IPL 2019: How have CSK Fared At The Playoffs

MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings recently reached the playoffs yet another time in IPL 2019. CSK has played 9 seasons of IPL so far and they have qualified for the playoffs in as many times.

CSK is considered to be the most successful team in the history of Indian Premier League. While there are some teams struggling to qualify for the playoffs, CSK has reached the finals of the IPL 7 times. The franchise was suspended to participate in the tournament for two years that is in 2016 and 2018. But then also, CSK has been the most consistent team in the league. They have won 3 IPL titles till date, tying with Mumbai Indians.

CSK has dominated almost every team in the playoffs. Let’s take a look at CSK at the playoffs in the IPL and how they have performed against each team in the playoffs.

Kings XI Punjab

Chennai has an equal head-to-head record against KXIP in the playoffs. The two have won one match each against each other in the IPL playoffs.CSK reached the last four for the first time in the first season of the tournament in 2008. They defeated KXIP by 9 wickets in the semifinals.

KXIP took revenge for their last defeat in the semifinals of IPL 2008. They Knocked out CSK from the 2014 season, defeating them in the qualifier 2 to reach the finals of the event for the first time.

Rajasthan Royals

The two franchises met only once in the IPL playoffs. In the finals of the 2008 season, RR defeated CSK to win the first edition of IPL.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

CSK and RCB have met each other 3 times in the Indian Premier League playoffs. CSK leads their head-to-head 2-1. RCB defeated CSK convincingly by 6 wickets in the semifinals of the 2009 season.

The two franchises met again in the knockout stages in 2011. CSK took revenge for their last defeat against RCB in the semifinals of the event in 2009. They defeated RCB in the qualifier 1 to reach the finals. RCB also reached the finals, winning the qualifier 2. While CSK repeated their performance against the Bangalore franchise to win the second consecutive title.

Deccan Chargers

CSK met the Deccan Chargers only once in IPL, with Chennai winning their only meeting. CSK reached the semifinals of the tournament in 2010 after struggling in the start. They won only two games in their first seven matches. But they won 5 of their last 6 matches and reached the semifinals due to a superior net run rate. CSK defeated DC in a thrilling match to reach the finals of the IPL 2010. 

Mumbai Indians

MI and CSK have played the most against each other in the playoffs of IPL. The two met for the first time in the playoffs in the 2010 season. CSK won their first IPL title in the 3rd edition of the event. They defeated the tournament favourites Mumbai Indians to claim their first title. CSK again defeated MI in the eliminator of the 2012 season.  

The two teams met again in 2013 playoffs. It was the first time since six years that Chennai had topped the points table after the completion of the league stage. CSK defeated MI for the third consecutive time in the qualifier 1, reaching the finals in the sixth edition of the tournament. But it was MI who turned the tables reaching the finals and beating CSK to conquer their first title in IPL.

It was a rematch between the two teams in the 2014 playoffs, this time in the eliminator. CSK won their fourth match against Mumbai at the playoffs as they defeated MI to reach the qualifying stage.

The result was the opposite in the repeat match between the two in the eliminator of the IPL 2015. MI defeated Chennai to reach the qualifying stage of the tournament.

In the IPL 2019, CSK again reached the playoffs. CSK finished second in the IPL 2019. They lost to MI in the qualifier 1 of the IPL 2019. CSK is yet to play the qualifier 2 of the IPL 2019 against DC.

Delhi Capitals

The two have met only one till now, with CSK winning the match. After defeating MI in the eliminator, CSK won a comfortable match against the then Delhi Daredevils (Now, Delhi Capitals) to reach the finals for the third consecutive year in IPL 2012.

In the 2019 season, CSK is yet to meet the Delhi Capitals again in the qualifier 2. It will be interesting to see whether DC can make it to finals of the IPL 2019 for the first time since the beginning of the event in 2008.

Kolkata Knight Riders

The Chennai franchise was aiming for their third consecutive title at the IPL 2012. But it was KKR who chased down a huge target of 191 with two balls to spare and won the title.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

The 2018 year was the comeback season for CSK after being suspended for two years in 2016 and 2017. The franchise was as strong as before as they reached the playoffs stage, finishing second after the completion of league stages. They defeated SRH back-to-back in the qualifier 1 and in the finals to win the title in their comeback season.