IPL 2018: A look back at all of Chennai Super Kings' six IPL finals

Denzil Pinto 15:57 25/05/2018
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  • A seventh final: Chennai Super Kings. Image: BCCI

    After serving a two-year suspension, Chennai Super Kings made an instant impact on their return by reaching Sunday’s IPL final. Their victory in Tuesday’s Qualifier 1 play-off against Sunrisers Hyderabad meant the showpiece decider will be their seventh appearance in 11 editions.

    Here, we look at how MS Dhoni’s side fared in their previous six finals.

    2008: Lost to Rajasthan Royals by three wickets

    Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai

    After finishing third in the group stage, Chennai Super Kings overcame their semi-final to set-up a title decider with Rajasthan Royals. Suresh Raina’s 43 and Parthiv Patel’s 38 as well as a late blitz from MS Dhoni gave Chennai a total of 163-5. But Rajasthan showed why they finished as the league leaders as Yusuf Pathan took charge with a fine 56 to help his team become the first-ever IPL champions.

    2010: Beat Mumbai Indians by 22 runs

    Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai

    Two years after being beaten at the same venue, it was all smiles for the men in yellow as they stunned Mumbai Indians. The Mumbai side were strong favourites after finishing the league stage six points clear and eased past Royal Challengers Bangalore by 35 runs. But Chennai came into the match on the back of an impressive 38-win against Deccan Chargers. In the final, Suresh Raina struck an unbeaten 57 to set a target of 169 and while Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 48, Mumbai Indians fell short by 22 runs.

    2011: Beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 58 runs

    Venue: M.A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

    Not only did Chennai have a chance to make history by becoming the first side to win the IPL back to back, Dhoni’s side had the comfort of playing their third final on home conditions. And the defending champions made it count. In a repeat of the Qualifier 1 clash, Chennai inflicted more misery on RCB as Murali Vijay (95) and Mike Hussey’s 63 saw the hosts stack a mammoth total of 205-5. With Chris Gayle featuring for RCB, there was every possibility that total could have been reached but luckily Ravichandran Ashwin removed the West Indian for a duck, one of his three victims on the night.

    2012: Lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by five wickets

    Venue: M.A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

    Chennai didn’t have the best of league campaigns as they had wished for and only run-rate saw them qualify for the play-off stage. But having won the previous two finals, few would have written their chances off.

    Batting first, it was all going according to plan with Mike Hussey (54) and Suresh Raina (73) hitting half-centuries in their total of 190-5. And despite taking an early wicket in the first over, Manvinder Bisla (89) and Jacques Kallis (69) saw Kolkata home with two balls to spare.

    2013: Lost to Mumbai Indians by 23 runs

    Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

    It was ironic that the two in-form sides of the competition made their way to one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in India to settle the 2013 IPL. Both teams had the same number of points (22) with Chennai topping the league only on run-rate. In the final, Kieron Pollard’s unbeaten 60 set the platform for a target of 149 but Chennai top-order batsmen crumbled under the pressure with Dhoni’s 63no the only worthy knock.

    2015: Lost to Mumbai by 41 runs

    Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

    Same teams, same venue and same result as Chennai were beaten by 41 runs. Just like two years ago, the sides finished in the top two in the league. Although Chennai finished first, they were undone by Lendl Simmons’ 68 and Rohit Sharma’s 50 and despite Dwyne Smith’s 57, were unable to reach their 203 target.

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