Three enthralling Chennai Super Kings moments in the history of IPL

Returning to the Indian Premier League after a two-year hiatus, the Chennai Super Kings provided their fans much to rejoice.

This comeback will be cherished for years to come by the fans of the Yellow Army. Captained by the charismatic MS Dhoni, the Super Kings defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the much-anticipated final of the eleventh edition, at the iconic Wankhede stadium.

This is Chennai's third IPL title and thereby they equalled the Mumbai Indians' record for the most number of titles. Let us now relive the magical moments of the Chennai Super Kings in the cash-rich tournament.

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#3 Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, Navi Mumbai - 2010 IPL final

The 2010 IPL winners- CSK

It was the Chennai Super Kings' second IPL final appearance. Batting first, they posted a challenging total of 168-5 in 20 overs, thanks to "Mr. IPL" Suresh Raina, who scored 57*(35) against an attack comprising of the fiery Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. His crucial knock included three fours and three sixes at a strike-rate of 162.86.

Sachin Tendulkar who was excellent throughout the season, and in this match, he scored a solid 48 (45) during the Mumbai Indians' chase. After Sachin's dismissal, Kieron Pollard took the initiative to take Mumbai closer to the total, only to be dismissed in the 19th over. Eventually, the Mumbai Indians fell short of the target by 22 runs, finishing at 146-9 in 20 overs.

The Chennai Super Kings thereby won their first ever IPL title by defeating the Men in Blue. Sachin Tendulkar received the Orange Cap in the season.

Scores: Chennai Super Kings 168-5 (20 overs) beat Mumbai Indians 146-9 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Suresh Raina (CSK)

#2 Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai - 2011 IPL final

The 2011 IPL winners- CSK

The final of the fourth edition of the IPL (2011) was played at the 'Fortress Chepauk' in front of the roaring Chennai fans. The MA Chidambaram stadium was painted Yellow by the fans of the Yellow Army and it was a 'Sea of Yellow' all the way. Local hero Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey combined well to put up a humongous 159-run opening partnership after Chennai elected to bat first on winning the toss.

Vijay amassed a brilliant 95 (52) missing out on a much deserved century narrowly. His knock guided MS Dhoni's men to 205-5 in 20 overs. The Royal Challengers Bangalore, who topped the league standings, were off to the worst possible start, losing their talisman Chris Gayle to Ravichandran Ashwin in the very first over for a duck.

The Royal Challengers never looked good enough during their chase as most of their batsman got out cheaply, except Saurabh Tiwary, who scored a solid 42*(34).

Eventually, RCB managed a paltry 147-8 in 20 overs in reply to CSK’s huge total of 205, thus falling short by 58 runs. It was the Chennai Super Kings' second IPL title and they became the first ever team to successfully defend the crown.

Scores: Chennai Super Kings 205-5 (20 overs) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 147-8 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Murali Vijay (CSK)

#1 Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai - 2018 IPL final

The 2018 IPL winners- CSK

The Chennai Super Kings returned to the 2018 IPL after a two-year hiatus due to the involvement of their owners in match-fixing. The Men in Yellow announced their comeback in style by reaching a record seventh IPL final in nine appearances.

In the summit clash, they encountered the table-toppers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by Kane Williamson, at the Wankhede, on May 27. Batting first, the Orange Army posted 178-6 in 20 overs, thanks to Yusuf Pathan 45*(25) and Kane Williamson 47(36). Chasing 179 for their third IPL title, the Chennai Super Kings got off to the worst possible start, losing their in-form batsman, Faf du Plessis, who scored a match-winning knock against the same opposition in the Qualifier-1 at the same venue.

But the duo of Suresh Raina (32 off 24) and Shane Watson (117* off 57) combined well to put up a 117-run partnership for the second wicket to ensure Chennai's chase. Watson's scintillating century included 11 fours and 8 towering sixes.

Eventually, Chennai chased down the target of 179 in 18.3 overs, with eight wickets in hand. This was Chennai's third IPL title, thereby equaling the Mumbai Indians' record for most number of titles.

May 27, 2018

Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 overs) lost to Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 overs)

Man of the match: Shane Watson (CSK)