IPL2024: Given that RCB reached the milestone, why have CSK still not played 250 IPL matches?

At Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday, April 25, 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad engaged in their 250th IPL encounter.

With a much-needed win against SRH, the Bengaluru team—who is now at the bottom of the table—kept their prospects of making the playoffs alive.

The positive thing about RCB is that they are still competitive, so if a few outcomes go their way, Virat Kohli and company may make it to the knockout rounds. However, Bengaluru, which played the 250th IPL match in history, had a historic day. Despite never having won an IPL championship, RCB has been a part of the IPL since its beginning and has been in three finals.

They were the second team in IPL history to play 250 games. The five-time IPL winners, Mumbai Indians, reached the 250-match milestone earlier this season and have played the most games in the competition with 255.

Not on the List is CSK!
The team with the most IPL playoff appearances throughout history is Chennai Super Kings. With 12 playoff berths and 10 final appearances, they are well-known for their consistency in the competition and their five championship victories. Surprisingly, however, CSK has only participated in 233 IPL games as of April 26, 2024.

Why has CSK not yet participated in 250 IPL matches?
Despite having an incredible record in the IPL, Chennai Super Kings have not yet played in their 250th game due of a two-season suspension.

CSK was banned from the competition for two years as a result of the IPL 2013 spot-fixing accusations and the suspected participation of their owner in it. With the Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings were eliminated from the Indian Premier League in 2016 and 2017. The Gujarat Lions and Rising Pune Supergiants, respectively, took their place.

For this reason, CSK has played less matches overall than other clubs, and they haven’t yet played their 250th IPL game.