5 reasons why CSK are the most successful team in the IPL

7 seasons, twice champions, 3-time runners-up and semi-finalists, at the least, every single time. With 74 wins from 121 matches till now and a winning percentage of 62.08, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the most successful IPL team by some distance. The second best in the list is Mumbai Indians, winning 55.55% of their 117 matches;. Then, there are a string of teams close to each other, with Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab winning 54.50%, 52.29% and 50.89% of their matches respectively.Winning percentage of IPL teams (all seasons)TeamMatchesWonLostWinning %Chennai Super Kings121744562.08Decann Chargers75294638.66Delhi Daredevils111476243.18Kings XI Punjab112565450.89Kochi Tuskers Kerela146842.85Kolkata Knight Riders109565152.29Mumbai Indians117655255.55Pune Warriors46123326.66Rajasthan Royals111594954.50Royal Challengers Bangalore113545649.10Sunrisers Hyderabad37171947.29What, then, makes CSK the most successful team in the IPL? Here, we look at 5 reasons why they have been the standout team across seasons.

#1 Consistency in the squad

While there’s no single answer to this question, probably the most important factor behind their success is the consistency in the look of the team. When the IPL started back in 2008, the teams were to have the same squads with a few additions for 3 years i.e. till 2010. CSK had done really well in those 3 seasons, reaching the final in 2008 while winning it in 2010. When fresh auctions were held for the 2011 season where every team could retain a maximum of 4 players, CSK retained their core group of players – MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay and Albie Morkel.

By 2010, Ashwin, and Badrinath had become key players for them and they somehow managed to buy them back at the auctions too. Similarly, after 6 seasons, when another round of fresh auctions were held, CSK retained 5 of their core players – Dhoni, Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo, and in the auctions, they managed to get back Mike Hussey and Faf du Plessis – that’s 7 out of their starting XI!

Chennai are also the only team who have had only one captain for all 8 seasons till now. The only 3 matches when Dhoni did not captain the side was when he was out injured and Raina took over the reins seamlessly.

#2 Playing smart at the auctions

Ever since the first season, CSK have played it really smart in the auctions. They are not the most miserly of spenders in the IPL auctions like the Rajasthan Royals, but they have managed to somehow pick players who have delivered. Some examples are Doug Bollinger, Mohit Sharma, Dwayne Smith, Chris Morris, Mike Hussey, Shadab Jakati, Albie Morkel and Manpreet Gony.

You get an idea of the reason behind their success when you realise that most of these are just bit-part players who complement the galaxy of stars at their disposal.

CSK coach Stephen Fleming deserves credit in this respect as he has been one of the brains behind the auctions and managed to make smart buys who have delivered on a fairly consistent basis.

#3 Team culture

CSK boasts of a great team bonding and culture. The feeling of oneness is quite evident. The players seem to enjoy each other’s company and success. The entire squad, along with their coaching staff, looks like one big family.

Also, the Chennai fans are some of the most passionate ones. You will see countless fan videos, songs and memes shared on the various social media websites on every CSK match day. Videos like the #CSKKaapiChallenge are proof of the great camaraderie that exists within the CSK unit.

#4 Composure on the field

In this regard, it would have to be said that CSK have an advantage over the others as they are led by none other than MS Dhoni. Over the years, Dhoni has faced a lot of media scrutiny and captained in a number of high-profile matches where his reputation is on the line. Yet, seldom has anyone seen the man from Ranchi lose his cool and do anything out of character.

Irrespective of the difficulty his team might be confronted with, Dhoni always keeps a calm head and manages to wriggle his team out of pressure situations.

#5 Big players have led by example

CSK do have some big players, but just having these big names in their team is not enough. Importantly for them, their big players have consistently performed. Suresh Raina is the highest run-getter in the IPL and is the only player to have scored more than 400 runs in every single edition since its inception.

MS Dhoni is 6th on the list of highest run-getters and has, time and again, played blinders at the end of an innings to bail his team out of trouble. Other big-ticket players like Dwayne Bravo and Brendon McCullum have also stepped up to the plate whenever required.