IPL 2024
Top 5 Memorable Matches of Chennai in Indian T20 League
Chennai has won four Indian T20 League titles, making them the second most successful side in the league.
In the history of the Indian T20 League, Chennai is the second most successful team in the history of the tournament. Since 2008, they have won four titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021). Even though the last three seasons have been a roller coaster ride (second-last finishes in 2020 and 2022 and title win in 2021), the team has done well. In the ongoing 16th season, they have played two, lost one, and won one.
Meanwhile, over the years, they have played quite a lot of memorable games. In the last 15 years, fans have experienced a lot of memorable games. Even though there are a lot of games, we have filtered out only five games from 15 seasons. So, without further ado, let’s discuss these five memorable games for Chennai in the Indian T20 League.
Five memorable games for Chennai in the Indian T20 League
1. Chennai vs Punjab (2008)
In the second game of the inaugural season, the Yellow elected to bat first. They lost three wickets for 62 runs. However, thanks to Michael Hussey’s hundred and cameos from Suresh Raina, and S Badrinath, the team reached 240/5. Even though Punjab retaliated, they were reduced by Chennai at 207/4, losing the game 33 runs.
2. Chennai vs Mumbai 2008
In the first-ever game between the two rivals, it turned out to be a nail-biter. Batting first, the MS Dhoni-led side amassed 208/5, thanks to half-centuries Matthew Hayden and Suresh Raina and a cameo from the skipper. In reply, the then Sachin Tendulkar-led side retaliated well despite no fifties from their batters. However, they lost the game by six runs.
3. Chennai vs Rajasthan (2010)
In the third season of the tournament, the Yellow Brigade played their reverse fixture at home against Rajasthan. Batting first, Murali Vijay’s maiden century helped the team reach 246/5 which is supposedly their highest total in the tournament. In reply, the 2008 winners tried well but were reduced to 223/5, losing by 23 runs.
4. Chennai vs Kolkata 2011
In the opening game of the fourth season, the then-defending champions Chennai locked horns with Kolkata. The home team, Chennai won the toss and elected to bat first. Thanks to Srikkanth Anirudha (64) and Albie Morkel (15*), the team reached 153/4. In reply, the then-Gautam Gambhir-led side fought well but lost the game by two runs despite a half-century from Jacques Kallis and a cameo from Manoj Tiwari.
5. Chennai vs Bangalore 2012
This game is remembered for Virat Kohli’s most expensive over in the league. Batting first, the Red Army amassed a competitive 205/8, thanks to the efforts from top-order such as Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, and Kohli. In reply, the Yellow Brigade was struggling at 163/4, needing 43 off the last two overs. Kohli bowled the second last over, conceding 28 runs in it. In the end, Chennai won by five wickets.