in the IPL so far, with trophies each to their name. Among the two, CSK has been the team that has reached the most number of finals. CSK has reached the final 10 times, while MI has done that six times.
MI’s conversion rate is second to none as the team has lost a final just once since the start of the IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have reached the final four times each. Just like MI, KKR has also lost a final only once. RCB won their first title in 2025 after being unsuccessful in their first attempt.
Let’s look at the current 10 teams and the number of times each has reached the IPL final.
Which Team Played The Most IPL Finals
| Team | Finals played | Won |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 10 | 5 (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) |
| Mumbai Indians | 6 | 5(2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020) |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 4 | 3 (2012, 2014, 2024) |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 4 | 1 (2025) |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 3 | 1 (2016) |
| Rajasthan Royals | 2 | 1 (2008) |
| Gujarat Titans | 2 | 1 (2022) |
| Punjab Kings | 2 | 1 (2009) |
| Delhi Capitals | 1 | – |
| Rising Pune Supergiant | 1 | – |
| Deccan Chargers | 1 | 1 (2009) |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 0 | – |
Let’s look at each team in detail.
1. Chennai Super Kings (10 IPL Finals)
CSK qualified for the final for the first time in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008, facing the Rajasthan Royals. The Royals won the final by three wickets after chasing down the target of 164 runs on the last delivery of the innings. They won the IPL for the first time in 2010 and became two-time champions in 2011.
In 2012, CSK lost the final against the Kolkata Knight Riders. In 2013, CSK lost the final against the Mumbai Indians. The MS Dhoni-led side qualified for the final once again in 2015, only to lose to MI. After a two-year ban, CSK returned to the IPL in 2018 and defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. Next season, they played one of the best finals against MI but lost by a mere one run. Since 2020, CSK has qualified for the final twice, in 2021 and 2023, and has won both times. They have failed to make it to the playoffs in the last two seasons.
2. Mumbai Indians (6 IPL Finals)
Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions, qualified for the final for the very first time during the 2010 IPL. They failed to chase down the target of 169 runs and lost the match by 22 runs. It was the only final MI lost in 18 IPL seasons.
They defeated CSK in 2013 and 2015. In 2017, the team took on the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant by one run. In 2019, MI achieved the same result, along with the same margin against CSK. In 2020, MI defeated the Delhi Capitals in the final and became the first team to win the IPL five times.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders (4 IPL Finals)
Kolkata Knight Riders have qualified for the playoffs eight times so far. They qualified for the final for the first time in 2012 and defeated the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings. In their second attempt in 2014, KKR won the final against the Punjab Kings (fka Kings XI Punjab). From 2016 to 2018, KKR qualified for the playoffs each year but failed to reach the final.
In 2021, after nine years, KKR faced CSK in an IPL final once again and lost. In 2024, KKR won the IPL trophy after a 10-year gap.
4. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (4 IPL Finals)
After CSK and MI, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made it to the most number of playoffs. They have qualified for the playoffs 10 times in 18 seasons. In 2009, RCB faced the now-defunct Deccan Chargers in the final and lost the same by six runs. In 2011, RCB took on CSK in the final and lost by 58 runs.
RCB had a dream run in 2016 and faced the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Much like their first two attempts, RCB failed to chase down a target and lost the final by eight runs. In 2025, RCB batted first against PBKS and scored 190 runs for the loss of nine wickets. PBKS finished with 184 runs for the loss of seven wickets, and RCB won the final by six runs, the same margin by which they lost their first final.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad (3 IPL Finals)
Sunrisers Hyderabad made their IPL debut in 2013. In 13 years of their existence, the team has qualified for the playoffs seven times. They made it to the final of the 2016 season and defeated RCB to become the sixth team to lift the IPL trophy.
In 2018, SRH once again qualified for the final but faced an eight-wicket loss against CSK. In 2024, SRH broke all batting records and crossed the 200-run mark eight times in 14 matches. However, in the final, they were bundled out for a mere 113 runs and lost against KKR.
6. Rajasthan Royals (2 IPL Finals)
The year 2008 was the time when the Rajasthan Royals achieved the feat of winning the IPL trophy after defeating CSK in the final on the last delivery of the innings. The Royals qualified for the playoffs in 2013, 2015, and 2018, but failed to make it to the final.
In 2022, the Royals faced debutant Gujarat Titans in the final and lost the same by seven wickets. GT chased down the target of 131 runs in 18.1 overs.
7. Gujarat Titans (2 IPL Finals)
Gujarat Titans made history in their very first attempt in 2022 as they finished top of the points table with 10 wins in 14 matches. They reached the final to face the Rajasthan Royals and won comfortably.
In 2023, the Titans made it to the final for the second time and took on CSK. However, luck favored CSK this time as the Titans ended up on the losing side. The Titans have qualified for the playoffs three times in their four years in the league.
8. Punjab Kings (2 IPL Finals)
Punjab Kings are one of the three teams that have yet to win the IPL. They qualified for the final for the first time in 2014 and lost the same against KKR despite posting 199 runs on the board. In their second attempt in 2025, PBKS failed to chase down a target of 191 runs and lost by six runs. Apart from these two seasons, PBKS has made it to the playoffs only once during the 2008 season.
9. Delhi Capitals (1 IPL Final)
Delhi Capitals have been a part of the IPL since the very first season. They have made it to the playoffs six times in 18 seasons. However, their first and only attempt to win the IPL trophy came during the 2020 season.
10. Rising Pune Supergiant (1 IPL Final)
Rising Pune Supergiant were a part of the IPL for two years during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. They finished in seventh place in 2016, but managed to qualify for the final in 2017. In the final, the Steven Smith-led side faced MI and lost the same by one run. This was the first time a team won an IPL final by the barest margin.
11. Deccan Chargers (1 IPL Final)
Deccan Chargers were one of the eight franchises that took part in the inaugural edition of the IPL. The team was terminated in 2012. They finished in last place in 2008 but made a smooth comeback next season. In 2009, the Chargers defeated RCB by six runs to lift the trophy.
12. Lucknow Super Giants (0 IPL Final)
Lucknow Super Giants made their IPL debut in 2022, along with the Gujarat Titans. However, they are yet to play an IPL final. The team qualified for the playoffs in their first two seasons and have finished in seventh place in the last two seasons.
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Conclusion: Chennai Super Kings Remain The Most Frequent IPL Finalists
Chennai Super Kings have been the most successful team in terms of playing the most number of IPL finals. They have qualified for the playoffs in 12 out of 16 seasons. The Mumbai Indians are second on the list with six IPL finals. Teams like Deccan Chargers and Rising Pune Supergiant qualified for the final once but are now not a part of the league.
FAQs
Chennai Super Kings have played the most IPL finals, reaching the final 10 times, more than any other franchise in the tournament’s history.
Mumbai Indians have the best conversion rate in IPL finals, having won five out of six finals, losing only once since the inception of the league.
Both Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have played four IPL finals each. KKR have won three titles, while RCB won their maiden title in 2025.
As of now, Lucknow Super Giants are the only active IPL team that have not reached an IPL final, despite qualifying for the playoffs in their initial seasons.
Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals have reached the IPL final but are yet to win the trophy. Punjab Kings have played two finals, while Delhi Capitals have played one.
