5 Reasons why CSK is a better team than MI

Chennai - Mumbai encounter is one of the most anticipated matches in the IPL
Chennai - Mumbai encounter is one of the most anticipated matches in the IPL

When Chennai Super Kings was forced to skip the 2016 & 2017 seasons of Indian Premier League, the fans of the franchise were heartbroken. If there was one other team that missed Chennai, then it had to be Mumbai Indians.

It was purely because of the on-field rivalry that these two had displayed in the league. Players of both the teams had an added pressure when they face each other. Fans also took pride when their team comes out triumphant in this fiercely contested battle. Such was their competition that this battle has now been termed as El Clasico of IPL by the fans.

Along with this battle, there is always this debate of which team being the best of the two. Although Mumbai has a clear lead with a 14-12 head to head record against Chennai, it is difficult to rank them at the top due to numerous reasons. Let's look at five reasons why CSK is a better team than MI.

#5 Consistent Performances

Both Sachin and Dhoni has been their respective franchises since 2008
Both Sachin and Dhoni has been their respective franchises since 2008

If there is a scale to measure the greatness of a team, then it must be the consistency of the side. With T20 being a highly volatile format in cricket, it is difficult to perform well at the highest level. But MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings have been doing it since the inception of the IPL.

In a league of International stars, the competitiveness between the teams is very high. To see CSK qualify for the playoffs every single season they have played is an achievement in itself. To add to that they have played IPL finals seven of the nine seasons they have been part of which is incredible as well.

On the other hand, Mumbai has qualified for the playoffs seven times. Although both Mumbai and Chennai have won three IPL and two Champions League T20 titles, Chennai's overall win percentage of 62.33 is much higher than Mumbai's 56.60.

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#4 Better Knockout record

Bravo gave a friendly send off to Pollard in 2012 Eliminator
Bravo gave a friendly send off to Pollard in 2012 Eliminator

Just continuing from the previous slide, it is extremely difficult to secure qualification for the playoffs in the IPL. With players changing sides and regular clashes with the International schedule, it is strenuous for the franchises to plan and win matches consistently.

Despite all this, to perform well in the playoffs is grueling and CSK stands far ahead in this aspect as well. Chennai's overall win-loss record in the knockouts stands at 12-7 while that of Mumbai is 8-6. As far as head to head record in the playoff stages is concerned, CSK does edge out MI with a 4-3 scoreline.

What is even more interesting is the fact that out of four times where Mumbai has qualified for the playoffs but failed to win the title, it is the Super Kings who have Knocked them out of the tournament thrice. It is a fine line that separates the two but Super Kings nudges ahead as they have done it more times than any other team.

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#3 Better record all around the world

The balance of CSK's squad helped them do well at all places
The balance of CSK's squad helped them do well at all places

As IPL is played in home and away basis, it is important to have a strong home ground to win more matches. Teams have also been constructed keeping the conditions in mind. Wankhede for Mumbai and Chepauk for Chennai are extremely tough to breach for other teams.

But due to some reasons, both teams have been deprived of their home advantages at various stages in the history of IPL. Chennai's performance hasn't dipped a bit in any of those seasons. 2018 was a classic example as their spin-heavy squad adopted to pacer-friendly Pune pitches to won five of the six games played over there.

On the contrary, Mumbai has suffered as they finished seventh in 2009 edition when the tournament was shifted to South Africa. They had a shocker of a season in 2014 as they lost all the matches in UAE. 2016 was a similar fate as they failed to qualify for the playoffs after the matches were shifted out due to drought issues.

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#2 Superior Auction Strategies

CSK has always played the right card in the auction table
CSK has always played the right card in the auction table

One of the unique things in the IPL is, it is not only played on the field but also off the field with player auctions playing a huge role. In the initial years of the league, both teams battled it out for the best player in the auction pool as it was seen in the case of Dhoni in 2008 and Kieron Pollard in 2010.

But Chennai adopted a strategy of retaining the core which paid rich dividends for them. Mumbai continued to pay big bucks for the newcomers as they bought the likes of Davy Jacobs (2011), Glenn Maxwell (2013), Corey Anderson (2014), Jos Buttler (2016). Although they are impact players, Mumbai spent some extra bucks in them as they failed to build a strong balance in their squad.

A primary example was in 2014 when Michael Hussey and Dwayne Smith joined the opposite camps. While Smith was CSK's top run scorer during his stay, Hussey couldn't replicate his CSK success for Mumbai.

Dinesh Karthik, Lendl Simmons, and Parthiv Patel who played key roles in MI's title win in 2013, 2015 and 2017 respectively, were all drafted/replacement players brought into the team to bring back the balance of the squad.

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#1 Comebacks in IPL

Dhoni hit two massive sixes in the final over to secure a memorable win in 2010
Dhoni hit two massive sixes in the final over to secure a memorable win in 2010

This might surprise many as Mumbai is seen as a team that makes great comebacks every season. But if one looks deep into the stats, it is Dhoni's men who have prevailed more from improbable situations. MI's swansong campaign in 2014 has always been rated highly for the way they bounced back to qualify after losing the first five matches.

CSK was in a similar position in 2010 as they had won only two of the first seven matches. They roared back strongly in the second half and in a must-win game in Dharamshala, Dhoni smashed a 29-ball 54 as CSK not only qualified but went onto win the tournament as well.

It was the same in 2011 as well as CSK won more matches in the latter half of the tournament to defend the title successfully. 2012 was even more difficult for Chennai as they had won only five of the first 12 matches. They still managed to qualify for the finals.

With Mumbai traditionally being slow starters, every year seem to be a comeback for them. Although Mumbai's effort is second to none, CSK's title triumphs from such situations have to be noticed.

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Edited by Zaid Khan