CSK marched into their record 9th IPL final in the ongoing 2021 season. CSK is the only team to reach nine IPL finals, and it had to be the MSD led Chennai Super Kings. They also were the only team to qualify for their 11th playoffs. CSK made an amazing comeback after the 2020 season after they were kicked out of the tournament in the group stage for the first time in the history of the tournament. Chennai Super Kings have the best win percentage of 60.98% in IPL over the years, and there are many reasons for the consistency of this amazing franchise. Let’s look at the various reasons for the consistency of CSK in IPL and their absolute classic performances over the years.
Consistent CSK: Over the years
A playoff in IPL is incomplete without the mighty CSK in it. CSK has undoubtedly been one of the best teams in the tournament, with three IPL titles to its name. Only in one season out of 12 were they not able to qualify, which is quite impressive, especially in such a competitive tournament like the IPL. CSK is a dominant team in this tournament because of various reasons, such as a mighty batting unit, lethal bowling, and outstanding all-rounders. CSK has always shown faith in its players. Coach Fleming and captain MSD have provided players with ample opportunities that have led to their success. Just like the other successful team MI, CSK has never believed in changes to their team, and year after year, they have maintained a core group of players in the tournament who have won them the title three times, and is one of the main reasons for their consistency in the IPL.
MSD: The driver behind the wheel of success
The former Indian captain and current CSK leader MSD is the most successful leader in the IPL in terms of win percentage. MSD is the only captain to lead a single team in all the seasons in the tournament. It is an exceptional feat as it is not easy to lead an IPL team and to be consistent at the same time for a long period. He has captained the yellow army in 212 matches and has won 129 at an astonishing win percentage of 61.37. MSD has also been a core member of this humongous batting line-up. We all know that MSD is one of the best finishers in the world, and his stats support that claim. MSD has scored 4172 runs at an average of 40.9, which is incredible for a lower-order batter. With the bat, he has a strike rate of 137.50 and has almost always won each game for CSK. Dhoni’s ability to craft match-winning strategies with the resources he has at his disposal has undoubtedly been their ace weapon.
Suresh Raina: Mr IPL
When it comes to CSK and consistency, only one name comes to mind, and that is Mr. IPL Suresh Raina. Raina is named Mr. IPL because of his consistent performances for CSK over the years. Batting at no.3, Raina has handled the batting unit for CSK for years. He has scored 4687 runs in 171 innings and is currently the fourth-highest run-scorer in the history of IPL. Raina has an average of 32.32 and has scored at a rate of 136.88. He also has 33 fifties and also a magnificent century to his name. From 2009 till 2019, Raina was the only batsman to score 300 runs in each season of the IPL. He missed the 2020 season, and maybe that was the reason for CSK not qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in the history of the league. In addition to Raina, other batsmen like Hussey, Hayden, Faf, etc., have supported Raina throughout his CSK career, and together they have formed a formidable batting unit that has won many matches for CSK. Raina is the highest scorer for CSK and is one of the main reasons for CSK’s dominance in the league.
Conclusion
Along with his mind-bowling tactics and excellent skills, Dhoni has been lucky to find players who have the capability to win matches single-handedly. CSK has formed a core group that involved great opening pairs, a solid batting unit, unbelievable all-rounders, and a lethal bowling unit. Coach Fleming and captain Dhoni have been fortunate with resources, and their urge to stay consistent and make CSK a brand has reaped them with success over the years. With yet another final, we fancy CSK to win their fourth title in the ongoing season of IPL 2021.