Chennai Super Kings – Dominance in Yellow

The Chennai Super Kings also referred to as CSK, have unquestionably engraved their name in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL) by being one among most successful and stable franchises. 2008 was the year when CSK, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni their captain emerged as a dominant team on cricket field but also attracted hordes of fans known as “Yellow Army”. Here we explore this phenomenon in-depth to understand how they have become one of IPL’s more than just successful teams.

Journey so far

CSK’s path in the IPL is nothing short of spectacular, given by stable results and a talent for making it into playoffs. Let’s take a closer look at their season-wise performance:

Year	Position	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	No Result	Win Percentage
2008	Runners-up	16	9	7	0	0	56.25%
2009	Semi-finalist	14	8	5	0	1	61.54%
2010	Champions	16	9	7	0	0	56.25%
2011	Champions	16	11	5	0	0	68.75%
2012	Runners-up	19	10	8	0	1	52.63%
2013	Runners-up	18	12	6	0	0	66.67%
2014	3rd place	16	10	6	0	0	62.50%
2015	Suspended	–	–	–	–	–	–
2016	Suspended	–	–	–	–	–	–
2017	Did not play	–	–	–	–	–	–
2018	Champions	16	11	5	0	0	68.75%
2019	Runners-up	17	10	7	0	0	58.82%
2020	7th place	14	6	8	0	0	42.86%
2021	Champions	17	11	6	0	0	64.71%
2022	7th place	14	5	9	0	0	35.71%
2023	Champions	17	12	5	0	0	70.59%

Chennai Super Kings was established in 2008. The team is owned by India Cements. MS Dhoni was the captain of the team while Stephen Fleming was the coach of this squad. CS has won 5 IPL titles which is a joint highest with Mumbai Indians. They have also clinched the Champions League Twenty20 twice. CSK has appeared in the playoffs 12 times out of the 14 seasons it played which is more than any other team in IPL. CSK’s regular appearances in the playoffs shows that they can perform under pressure and remain competitive throughout the tournament.

Championships and Achievements: 3 IPL championships are the high points of CSK’s journey. Let’s delve into the key milestones that define their legacy:
– Back-to-Back Titles: 2010 and 2011 were the two years when CSK achieved a historic position by becoming the first team to win IPL titles successively. This was the peak of their dominance in the league.
– Triumphant Comeback: 2018 was a year of sensational comeback when CSK returned after two years suspension and managed to win the championship with MS Dhoni leading calmly.
– Consistent Finals Appearances: CSK found its way to the IPL finals seven out of ten seasons from 2010-2019, indicating unparallel consistency and outstanding performance during significant encounters.

Factors contributing to their victory:

MS Dhoni’s inspirational leadership, strategic team compositions and smart auction strategies have been central factors for the continued CSK success. Let’s have a look at these aspects that have shaped CSK’s legacy:

• Captain Cool- MS Dhoni- Mahendra Singh Dhoni, fondly called “Captain Cool,” has been the heart and backbone of CSK so far. Dhoni has been one such legendary figure in IPL history due to his calmness, tactical genius and the fact that he can take over a team through high- pressure situations.
• Notable Players in CSK’s Journey- CSK is an abode for cricketing legends and global superstars. Players like Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Shane Watson and Dwayne Bravo have played significant roles in the team’s victories coming through with both bat and ball.
• Loyal Fan Base- The Yellow Army- CSK’s success is reflected in its passionate and dedicated fans who are known as the “Yellow Army.” The yellow jerseys that fill up the stands of M.A Chidambaram Stadium reflect both confidence and euphoria on Team Yellow when they play matches at the home ground.
• Playing to their strength- Very early on in the league, they had recognized their strength- “Spin to Win”. Muttiah Muralitharan back in 2008 and Maheesh Theekshana in 2023, it has remained their strong point.
• Supportive Team Culture- Showing faith in players has worked out great for the success of the team. Be it giving a chance to an out of form player like Shane Watson in 2019, or Robin Uthappa in 2021 and Ajinkya Rahane in 2023. Also, in the dressing room, each player is treated equally, whether they played well on the field or not.
• Team XI- Another secret is that they have hardly ever changed the combination of their players during the season. They have stuck with the same set unless there are excruciating conditions.
• The Management- Since 2009, there is no change in the coach or the captain. Stephen Fleming has held the position of coaching the team and MS Dhoni has remained the captain (except for some 10 matches in 2022) throughout.
• Team Selection- CSK seldom opts for cricket superstars during auctions, with Dhoni and Stokes being potential exceptions. The majority, including Ashwin, Raina, and Jadeja, have honed their skills while representing CSK. The team appears to prioritize coachability and a seamless fit into the team culture over star power, recognizing that performance typically ensues. When they do choose experienced players, CSK values the maturity of character they bring to the table. This experience is seen as a valuable asset, allowing the team to navigate challenges with a composed approach, fully aware that success in T20 cricket often boils down to being slightly superior in various aspects.

There’s no sugarcoating it. Are there batting teams superior to CSK? Undoubtedly! Are there bowling teams better than CSK? Absolutely. In terms of fielding, they might be quite competent, but not overwhelmingly so. However, collectively, they manage to construct sequences of play that provide them with slight advantages during the match. It’s an inexplicable knack for cobbling together just enough on any given day.

Understanding how to secure victories holds more significance than expertise in batting, bowling, or fielding, simply because everyone can undergo training in these areas! As for what defines that winning habit of CSK, I can’t quite articulate it. There’s an uncanny quality about champions, wherein even when they aren’t performing at their peak, they possess the ability to secure a victory.