The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a fiercely contested league, with each team trying to pounce on one another. The ones that are consistent throughout the league stage get a chance to play in the playoffs and claim the IPL trophy.
We have seen teams put in an all-out effort to finish in the top 4 and qualify for the IPL Playoffs. A few teams have made a habit of qualifying for the playoffs season after season.
On that note, let’s look at the top 5 teams with the most IPL Playoff appearances.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad | 7
The Sunrisers Hyderabad have qualified for the IPL Playoffs in 6 seasons. SRH’s first knockout appearance came in their maiden season in 2013, where they lost in the Eliminator.
Later, they entered the knockout stages on the trot between 2016 and 2020, winning their maiden IPL title in 2016.
SRH Playoff Appearances: 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024
4. Kolkata Knight Riders | 8
The Kolkata Knight Riders have played in the IPL Playoffs in 7 editions. It took them 4 seasons to get the opportunity to feature in the knockouts in 2011.
KKR’s next 2 playoff qualifications resulted in the team lifting the IPL trophy in 2012 and 2014. Their other knockout appearances have come in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021.
KKR Playoff Appearances: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2024
3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 9
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru may not have won the silverware, but they have qualified for the IPL Playoffs 8 times. RCB made it to the knockouts for the first time in 2009, when they also played their first-ever final match.
Later, RCB followed it up with playoff appearances in the next 2 seasons, where they came close to winning the whole thing in 2011. Between 2015 and 2022, they booked their top 4 spots 5 times.
RCB Playoff Appearances: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
2. Mumbai Indians | 10
The Mumbai Indians have made it to the IPL Playoffs in 10 editions, emerging as IPL winners in 5 of them. They qualified for the first time in 2010 and continued the streak until 2015.
MI’s last 4 knockout appearances came between 2017 and 2023, where they clinched the trophy 3 times.
MI Playoff Appearances: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023
Chennai Super Kings | 12
The Chennai Super Kings hold the record for making the most IPL Playoff appearances. The 5-time champions have qualified for the knockout stages in 12 out of their 15 seasons. This proves CSK is the most consistent team in the IPL’s history.
CSK qualified for the playoffs on the bounce between the inaugural season (2008) and 2015. They claimed their first 2 trophies in 2011 and 2012.
After serving a 2-year ban, they made a rousing comeback in 2018 to enter the knockout stage, eventually winning the league. Their next 3 qualifications came in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
CSK Playoff Appearances: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023
