Legendary Indian spinner and former captain Anil Kumble has weighed in on one of the most debated topics in franchise cricket — which team stands as the greatest in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to Kumble, it is almost impossible to separate two of the league’s most iconic franchises, as he placed them at the very top of the IPL’s all-time rankings. The former leg-spinner believes both teams have created their own legacy through different strategies while achieving remarkable success.
Anil Kumble reveals greatest teams in IPL history
Speaking on JioStar, Kumble went with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings and explained that comparing Mumbai and Chennai is extremely difficult because both franchises have dominated the league across different eras. With five titles each to their name, MI and CSK remain the most successful teams in IPL history, setting benchmarks for consistency and excellence.
Kumble noted that while fans often try to debate which team is superior, the reality is that their achievements place them on nearly equal footing. According to him, their dominance has been built on strong leadership, smart management, and well-defined team philosophies.
“MI is very close to, or almost the same as CSK when you talk about the greatest team in the IPL, because you can’t really distinguish one from the other,” Kumble said while discussing the two powerhouses of the league.
A legacy shaped by stability and experienced players
Kumble pointed out that Chennai have built their success primarily through consistency in team selection and reliance on experienced players. Over the years, the franchise has been known for backing proven performers rather than making frequent changes to the squad.
This approach has helped CSK maintain stability and continuity, allowing players to perform with clarity and confidence. Kumble noted that only recently has the franchise started bringing in more young players, but the core philosophy of trusting experienced campaigners has remained intact.
That strategy has worked remarkably well for the team, enabling them to remain competitive almost every season and build one of the strongest fan bases in the tournament.
“CSK has always been consistent with their selections. They go for people who have been there and done that. Only last year did we see a few youngsters come through,” said Kumble.
The blueprint of discovering and building future stars
While CSK focused on experience, Kumble highlighted that Mumbai Indians followed a slightly different path. The franchise gained a reputation for identifying raw talent and developing them into world-class players. Several prominent names in Indian cricket rose through MI’s scouting system, including Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, who all emerged from the franchise’s talent pipeline before becoming major international stars.
Kumble also referenced younger players who made a strong impact for MI in recent seasons, including Nehal Wadhera, who impressed with his performances before moving to a new franchise. According to Kumble, this ability to discover and nurture players has been a defining feature of Mumbai’s long-term success in the IPL.
“Whereas MI has gone slightly out and looked at players whom nobody had seen before, some who had done well at the domestic level. So people like Hardik, Krunal and Jasprit all came through those ranks. And then we saw what happened. Recently, you had the likes of Nehal Wadhera, who has now moved to PBKS, but performed really well for MI,” added Kumble.
