There isn’t a single “best” IPL team, as popularity and success vary. However, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) are often considered the most successful teams having won the title five times each. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is often cited as having the largest fan base. Ultimately, the “best” team is subjective and depends on individual preference.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Success: CSK and MI have the most IPL titles (5 each).
- Fan Base: RCB is known for having a massive and dedicated fan following.
- Recent Form: In the 2025 season, Punjab Kings, RCB, and Gujarat Titans were among the top teams in the points table.
- Individual Achievements: Virat Kohli of RCB is the all-time leading run-scorer in the IPL.
- Overall Popularity: While success and fan base are important factors, many consider CSK to be the most popular team, due to their consistent performance and large fanbase.
IPL winners: Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians five-time champions each – full list
There have been eight different IPL champions since the T20 cricket tournament began in 2008. Rajasthan Royals were the inaugural winners. Get the complete list.
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By Anjishnu RoyUpdated on 03 June 2025 23:28 GMT+5:302 min read
The Indian Premier League is the premier domestic T20 competition in India and has been organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since 2008.
The IPL currently features 10 cricket teams and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions.
Having won the trophy on five occasions – 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023 – under MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings are the joint-most successful team in the competition alongside Mumbai Indians.
CSK have also finished runners-up on five different occasions. No team has made the final of the IPL on more occasions.
Mumbai Indians won the IPL in 2013, 2015, 2019, 2019 and 2020 whilst finishing runners-up once in 2010. Rohit Sharma led MI to all of their five titles, which makes him the joint-most successful captain in the IPL alongside Dhoni.
The inaugural edition of IPL was won by Rajasthan Royals in 2008. RR, led by Australian legend Shane Warne, defeated Chennai Super Kings in the final to take the crown.
Kolkata Knight Riders are the only team besides CSK and MI to win multiple IPL titles. Led by Gautam Gambhir, KKR won the IPL in 2012 and 2014 while Shreyas Iyer orchestrated their third title win in 2024. They also finished runners-up in 2021, losing to CSK.
Gujarat Titans entered the IPL in 2022 and won the title in their debut season before finishing as runners-up in 2023.
Under Aussie opener David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad won the IPL title in 2016, beating Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final. The now-defunct Deccan Chargers are the only other team to win the 2009 iteration of IPL played in South Africa.
It is pertinent to note that Sunrisers Hyderabad were introduced into the IPL fold in 2013 as a replacement for the Deccan Chargers
Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally ended their wait for an IPL trophy drought in 2025.
After losing in the last hurdle three times, RCB finally lifted the title after beating Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final.
Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals are the only active teams to have not won the trophy despite featuring in the IPL since the inaugural season in 2008.
IPL winners list
