IPL 2019: Top 5 Highest Team totals by Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings are one of the most successful teams in IPL. The Dhoni-led side has always been a side to beat in the tournament. One of the biggest strength of the team over the years has been it's power-packed batting line-up.

The Super Kings team management has always banked on experienced batsmen to deliver the goods. In the initial years, Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey formed the backbone of CSK's batting, whereas the likes of Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith and Faf du Plessis gave blistering starts to CSK in the latter years.

CSK has also been extremely lucky to have a strong Indian batting contingent. MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Murli Vijay have scored big runs for the franchise over the years. Also, in Albie Morkel and Dwayne Bravo, CSK has had the best T20 finishers in the world at their disposal.

With so many batting superstars in the side, Chennai Super Kings were always bound to make big scores through the course of the IPL.

Here are Chennai Super Kings' top 5 totals in their glorious IPL history.

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#5 211/4 vs Delhi Daredevils, 2018

Dhoni scored 51 runs off just 22 balls

CSK were on a roll in IPL 2018. The champion side making a comeback in IPL after two years looked like a team on a mission.

In a group stage match that was played at Pune against Delhi Daredevils, CSK scored 211 runs batting first. The experienced Shane Watson gave CSK a rollicking start, scoring 78 runs in just 40 balls. Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni, who were in terrific form that season, finished the innings in style. Rayudu hit 41 while Dhoni remained unbeaten scoring 51 off just 22 balls.

The now-defunct Delhi Daredevils tried their level best to reach the target but failed to do so as they lost narrowly by 13 runs.

#4 222/5 vs Delhi Daredevils, 2012

Murali Vijay's century took CSK to the final

CSK's fourth highest IPL total came in the second qualifier of the playoffs of IPL 2012 while playing on their home turf against Delhi Daredevils. The Daredevils were the table toppers in that season and had a formidable bowling attack. However, CSK batsmen made light work of the bowlers.

Murali Vijay, who was not having the best of seasons that year until then, bludgeoned the ball right from the word go. The stylish right hander scored a scintillating century. He was ably supported by Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni, all of whom got out in their 20s. CSK got a finishing kick from Dwayne Bravo, who scored 33 runs in just 12 balls.

The target of 223 was too much even for a strong Daredevils batting line-up which consisted of some big stars in Virender Sehwag, David Warner, Mahela Jayawardene, Ross Taylor and Andre Russell. CSK won the match comprehensively by 86 runs.

#3 223/3 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2013

Raina and Hussey added 133 runs for the second wicket

Chennai Super Kings were in top form in IPL 2013. Most of the batsmen were in good nick and a huge score was just around the corner. At the fag end of the group stage, Chennai met Sunrisers Hyderabad at Hyderabad.

Sangakkara, Sunrisers' skipper, won the toss and elected to field first. After providing a strong start, Murali Vijay was dismissed in the 6th over for 29. The stage was perfectly set for Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey. The duo added 133 runs for the second wicket and took CSK's total past 150.

Even though Hussey departed after scoring a well made 67, Raina continued batting aggressively. And even though the southpaw missed his century by a run, he helped the team reach a total of 223.

Sunrisers Hyderabad could never get going in their chase and ended up scoring 146 runs in their 20 overs.

#2 240/5 vs Kings XI Punjab, 2008

Mike Hussey scored a brilliant century

Chennai Super Kings announced themselves as the batting powerhouse of the IPL in their inaugural match in 2008. Only in the second match of IPL history, CSK scored a mammoth 240 runs.

MS Dhoni elected to bat after winning the toss and his batsmen responded brilliantly. Mr. Cricket, Michael Hussey, scored CSK's first ever IPL ton in that match, while Matthew Hayden, Suresh Raina and Subramaniam Badrinath chipped in with useful contributions. CSK finally ended up at 240 for 5 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.

Facing a daunting target of 241, KXIP got off to a good start. They had crossed the 100-run mark at the end of 10 overs. But unfortunately, they couldn't maintain the momentum and eventually fell short by 33 runs. Michael Hussey was named the man-of-the-match for his stunning knock of 116 runs.

#1 246/5 vs Rajasthan Royals, 2010

Vijay celebrates his century

Chennai Super Kings' biggest team total came against Rajasthan Royals at Chennai in 2010. CSK won the toss and elected to bat first. CSK openers Murali Vijay and Matthew Hayden got them off to a flyer, scoring runs at more than 10 runs per over in the power play.

Unfortunately, Hayden got out in the sixth over, but that did not deter Vijay from smashing the ball all around the park. Vijay smashed 127 runs, which included 8 fours and 11 sixes, in just 56 balls. A quickfire 50 from Albie Morkel in the death overs helped CSK to reach 246.

Rajasthan Royals batsmen tried their level best to get close to the target but unfortunately it was out of their reach. The Royals managed to make 223 runs and lost the match by 23 runs.

CSK's 246 is the third highest total in IPL history till date.