IPL 2019: 4 secrets to CSK’s success over the years

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are undoubtedly the most successful team in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). Not only have they successfully won the prestigious title on three occasions (2010, 2011 and 2018), they have also always made it through to the playoffs (runners-up on four occasions – 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015) in every single edition they have played.

There has been no other team in the league that has managed to replicate the CSK magic. Yes, Mumbai Indians have also won three IPL titles (2013, 2015 and 2017), but the consistency with which CSK have dominated the high-intensity tournament over the years has been nothing less than astonishing – almost unreal to be honest.

Since the very inception of IPL way back in 2008 CSK have always been a very strong team, and they have only got better with every passing edition. But in 2015 something completely unexpected shook not just the franchise but the entire nation - CSK’s key officials were found guilty of betting.

That prompted the darkest phase for CSK – they were banned for two years (2016-2017).

As expected, the CSK core that was built not just strategically but with a lot of emotions, was then completely scattered all over the other IPL franchises. Though the ban was only for two years, many IPL experts believed it to be an inevitable end of the CSK era.

But little did we know that the unfortunate ban would only make CSK stronger.

Two long years passed and the league's most loved team returned back to the action. Not only were they back, they were also successful in bringing together their core team with players like MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja and Faf du Plessis.

Surpassing all expectations, CSK went on to win their third IPL title. So what is really the success mantra for CSK? Here is a look at four reasons that make them as strong as they are.

#1 MS Dhoni - A true leader

MS Dhoni leading CSK

First things first - CSK are extremely fortunate to have someone like MS Dhoni lead the side. Without MSD, CSK would just have been just another franchise. Without an inch of a doubt, huge credit for CSK’s success goes to the Indian cricket legend.

The 37-year-old has excellent cricketing acumen, vast experience and a composed head on his shoulders - he is a true leader in every sense. Over the years, he has earned the respect of everyone through not just through his exceptional performances on the field but also in the way he has inspired, guided, supported and most importantly, shown immense faith in his players off the field.

It was his sheer leadership skills more than anything else that kept CSK moving forward in a positive spirit through thick and thin.

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#2 The CSK culture

CSK team spirit

Another big reason for CSK’s success has been the harmonious and stimulating culture within the team. Over the years, the team management and the support staff have played an instrumental role in creating and sustaining an inspiring dressing room environment that has allowed the players to stay in a positive frame of mind even when things aren’t going their way.

Every player is sincerely trusted for his cricketing talent and is given complete freedom to play to his potential without worrying too much about external factors. Not just that, but every individual's success is genuinely appreciated and celebrated like a festival, making the players feel valuable to the team.

And most importantly, when things go wrong, they don’t fall apart. Instead, they come even closer and support each other, eventually going back to winning ways.

Needless to say, the dressing room environment makes a massive impact on the field.

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#3 A complete TEAM effort

The CSK team

By looking at the stats, CSK might appear to be all about Suresh Raina for his consistent batting performances and MS Dhoni for his excellent leadership over the years. But that’s only half of the story.

You cannot become IPL champions on three occasions with just two players. A huge portion of the credit for CSK’s success goes the other team members playing around these two exceptional players.

CSK may not have world-renowned players like RCB or MI, but every player has proven his worth over and over again by performing almost every time it was needed. Whenever it mattered, someone just lifted their game up, played some exceptional cricket and won the match from almost nowhere.

Every CSK player, without any exception, has contributed towards CSK’s success – some more often than others, but everyone has!

That's another key aspect that has enabled CSK to always perform exceptionally well in highly competitive and closely contest IPL games.

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#4 The passionate CSK fans

Die-hard CSK fans

Over the years, CSK have won many hearts not just in Chennai but around the entire nation with their astonishing brand of cricket. Surprisingly, despite the fact that the team was banned in a disgraceful betting scandal, the love for the team continued to grow.

In fact, their absence from the league, instead of depleting their fan base, caused it to reach completely new heights.

Last year, when CSK eventually returned after a wait of two long years, they were welcomed with open arms. The entire city of Chennai went berserk - CSK fans were all over the roads celebrating the return of their favorite child back home.

Just to watch their favorite team in action, over 10,000 fans swamped M.A. Chidambaram Stadium for the training session. As expected, they had a fairytale start to the tournament by winning their first game back home.

But just when everything appeared to be falling in place, the Cauvery water dispute forced CSK to shift their home venue to Pune. That definitely miffed the fans, but the CSK management discovered an engaging way to thank them for their immense support by arranging something very unique – the ‘Whistle Podu Express’.

This was an exclusive train that took over 1,000 die-hard CSK fans from Chennai to Pune for a game against Rajasthan Royals – all expenses paid.

Over the years, CSK and the fans have developed a very strong emotional connection with each other. As much as the fans pray for CSK’s victory, CSK equally plays hard to win for the fans’ happiness. The love is mutual, and has been the biggest strength for CSK’s success.

A fan once rightly said, “You can take CSK out of Chennai but cannot take Chennai out of CSK."

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