IPL Teams vs International Teams: Which international team resembles your favorite IPL team?

IPL Teams Compared to International Teams (Source: IPL T20 and Darrian Traynor-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Over the years Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a great rise and is one of the most popular events apart from the ICC tournaments. There are many similarities between IPL teams and international teams be it the way they approach the game or having the big names but unable to perform at the big stage. There is enough sample size played by IPL teams to analyze their attributes and pick up their international counterparts.

---

Here’s a comparison of the international equivalents for all ten IPL teams participating in this year’s competition.

1. Chennai Super Kings – Australia

Australia and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been the most consistent sides over the years. While Chennai Super Kings have won five titles and qualified for the playoff stages 12 times the most among teams whereas Australia have been dominating cricket in the last few years. They have been consistent throughout the bilateral series leading up to the main events.

Australia have dominated ICC events winning the World Cup six times (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023) and WT20 in 2021. They also won the World Test Championship in 2023 and Champions Trophy twice in 2006 and 2009 which takes their trophy count to 10 in global cricket events. They recently made it to the semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 and also have made it to the Final of the World Test Championship 2025.

Both Australia and Chennai Super Kings have shown domination and been able to remain consistent over a long period and coincidentally both share the same yellow jersey.

2. Mumbai Indians – India

Mumbai Indians (MI) have won five IPL titles and are one of the most decorated teams in the history of IPL. India are another dominant force in the international game and are very consistent in their performances. Mumbai Indians and India are two sides that are known to dominate oppositions, and their record speaks volumes of their prowess. MI and India even have a sensational record in making it to the knock-out games which makes them a formidable force.

India did not win a ICC World Cup since 1983 and the trophy drought was broken in 2007 when they won the T20 World Cup and followed it up by winning the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. Similarly, Mumbai Indians didn’t have any titles in the first five seasons. However, they clinched their maiden trophy in 2013 and won four more in the following seven seasons.

India and Mumbai Indians are competitive and always find a way to put up their best performance. Both these sides also are known for unearthing young talented players consistently and giving them the platform to shine on the big stage.

3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru – South Africa

Big names, strong side, big expectations, starting the tournament as favourites but falling short of the title. This has been the story of both Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and South Africa over the years, and it is a no-brainer that these two sides have had a daunting team on paper but were unable to get glory due to failure in the high-pressure matches.

The likes of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis, and Graeme Smith have guided South Africa to many triumphs in bilateral series, but they could not take the Proteas side to the trophy in major ICC events.

Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers are some of the greatest trios in the history of IPL. They have dominated a lot of games but have not been able to get the title. RCB lost the IPL Finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016, and despite having a great campaign they just have not been able to get their hands on the trophy.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders – West Indies

One of the biggest things Kolkata Knight Riders and West Indies have had in common is Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. These two players have been with KKR for a long period and won multiple titles in IPL and also helped West Indies secure titles. West Indies won the 2012 and 2016 WT20. Kolkata Knight Riders also won their first IPL title in 2012 and later went on to win in 2014 and 2024.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been known as a dynamic side in IPL, the same can be said with West Indies. Both these sides have been playing aggressive brand of cricket throughout the years and the Men in Purple and Gold can be compared to the Men in Maroon even when it comes to celebrations.

5. Rajasthan Royals – Pakistan

Rajasthan Royals (RR) won IPL 2008 when not many of them gave a chance. Similarly, Pakistan won the World T20 in 2009 despite not coming into the tournament as favourites. They won the Champions Trophy 2017 with a young side.

Since winning the title in 2008 Rajasthan Royals have never been able to get their hands on the trophy and have not been consistent throughout the years. Although they have qualified for the playoffs in the last four-five season they have not been able to win the big matches. Pakistan also made it to the 2021 Semi-Final and 2022 Final but could not get the title. It is safe to say both Rajasthan Royals and Pakistan have not been able to perform on a big stage.

6. Punjab Kings – Bangladesh

Both Punjab Kings and Bangladesh have not been able to win any titles. Punjab Kings have failed to make the playoffs in the last 10 seasons and similarly, Bangladesh has been getting knocked out in the initial rounds in ICC World Events.

Bangladesh has also been poor in bilateral series and has a very low win percentage. Similarly, Punjab Kings have struggled to win matches continuously. Both teams have shown some glimpses and sparks like Punjab Kings’ golden run in the 2014 IPL and Bangladesh had a good period in the 2017 period and 2019 WC where they picked up a few wins against big teams in ICC events.

7. Delhi Capitals – Sri Lanka

Delhi Capitals (DC) have qualified only six times for playoffs between IPL 2008 and 2023. Sri Lanka despite having a strong side till 2011 has failed in ICC events since 2011. They did not qualify for the Champions Trophy and are ranked very low in the ICC rankings. 

Sri Lanka does have a few titles to their name which Delhi Capitals lack but what makes them similar is their inconsistent performances. They quietly go about their business and do not enter any tournament as favourites. Both teams have not made enough knockout matches and also struggle in the group stages. 

8. Sunrisers Hyderabad – England

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been the most aggressive team in the last few years of the IPL. Similarly, England took the ultra-aggressive option post 2016 and went very hard with the bat. Both Sunrisers Hyderabad and England are known for breaking plenty of batting records. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad won the IPL title in 2016 while England won the 2019 World Cup and 2022 WT20. They have faltered at times and have struggled to maintain consistency when it comes to getting the results. But one thing is for sure England and Sunrisers Hyderabad can give a tough fight to any opposition and there is a sense of unpredictability in both teams. 

9. Gujarat Titans – New Zealand

Gujarat Titans (GT) finished top of the points table and won the IPL Title in their first attempt in 2022. They once again finished top of the table in the 2023 IPL and lost the Final. Similarly, New Zealand made it to the Final of the World Cup 2015 and 2019, and Semi Final of World Cup 2023. Final of Champions Trophy 2025, won the World Test Championship in 2021. 

Gujarat Titans and New Zealand have historically been the most bankable and underrated sides. New Zealand always flies under the radar and manages to do well in the ICC tournaments and Gujarat has done the same in the IPL. Both teams also enjoy good support from the neutral fans and make sure to maximize the potential of players despite not having big names. 

10. Lucknow Super Giants – Afghanistan

Lucknow Super Giants, made a strong impact in their debut season in 2022, reaching the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. They have not managed to get to the Final but have beaten plenty of big teams on the way in group stages. 

Afghanistan team is on the rise and has been able to beat big teams on their way as they showed in World 2023 where they beat Pakistan, and England and came close to Australia. They made it to the semi-finals of WT20 2024 and once again beat England in the Champions Trophy 2025.

While both these sides may not be championship-winning, Lucknow and Afghanistan punch above their weights and have been making rapid strides in their cricketing journey.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

 

To catch up on the most current news on all of your favorite thrilling cricket updates, visit BJSports to access our comprehensive Latest News, insightful analysis, and updates. connect with the action now to make sure you never miss out!