Chennai Super Kings facts for kids
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| Nickname(s) | CSK | |
|---|---|---|
| League | Indian Premier League | |
| Personnel | ||
| Captain | Ruturaj Gaikwad | |
| Coach | Stephen Fleming | |
| Owner | Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited | |
| Manager | Russell Radhakrishnan | |
| Team information | ||
| City | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Colours |  |
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| Founded | 24 January 2008 | |
| Home ground | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | |
| Capacity | 38,200 | |
| History | ||
| Indian Premier League wins | 5 (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) | |
| Champions League Twenty20 wins | 2 (2010, 2014) | |
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The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is a professional cricket team from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. They play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is a big Twenty20 cricket tournament. The team was created in 2008 and plays its home games at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The team is owned by Chennai Super Kings Cricket.
The Super Kings are one of the most successful teams in the IPL. They have won the IPL title five times, which is the same as the Mumbai Indians. They have also reached the IPL finals 10 times and made it to the playoff stages 12 times, more than any other team. Besides the IPL, they have also won the Champions League Twenty20 twice, in 2010 and 2014. The team's captain is Ruturaj Gaikwad, and their coach is Stephen Fleming.
In 2015, the Super Kings were suspended from the IPL for two years due to issues with their owners. But they came back strong in 2018 and won the title that season! In 2022, CSK became the first sports team in India to be valued at over $1 billion. This means they are a very valuable and popular team.
Contents
History of the Super Kings
How it all started (2008–2009)
In September 2007, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a new Twenty20 cricket league called the Indian Premier League (IPL). Chennai was chosen as one of the first eight teams in January 2008.
For the first IPL season in 2008, players were bought in an auction. MS Dhoni, who was the captain of the Indian national cricket team, was bought by the Super Kings for $1.5 million. He was the most expensive player that year! Other famous players like Suresh Raina, Matthew Hayden, and Muttiah Muralitharan also joined the team. Dhoni was named captain, and Kepler Wessels became the coach.
The Super Kings played their first IPL game on April 19, 2008, and won. They finished third in the league stage and made it to the first-ever IPL final. However, they lost to Rajasthan Royals in a very close match. Even though they lost, finishing as runners-up meant they qualified for the first Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) tournament. This tournament was later cancelled.
Before the 2009 season, Stephen Fleming became the new head coach. The team bought Andrew Flintoff for $1.55 million, making him one of the highest-paid players. The Super Kings finished second in the league stage but lost in the semi-finals. Matthew Hayden was the top run-scorer in the league that year, winning the "Orange Cap."
Winning big (2010–2012)
In 2010, the Super Kings had a tough start but improved a lot in the second half of the season. They won enough games to finish third and reach the semi-finals again. They beat the defending champions, Deccan Chargers, in the semi-final. Then, in the final, they defeated Mumbai Indians by 22 runs to win their first-ever IPL title!
This win also qualified them for the 2010 Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa. They played very well, winning three out of four group matches. In the semi-final, they beat another IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the final, they won against the Warriors from South Africa, becoming champions of the CLT20 too! Murali Vijay was the "Man of the Match" in the final, and Ravichandran Ashwin was named "Player of the Series."
For the 2011 IPL season, new rules allowed teams to keep only four players. The Super Kings kept Dhoni, Raina, Vijay, and Albie Morkel. They also bought back players like Michael Hussey and Ashwin. They finished second in the league stage and won the first qualifier to reach the final. In the final, they met Royal Challengers Bangalore again and won their second consecutive IPL title! Vijay was again the "Man of the Match." Later that year, in the Champions League, they didn't do as well.
Before the 2012 IPL season, the team bought Ravindra Jadeja for $2 million. They had a mixed season but managed to qualify for the playoffs. They beat Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils to reach their third consecutive IPL final. However, they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. In the Champions League that followed, they didn't make it past the group stage.
Strong performances and a break (2013–2017)
In 2013, the Super Kings got stronger in their bowling. They finished at the top of the league table for the first time, winning 11 out of 16 matches. They also won seven matches in a row, which was a record! They beat Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier to reach the final. But in the final, they lost to the same team. Michael Hussey was the top run-scorer (733 runs), and Dwayne Bravo took the most wickets (32). The Super Kings also played in the 2013 Champions League Twenty20 and reached the semi-finals.
In 2015, the Super Kings were suspended from the IPL for two years. This was due to issues with their owners. They did not play in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
The big comeback (2018–2020)
When the Super Kings returned to the IPL in 2018, fans were super excited! They kept Dhoni, Raina, and Jadeja, and bought back other key players like Bravo and Faf du Plessis. They also added new international players like Imran Tahir and Lungi Ngidi. Their first match back was a thrilling one-wicket win against Mumbai Indians. They finished second in the league stage and went on to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final, winning their third IPL title! They were the first team to beat the same opponent four times in one season.
In the 2019 IPL season, the Super Kings finished second again. They reached the final for a record eighth time but lost to Mumbai Indians by just one run. Imran Tahir took 26 wickets, winning the "Purple Cap" for the most wickets.
The 2020 season was different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament was moved to the UAE. Some players couldn't play, and the team had a tough season, finishing seventh. This was the first time they didn't make it to the playoffs.
More success and changes (2021–present)
In 2021, the Super Kings bought new players like Moeen Ali and traded for Robin Uthappa. They played well, winning five of their first seven matches before the season was paused due to the pandemic. When it restarted in the UAE, they finished second in the group stage. They beat Delhi Capitals to reach the finals for the ninth time. In the final, they defeated Kolkata Knight Riders to win their fourth IPL title!
Before the 2022 IPL season, Ravindra Jadeja became the new captain, replacing Dhoni. However, after a difficult start to the season, Jadeja gave the captaincy back to Dhoni. The team finished ninth and missed the playoffs for only the second time.
In 2023, the Super Kings bought Ben Stokes and Ajinkya Rahane. Bravo retired as a player but joined the team as a bowling coach. Despite some injuries to key players, the team finished second in the group stage. They won the first qualifier against the Gujarat Titans to reach their tenth IPL final. In a thrilling final, they beat the defending champions Gujarat Titans to win a record-equaling fifth title!
For the 2024 season, the Super Kings bought back Shardul Thakur and added new players like Daryl Mitchell. On March 21, 2024, Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. The team finished fifth in the group stage and just missed out on the playoffs.
Team Name and Colors
The name "Super Kings" was chosen to honor the ancient rulers of the Tamil kingdoms. The team's logo shows a roaring lion's head with a crown, and the team name is written below it. The main color of the team's jersey is yellow. The current jersey, introduced in 2021, has a cool camouflage pattern on the shoulders and a lion design in the background. The team's song is called "Whistle Podu," which means "Blow the whistle."
Home Stadiums
The Super Kings play most of their home matches at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This stadium is also known as "Chepauk" and is one of the oldest cricket stadiums in India. It can hold 38,000 people. Fans often call it "Fortress Chepauk" or "Lions' den" because it's where the Super Kings play their best.
In 2014, the Super Kings played some home matches in Ranchi because of a disagreement about using parts of the Chepauk stadium. In 2018, six of their home games were moved to Pune because of protests in Chennai, and the police couldn't guarantee safety for the matches.
Team Value
The Super Kings are known as one of the most valuable sports teams in India. In 2013, a report said they were worth $46 million. In January 2022, they became the first "unicorn" sports company in India, meaning their value reached over $1 billion! In 2022, they were the second most valuable IPL team, worth $1.15 billion.
Sponsors
The Super Kings have had many important sponsors over the years. Aircel, a telecom company, was their first shirt sponsor in 2008. This deal was renewed in 2011 and was the most expensive sponsorship deal in the IPL at that time. Later, Muthoot Group and then Myntra became the main shirt sponsors.
In 2022, TVS Eurogrip, a tire company, signed a big three-year deal to be the main shirt sponsor. Etihad Airways also became a major sponsor in 2024, with their brand shown on the back of the jersey. The team also has deals with other companies like India Cements, Gulf Oil, and Coca-Cola.
Reebok was the official kit supplier for the Super Kings from 2008 to 2014. After that, Spartan and then Indian brand Seven supplied their kits. The Chennai Super Kings also sell their own cricket gear, clothes, and other items.
Fan Support
The Super Kings have a huge and loyal fan base, often called the "Yellow Army." Their official fan club, called the "Whistle Podu Army," started in 2016. The team has the most followers among IPL teams on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, with over 33 million followers by March 2023.
Their home matches always have a lot of fans, and people even come to watch their practice sessions in Chennai. When their home games were moved to Pune in 2018, the team even arranged a special train to take fans from Chennai to Pune!
Team Rivalries
Chennai Super Kings vs. Mumbai Indians
The Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have a big rivalry. They have played each other 37 times in the IPL. Chennai has won 17 of those matches. Both teams are the most successful in the IPL, each having won five titles. They have met in the IPL final four times, with Mumbai winning three of those finals and Chennai winning one.
Chennai Super Kings vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore
The rivalry between the Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore is often called the "Southern derby" or "Kaveri derby." This name comes from the Kaveri River and a water dispute between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Super Kings beat the Royal Challengers in their only IPL final meeting in 2011.
Team Management
When the IPL started in 2008, the Chennai team was sold to India Cements for $91 million. N. Srinivasan, who was a top official at the BCCI, became the main owner through India Cements. Later, the Super Kings team was moved to a separate company called Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited.
The team makes money from TV broadcasting deals, ticket sales, stadium ads, and selling merchandise. Most of their money comes from broadcasting rights (about 60%), followed by sponsorship deals (about 20%), and ticket sales (10-15%).
Players
Current Squad
Chennai Super Kings in 2024
Team Captains
MS Dhoni led the team from 2008 to 2023. He is one of the most successful captains in the IPL, leading the Super Kings to ten finals and winning five of them. In 2022, Ravindra Jadeja became captain but gave the role back to Dhoni after a tough start. Ruturaj Gaikwad was appointed as the captain before the 2024 IPL season.
| Player | Nationality | From | To | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni |  India |
2008 | 2023 | 235 | 142 | 90 | 1 | 0 | 60.42 |
| Suresh Raina | India |
2010 | 2019 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | India |
2022 | 2022 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | India |
2024 | Present | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
Last updated: 5 May 2024; Source: ESPNcricinfo
Team Staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| CEO | Kasinath Viswanathan |
| Team manager | Russell Radhakrishnan |
| Head coach | Stephen Fleming |
| Batting coach | Michael Hussey |
| Bowling consultant | Eric Simons |
| Fielding coach | Rajiv Kumar |
| Physio | Tommy Simsek |
| Physical trainer | Greg King |
| Team doctor | Madhu Thottappillil |
Team Statistics
IPL Performance by Season
| Year | Matches | Won | Lost | NR | Group Stage | Final Result | Most Runs | Most Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 3/8 | Runners-up | Suresh Raina (421) | Albie Morkel (17) |
| 2009 | 15 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 2/8 | Semi-finalists | Matthew Hayden (572) | Muttiah Muralitharan (14) |
| 2010 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 3/8 | Champions | Suresh Raina (520) | Muttiah Muralitharan (15) |
| 2011 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 2/10 | Champions | Michael Hussey (492) | Ravichandran Ashwin (20) |
| 2012 | 19 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 4/9 | Runners-up | Suresh Raina (441) | Ben Hilfenhaus (14) |
| 2013 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 2/9 | Runners-up | Michael Hussey (733) | Dwayne Bravo (32) |
| 2014 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 3/8 | Playoffs | Dwayne Smith (566) | Mohit Sharma (23) |
| 2015 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 1/8 | Runners-up | Brendon McCullum (436) | Dwayne Bravo (26) |
| 2016 | Suspended | |||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||
| 2018 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 2/8 | Champions | Ambati Rayudu (602) | Shardul Thakur (16) |
| 2019 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 2/8 | Runners-up | MS Dhoni (416) | Imran Tahir (26) |
| 2020 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 7/8 | League stage | Faf du Plessis (449) | Sam Curran (13) |
| 2021 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 2/8 | Champions | Ruturaj Gaikwad (635) | Shardul Thakur (21) |
| 2022 | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 9/10 | League stage | Ruturaj Gaikwad (368) | Dwayne Bravo (16) |
| 2023 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 2/10 | Champions | Devon Conway (672) | Tushar Deshpande (21) |
| 2024 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 5/10 | League stage | Ruturaj Gaikwad (583) | Tushar Deshpande (17) |
| Total | 240 | 138 | 99 | 3 | 58.23% | (5 Titles) | ||
Source: IPLT20 website
Champions League Twenty20 Performance
| Year | Standing |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Tournament Cancelled |
| 2009 | Did not qualify |
| 2010 | Champions |
| 2011 | League stage |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | Semi-finalists |
| 2014 | Champions |
Source: ESPNcricinfo
Images for kids
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The official logo of the Chennai Super Kings.
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The yellow colors of the Chennai Super Kings.
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MS Dhoni, a legendary captain for CSK.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad, the current captain of CSK.
