IPL 2020: Chennai Super Kings fans are the craziest amongst all of the eight franchises. Known as the Yellow army, they are known for their energy and loyalty towards CSK. The claim to the testament is when the CSK fans travelled to Pune in 2018 when matches shifted out of Chennai due to water shortage crisis. However, it will not be possible this year as fans will not be allowed in the stadiums due to pandemic. So, InsideSport brings you 5 matches which only a true fan will remember. Let’s take a ride down memory lane.
1) CSK vs KXIP, 2009: Lions’ spin barrage on Kings
Known for its bouncy pitch, Kingsmead is not Chepauk. But when it is Dhoni’s team, even a pace favouring pitch turns into spin-friendly pitch. CSK had scored 116 for 9. Packed with left-handers, KXIP Punjab had one foot on the winning side. So Super Kings to successfully defend the total, they handed the ball to rookie R Ashwin who teamed up with the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan.
The Sri Lanka great started making the Kings dance with his off-breaks and doosras, while Ashwin relentlessly attacked the stumps and took the prized wicket of Kumar Sangakkara. From 31 for 1, the Punjab-side collapsed to 92 for 8 at the end of the match. It was the lowest total successfully defended in the history of the IPL.
2) CSK vs Victoria, 2010: CSK find silver lining even in the loss
Chennai lost in the Super Over, however, given the situation in which they were, it was a big achievement. Victoria chasing the total of 163 were, at one point, cruising at 104 for 2. Then came Muralitharan who once again showed why he is regarded as one of the greatest spinners of all times. In the 12th over, he dismissed Mathew Wade and Andrew McDonald off successive balls and brought the IPL team back in the game.
But then Mr.Cricket David Hussey took charge of the chase, and it came down to 24 needed off 18 balls, when from nowhere, Raina chipped two wickets in the 18th over and then another two in the 20th.
Eventually, the Big Bash team needed one run off the last ball. Bryce McGain wildly slogged and missed an off-break. Dhoni being Dhoni, took advantage of the mix-up between the Victoria batsmen and chucked the ball towards Raina who completed the run-out.
In the Super Over, Hussey then cracked Ashwin open with three sixes. CSK banked its hope on Murali Vijay and Raina who fell short with a weak chase.
3) CSK vs KKR, 2013: Meet R Ashwin the opener
If there is one thing which standout about CSK is that they do not tinker with their line-up much. So, when they were given a target of 120 by Kolkata Knight Riders, fans expected Murali Vijay to open alongside Mike Hussey. Instead, a tall man with Ashwin written on the back walked out. Although he managed to score 11 of 13 balls, the match provided a rare instance of MS Dhoni’s men going against the grain. Hussey’s 40 runs and Ravindra Jadeja’s quick 36 sealed the victory for the team.
4) CSK vs Delhi Daredevils, 2015: Saved by 6-feet
Chepauk was used to experiencing Albie Morkel’s blitzkrieg of sixes. However, in 2015, he was in DD — now Delhi Capitals — colours and gave the three-times champions with a 55-ball 73 in a chase of 151. Even as wickets kept falling at the other end, Morkel dug deep and took it to 19 needed off the last over bowled by Dwayne Bravo. Morkel edged the first ball past the keeper for a boundary, and mis-hit the next to long-on for a single. The Windies bowler had Imran Tahir holing out the next ball, but Morkel walloped the fourth over midwicket for six. It was followed by two-runs on the fifth ball. Delhi needed six runs with one ball in hand. And it happened. Bravo missed his length and Morkel punished him by sending the ball towards the long-off rope. However, the ball bounced and it was a four. Delhi lost the match by six-feet.
5) CSK Vs SRH, 2013: Dhoni ‘Maar Raha Hai’
Dhoni ‘Maar Raha Hai’ is a famous dialogue from the Thala’s biography with the same name. But in Ranchi, he actually showed why this dialogue aptly described his batting prowess. It was the Champions League T20 group match, he launched Thisara Perera for five sixes in an over, including one similar of the six over long-on that won India its second world cup in 2011. In all, Captain Cool hit eight sixes and a four in his 63 off 19 balls innings. Motivated by his captain, Raina also dazzled with the bat and hit 84 off 57 balls. Darren Sammy tried to match them in a chase of 203 with his 50 off 25 balls, but Bravo and Mohit Sharma antics helped CSK win by 12-runs.
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