IPL 2018: 10 most memorable matches featuring Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings(CSK) need no introduction when it comes to the IPL. The franchise from Chennai has the largest fanbase in the IPL. Many prominent players have played for the banner.

The likes of Matthew Hayden, Muttiah Muralitharan, Michael Hussey, Stephen Fleming and Makhaya Ntini have all represented the franchise between 2008 and 2015. Dhoni's men have made it to the knockouts in every season, thereby reaching the finals on six occasions.

By winning back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 they became the first ever team to do so. Due to the alleged involvement of their owners in the spot-fixing and betting case during the 2013 IPL, they were suspended for two seasons, in 2016 and 2017.

CSK will be making their much awaited comeback to the league in 2018, for the eleventh edition of the IPL. Having displayed an exceptional brand of cricket over the years, they have provided their fans much to celebrate.

Let us now look at some memorable matches played by the CSK in IPL over the years.

2008 IPL: vs Kings XI Punjab at Mohali

This was the second ever match in the history of IPL and CSK’s first. Both teams boasted a number of high-profile players. CSK batted first and posted a total of 240-5, thanks to Michael Hussey’s heroics who scored an unbeaten 116 off just 54 balls.

Chasing a massive 241 under the lights was never going to be easy for the Punjab franchise. James Hopes and Kumar Sangakkara anchored Kings XI's chase, with each scoring half-centuries. Despite giving a tough fight, Punjab fell short by 33 runs.

It was a high-scoring and an entertaining game. This victory provided a much-needed momentum for the CSK going into the tournament.

April 19, 2008

Scores: CSK 240-5 (20 overs) beat Kings XI Punjab 207-4 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Michael Hussey (CSK)

2010 IPL: vs Kings XI Punjab at Dharamsala

Kings XI Punjab were out of the knockout race and were playing to restore some pride. Whereas, CSK were aiming for a spot in the semi-finals. Kings XI appeared good right from the start, with Shaun Marsh scoring an unbeaten 88 off just 57 balls.

Irfan Pathan kept the scoreboard ticking with his cameo, which propelled them to a total of 192-3. CSK made a destructive start to their chase. Subramaniam Badrinath and Suresh Raina played sensibly under pressure, but it was MS Dhoni’s knock of 54*(29) which made the target achievable.

Irfan Pathan’s over proved costly for Kings XI, as theCSK scored 195-4 with two balls to spare. The celebration of MS Dhoni after scoring the winning shot made the headlines and will be remembered by the fans forever.

18 April, 2010

Scores: Kings XI Punjab 192-3 (20 overs) lost to CSK 195-4 (19.4 overs)

Player of the match: MS Dhoni (CSK)

IPL 2010: vs Rajasthan Royals at Chennai

This was a high scoring match and one of the best in the IPL history. CSK batted first on which looked for a belter of a pitch. Murali Vijay anchored Chennai’s innings with a scintillating century, 127(56). He took the hapless Rajasthan bowlers all over the park.

CSK All-rounder Albie Morkel's quick-fire 62(34) took the CSK's total to 246-5, the then record for the highest team total in the IPL. Rajasthan’s chase was anchored by Naman Ojha’s wonderful 94*(55).

Doug Bollinger, who was making his IPL debut, took a spectacular catch on the boundary line to dismiss Yusuf Pathan. Ojha was well supported by Shane Watson who scored 60(25).But in the end, Rajasthan fell short of the target by 23 runs, finishing at 223-5.

This match will forever be remembered for Vijay’s heroics, Bollinger’s sensational catch and of course, Rajasthan’s determined chase.

3 April, 2010

Scores: CSK 246-5 (20 overs) beat Rajasthan Royals 223-5 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Murali Vijay (CSK)

Mumbai Indians vs CSK: 2012 IPL, Mumbai

CSK's top order made a steady contribution with the openers adding 47 runs for the first wicket. Suresh Raina combined with Dwayne Bravo and scored 62 for the third wicket, before Dhoni and Bravo put together 44 in under four overs.

Lasith Malinga took two wickets in the final over and prevented the CSK from scoring 180. CSK completed their innings at 173/8 in 20 overs. Mumbai lost James Franklin early in their chase, only to be rescued by Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma who anchored their chase. Both were at their best with Sachin scoring 74 off 44 balls and Rohit an elegant 60 off 46. When Tendulkar got dismissed, the match had its own twist.

Mumbai lost five wickets in the next three overs and needed 16 off the final over bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus. Dwayne Smith, playing his first match of the season scored three boundaries off the final three deliveries and sealed the match for Mumbai. It was one of the most-thrilling last ball finish in that season.

May 6, 2012

Scores: CSK 173-8 (20 overs) lost to Mumbai Indians 174-8 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Dwayne Smith (MI)

IPL 2012: vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Kolkata

KKR made a desirable start, with the partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Brendon McCullum yielding them 99 runs. Both went on to register their half-centuries.

Other KKR batsmen failed to score big though, as KKR finished their innings at 158-6. The primary challenge for the CSK the was to overcome the pressure of playing at the colossal Eden Gardens. But that did not deter the CSK openers who established a partnership of 97 and provided a solid start to their chase.

Mike Hussey scored 56(39) while Murali Vijay made36(25) but their middle order failed to score big. With five needed off the last ball, Dwayne Bravo, who was on-strike, scored an unbelievable six off Rajat Bhatia to secure it for the CSK. They finished at 160-5 in 20 overs.

May 14, 2012

Scores: KKR 158-6 (20 overs) lost to CSK 160-5 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Michael Hussey (CSK)

2008 IPL Finals: vs Rajasthan Royals, Navi Mumbai

CSK reached the finals of the inaugural season where they encountered Shane Warne-led the Rajasthan Royals. Royals were consistent throughout the season.Opener Parthiv Patel and Suresh Raina contributed substantially to the CSK's total as other batsmen failed on the Night of the finale. CSK ended their innings at 163/5.

Yusuf Pathan who returned with the figures of 3-22 in four overs for Rajasthan, also made a priceless contribution with the bat. He scored a memorable 56 off 39 balls and took them close to their target.

The final could not have had a more fitting climax. With one needed of the final ball, Sohail Tanveer scored a single and helped Rajasthan win the first ever IPL title. He was declared the Man of the Match for his all-round performance. A last ball finish in a final is something unforgettable.

June 1, 2008

Scores: CSK 163-5 (20 Overs) lost to RR 164-7 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Yusuf Pathan (RR)

2012 IPL Finals: vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai

It was the third successive final for the CSK whose fans were anticipating a hattrick of titles. CSK's top order was just brilliant. Murali Vijay and Mike Hussey added 87 runs for the first wicket. Then, it was all about the southpaw Suresh Raina who scored a quick-fire 73 off just 38 balls. CSK completed their innings at 190/3 in 20 overs.

It was daunting task for the KKR to chase down a massive target, espcially after losing skipper Gautam Gambhir in the very first over. The Manvinder Bisla and Jacques Kallis partnership yielded them a valuable 136 runs for the second wicket.

Kallis stood almost till the end and made sure the target is well within their reach. Manoj Tiwary scored a boundary and completed the proceedings, as KKR won their first ever title. CSK lost a golden opportunity to claim a hattrick of titles.

May 27, 2012

Scores: CSK 190-3 (20 overs) lost to KKR 192-5 (19.4 overs)

Player of the match: Manvinder Bisla (KKR)

IPL 2012: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chennai

Albie MorkelRCB's top order batsmen played first-rate with Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle providing them an opening partnership of 53. Mayank made 45(26), while Gayle scored a brilliant 68(35).

Virat Kohli's half-century took the total to 205-8. CSK’s chase was anchored by Francois du Plessis's 71(46) and Dhoni's classy 41(24). However, Albie Morkel turned the match in Chennai’s favour in the nineteenth over off Virat Kohli. The South African scored two fours and three sixes in that over which yielded 28 runs.

There was plenty of drama in the last over bowled by Vinay Kumar. Two runs were needed off the final delivery. Ravindra Jadeja, the million-dollar man scored a boundary and secured the winning runs for the CSK to send the Chepauk crowd into frenzy.

April 12, 2012

Scores: RCB 205-8 (20 overs) lost to CSK 208-5 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Faf du Plessis (CSK

2010 IPL Final: vs Mumbai Indians at Navi Mumbai

It was a match worthy of a final. Suresh Raina scored an unbeaten 57 off 35 deliveries against the attack consisting of Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. Raina's sensible knock made sure the CSK posted a respectable total of 168-5. Sachin Tendulkar, who was at his very best throughout the tournament, made a crucial 48(45).

In the end, Mumbai Indians fell short of 22 runs by finishing at 146-9 in 20 overs. CSK won their first ever IPL title by defeating the Mumbai based franchise. Sachin received the Orange Cap for his contributions with the bat in season three. This match was a thriller, eventually going in favour of the CSK.

April 25, 2010

Scores: CSK 168-5 (20 overs) beat Mumbai Indians 146-9 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Suresh Raina (CSK)

2011 IPL final: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai

Local boy Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey combined well to put up a score of 159 for the first wicket. Vijay scored 95(52) missing out on a century as the CSK completed their innings at 205-5. The RCB chase was derailed by a MS Dhoni tactic of giving Ravichandran Ashwin the first over, who removed Chris Gayle for naught. This wicket provided a much-needed breakthrough for the CSK.

RCB never looked good enough after that as their batsman got out cheaply, except for Saurabh Tiwary who scored 42*(34). In the end, RCB managed a paltry 147-8 in 20 overs in reply to CSK’s total, falling short by 58 runs. It was CSK’s second successive IPL title. They became the first ever team to do so.

May 28, 2011

Scores: CSK 205-5 (20 overs) beat RCB 147-8 (20 overs)

Player of the match: Murali Vijay