Why is CSK Considered the Most Favourite IPL Team?

 Image Credit: Inside Sport

As we are in the IPL mania, we have to talk about the team which has made IPL very successful and popular over the years. Yes! It is the boys in "yellow" from Chennai. Chennai Super Kings is one of the triumphant IPL teams. Winning 3 IPL trophies in 12 years and qualifying for the playoffs for 11 seasons on the trot.

CSK is the only team that has qualified for these many playoffs. The fame, love, and success this team has was not achieved overnight. Let's analyze why a large population loves them. 

Thala at it's Best 

Our Thala, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MSD) is one of the best captains for India, he is also extremely successful for Chennai Super Kings. He has the most number of wins in the IPL. He has led this team from the beginning and is one of the greatest finishers of the game. He has scored the most runs in the 20th over of the IPL.

MSD also holds the maximum number of wicketkeeper dismissals. Next to Thala is our beloved Chinna Thala Suresh Raina. He is the 2nd most run-scorer in the Tournament after Virat Kohli. He was the 1st batsman to score 5000 runs in the IPL. Raina is the 1st Indian to score a hundred in all formats of the game. MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina play a vital role in CSK’s successful campaign.

The Lions Roar

Chennai super kings have bought many excellent players over the years, and have nurtured many budding cricketers into some of the best players the game has ever seen. Players like Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shradul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Murali Vijay, etc. Had some exceptional IPL seasons which helped them cement their position in the Indian team.

Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum, Muttiah Muralitharan, Doug Bollinger, Faf du Plessis, DJ Bravo, Albie Morkel are some of the overseas greats who have been a part of CSK’s successful campaign. 

The fans have some special feelings for all the lions, henceforth, this team is extremely popular and is loved by many. 

Comeback > Setback 

Chennai Super Kings was banned for two years due to the match-fixing scandal. They missed the 2016 and 17 IPL seasons. All the CSK players played for different teams during that time. Suresh Raina captained Gujarat Lions (GL) and MS Dhoni-led Rising Pune Super Giants (RPS).

The team led by Dhoni failed to reach the play-offs and had a poor season. He was removed as the captain and the team was led by Steve Smith the next season. RPS managed to reach the finals in 2017 but they lost to Mumbai Indians by 1 run. Raina's team headed to reach the playoffs in 2016 but in 2017 they had a bad run.

In 2018 auctions when the CSK management bought players who were not very young, many people criticized the franchise by calling the team "team daddy." But unike what the critics said they won the IPL cup and convinced everyone that they are back. In 2019 CSK lost in the finals to Mumbai Indians by 1 run.

2020 was a disastrous year for CSK. Many players had to opt-out of that season due to personal issues. 2020 was the 1st year when CSK failed to make it into the playoffs. But this year they have started strongly indicating that the kings will come back stronger from any situation.

"Whistle Podu" 

Keep calm and have faith in this team, no matter what happens, this team is going to entertain you. CSK according to their current form may win their 4th IPL trophy this season. Whistle Podu for the "yellow'"army.

Written By - Ananthakrishan CN

Edited By - Akash Verma