Irfan Pathan talked about two of the most successful Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), both having won the IPL title five times each.

Chennai Super Kings won the IPL title in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023, while Mumbai Indians won the trophy in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020.

Irfan Pathan shared his views while choosing the ‘greatest team in IPL history’ and stated MI edges out CSK, reasoning that MI's 'contribution to Indian cricket' has been larger than CSK's, with several outstanding players who have represented the country.

This can be ascribed to MI's scouting department and the difference in their team strategy from CSK. While MI has frequently focused on a mix of prime-age players and unknown stars scouted in domestic cricket, CSK has leaned on established and proven performers till 2026.

“CSK started winning the IPL title from 2010 onwards. They won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 and were the first team to do so. But when the Mumbai Indians started winning in 2013, they kept winning every alternate year. Then they won the IPL trophy back-to-back in 2019 and 2020,” Pathan stated on JioStar.

“What I like about Mumbai is their contribution to Indian cricket. The number of match winners they have produced for the Indian team is absolutely tremendous. How do you achieve that? First, you make your franchise big. Second, you deliver results with the team you have. Even now, the Mumbai Indians had a great squad last season that could have easily won the trophy, but they couldn’t for different reasons,” he added.

While CSK will claim to have developed Ravichandran Ashwin, Murali Vijay, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, MI will claim to have found Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma for India.

“CSK doesn't have four Indian captains; Mumbai Indians do. In that respect, assembling a team and contributing to a bigger cause, I think the Mumbai Indians are the greatest IPL team. I know CSK will always say they are also the greatest, having won five trophies too. There is no doubt. There will always be a debate, and it is a fair debate. But I think the Mumbai Indians take the edge because they have given so many wonderful cricketers and young talents to Indian cricket," Pathan concluded.