No yellow streak in CSK

Incorrigibly patriotic that we Indians are, everyone in this cricket-crazy nation is bound to stand with the Indian Premier League team of their city, state or region, leaving only the second-favourite slot open.

Chennai Super Kings is sure to occupy that on most cricket fans’ list of teams they support. Even Shah Rukh Khan’s suave charm and Virat Kohli’s endearing passion fade before the fatal attraction of the bright yellow.

Simply put, a Dehlite is more likely to back CSK in a Men in Yellow versus Royal Challengers Bangalore match.

While long-standing captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays a significant role in extending the CSK fan base beyond the regional boundary, the team itself has earned the adulation it commands by consistently doing well in the world’s most-popular cricket league.

Who wouldn’t want to be associated with a team that boasts of a record 5 titles, 10 finals and 12 playoff appearances in 14 seasons? The extensive achievement is yet limited. Only because the franchise was banned for two of the tournament’s 16-season run, owing to betting charges against its de-facto owner N Srinivasan.

That management is crucial for the success of any endeavour, every businessperson worth his salt knows. This key aspect of CSK is entrusted to a shrewd mind. There is a system in place. The template is adhered to, which has brought success over years.

Extraordinary players, those beyond their prime, are provided stability, motivating them to excel again. Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Watson, Albie Morkel, Dwayne Bravo, Suresh Raina have all proved that a club call up can be as competitive and gratifying as playing in the country colours. And, that age after all is just a number.

 So what if an ardent RCB fan refers to her second-favourite team as one of senior citizens. They are delivering, and that’s what matters.

IPL’s first centurion and present chief coach of Kolkata Knight Riders Brendon McCullum believes CSK “gives selection loyalty and works on the team they have”, besides sticking to “a very good blueprint on how to achieve things”. Part of the system is obviously a robust domestic circuit. Local lads have excelled for CSK in the IPL. Suresh Raina and Murali Vijay are perfect cases in point.

Even those who did not get picked by their home team have made a mark in the tournament, which CSK knows best. Playing for Gujarat Titans, Sai Sudarshan of Chennai nearly had the last laugh with a 47-ball 96, before the Ravindra Jadeja wonder of two boundaries off the last two deliveries of an absorbing tournament won them the cup.

When you hand over the reins of this solid system to arguably the best cricketing brain in the business, MS Dhoni, the results are bound to be sweet, and so they have been. For the record, CSK has lifted the coveted IPL trophy in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023.

The very aura of the born leader projects a sense of invincibility that binds the franchise together into the very successful sports team the CSK has gone on to become. To let a teammate in the twilight of his career receive the cup, speaks volumes of his leadership qualities. More so when the e man himself is “uncertain” of lasting another edition!