IPL: 5 lesser-known facts about Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super kings. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Since the inception of Indian Premier League in 2008, Chennai Super Kings have gone onto become one of the heavyweights in the competition and are arguably the most decorated team in the history of the  (IPL). MS Dhoni and Co. scripted history recently as they clinched their record-equalling fifth title after triumphing over Gujarat Titans in the summit clash in 2023 to get on level terms with Mumbai Indians.

This has, in turn, made them a solid brand which has garnered the yellow outfit massive love from fans across the country. Since their debut, the franchise has etched numerous records both on and off the field and on that note, we take a look at five facts about Chennai Super Kings which you may not be aware of.

5 Unknown facts about Chennai Super Kings-

5. First team to win all home matches in a single IPL season

Chennai Super Kings. (Photo Source: Twitter/ CSK)

Over the years, the ‘Yellow Brigade’ have maintained a stronghold at their home ground- the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. While many teams often find it challenging to assert their dominance at the Chepauk, MS Dhoni and Co. have a solid record at their home.

However, one of the impressive records held by the franchise came in the 2011 season of the IPL. Chennai managed to win each of their seven home games at Chepauk and became the first team to win all home matches in a single IPL season.

In addition to this, MS Dhoni’s Super Kings won the summit clash the same season, which was also played at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With this, CSK maintained a 100 percent track record at home in the 2011 campaign.

4. Most Purple Caps 

Dwayne Bravo. (Photo Source: Twitter/CSK)

Since the inception of the IPL in 2008, franchises have displayed exhilarating bowling performances which on many occasions has helped their side get ahead in a match. Notably, the bowlers with most numbers of wickets at the end of the tournament are awarded IPL Purple Cap. 

Impressively, the bowlers of the Super Kings have been successful in claiming the honour a record four times. While legendary CSK pacer Dwayne Bravo received the Purple Cap in 2013 and 2015, Mohit Sharma clinched it in 2014, while Imran Tahir won it in 2019. 

With this, Chennai became the only side in the history of the top-tier league to have won the Purple Cap four times. Deccan Chargers (now defunct), Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have got the honour two times each.

3. Recird social media interactions

CSK Logo. (Photo Source: Twitter)

It is no secret that the CSK franchise enjoys massive support from fans from every part of the nation. Interestingly, apart from the on-field success, Chennai has also attained impressive feat with regards to their social media.

As per a report by ‘Deportes and Finanzas’, Chennai Super Kings surpassed footballing giants such as Real Madrid and Barcelona, among others, in terms of audience interaction on Instagram in April 2023. With 276M interactions on the social media platform, CSK eclipsed Real Madrid’s 259M interactions and Barcelona’s 162M.

The yellow outfit stands in the second place, only behind their fierce rivals Royal Challengers Bangalore, who attained a record 285M interactions in April during the IPL season. On Twitter, with 997M interactions, CSK surpassed English heavyweight club Manchester United, who marked 961M in April.

2. Only team with 10 consecutive Playoffs qualifications

Chennai Super Kings 2013. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Coming back to their domination on the field, Chennai are the only franchise in the history of the cash-rich league to have played 10 consecutive Playoffs. Excluding the 2016 and 2017 season during which they served their ban, CSK made it to every single IPL playoffs from 2008 to 2019, a record no other franchise has been able to match. 

In the 10 consecutive seasons when they made it to the playoffs, their worst campaign was in 2012 wherein they stood fourth in the standings. However, they eventually ended up as the runners-up in the same season, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders in the finals.

It is worth mentioning that MS Dhoni’s CSK have not qualified in the playoffs in mere two occasions (2020, 2022) of the 16 editions played thus far. The yellow outfit also became the first team to do the domestic double in 2010, when they clinched the IPL title and the Champions League T20 (CLT20).

1. Best win percentage in IPL history 

CSK vs GT. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Since the inception of the top-tier league, as many as 15 franchises have been a part of the competition at some stage of a season. Chennai Super Kings are the franchise with the best win percentage in the history of the IPL.

With 131 victories in 226 fixtures from 2008-2023, CSK have a marvellous win percentage of 57.96, the highest by any side in the league. However, in terms of the number of matches won, Mumbai Indians are ahead with 138 wins in 248 outings.

Legendary skipper MS Dhoni, who clinched his fifth title as a captain/player in the IPL, also has the best win percentage by skipper. In 226 matches, both for Chennai and Rising Pune Supergiant/s (now defunct), the 41-year-old has 133 wins, a percentage of 58.84, the best for any captain who has led over 100 matches.