IPL 2018: The rivalry is back!
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| Picture Credits: The Indian Express |
That day of
the year is here. It’s the opening ceremony of the IPL, and the opening match of
the 2 month season. It all starts here, and what better to start with 2 teams
which have a rivalry of their own. Mumbai Indians (MI), the best team in IPL
history, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the best team in IPL at some point. 10
years have gone by into the rivalry, or you might want to say 8 years, as CSK
didn’t play in the last 2 seasons of the IPL. Let’s relive the rivalry and talk
more about today’s game.
It is not
like those football classic matches or el classico or derby matches, it is a
rivalry more because of the fans of each clubs. The fans have made this rivalry
and it is a treat to watch and one of the most loved matches of the IPL. CSK, one
of the successful teams in IPL, started off brilliantly being the finalist in
2008 and winning their first title in 2010 beating MI in the finals. 2010 was a
dream year for the Mumbai Indians and when the play-offs started, everyone was
almost sure that Mumbai Indians will lift the trophy. However, MS Dhoni’s men
came out stronger in the final against that of Tendulkar’s and CSK won their
first IPL title. CSK was unstoppable at that time, and became the most successful
IPL team
The MI fans
were gutted after a defeat in the finals, after such dominating performance
until the final. That’s were that rage against CSK was built in the minds of the
MI fans, and that’s the beginning of this rivalry, which I’m sure is never
going to die in the future. CSK continued their awesome run in the IPL winning
their 2nd IPL title right in the next season. 2 consecutive titles
meant CSK was way above other teams in the IPL. Their fans enjoyed the glory
CSK was going through at that stage. Leaving aside the 2012 season of the IPL,
let’s come to the 2013.
The first
match in the 2013 season was played on the 6th of April. MI scored a
below par 148 in their 20 overs. Believe me or not, it was enough as they axed
CSK by 9 runs. Keiron Pollard scored a half century for the MI and MS Dhoni
scored one too but in a losing cause. MI once again beat the Super Kings from Chennai
in their 2nd clash of the season, bowling them out for a paltry 79
and winning the match by 60 runs. The MI fans started to believe that the
revenge is on cards but remember CSK? They were the best IPL team at that time.
After finishing the league with same number of points, meant MI were up against
CSK for the 3rd time in the season. CSK didn’t allow to let the 2
defeats earlier in the season get to their minds as they posted a healthy 192/1
in their 20 overs. The chase was too much to ask for the MI as they fell short
by 48 runs. CSK reached yet another final, while the MI went to play the
Qualifier 2 in an attempt to reach the finals again. After winning the Qualifier
2 against Rajasthan Royals, the finals was once again between MI and CSK. The
MI fans wanted revenge of 2010 and the CSK fans wanted one more trophy to become
the undisputed champion of the IPL. The Gods answered the prayers of the MI
fans, as they beat CSK to win their first and the maiden IPL trophy. The
players, the coach and he fans were overwhelmed with the victory and the win
coming against CSK made it even more special for them. The revenge was taken,
however, the rivalry was intact. MI’s next aim was to ace CSK in the quest to
become the most successful IPL team. On the other hand, the CSK fans felt they
had an equal competitor and this just led to much needed enhancement in the
rivalry. There was one more competition going on at that time, the Champions
League T20 and the MI doubled their victory winning the Champions League T20
for the second time.
2014 season
wasn’t the best for both the teams, except for 190 run chase in 14.3 overs by
MI and Raina’s 87(25) in a quest to qualify the finals. However, CSK had
something to talk about as they won their 2nd Champions League T20
title in the year 2014 which turned out to be last season of the Champions
League T20.
Coming to
the 2015 season, CSK finished the league stage at the top while MI were not far
away standing 2nd in the league. The league matches between them
tied at 1-1 and they faced in yet another play-off match, the qualifier 1,
where the winner goes to the final and the loser goes to play the qualifier 2.
The MI won the match by 25 runs, thanks to Simmons half century and reached the
finals of the IPL. Both the teams fans were praying that CSK to reach the
finals and have one more final between them to settle the deal. And that’s just
what the IPL gave them, one more final between MI and CSK. CSK won the toss and
favoured the MI asking them to bat first. MI responded with a huge 202/5 in 20
overs. A score of crossing 200 that too in an IPL final is hard to beat. The
CSK succumbed and fell to 161/8 in their 20 overs meaning the MI won their 2nd
title in IPL equalling that of the CSK.
With 2 CLT20’s and 2 IPL titles in
their bags for both sides, CSK no longer was the only force in the IPL. MI’s
peaking at the latter part in the decade of the IPL was a treat to watch for
their fans and as far as the CSK fans were concerned, it was like as if terror
struck on them as the team owner Gurunath Meiyappan was caught guilty of
betting. CSK was given a 2 year ban from Court’s RM Lodha led panel. This was a
major setback for CSK, and their 2 year ouster meant a 2 seasons ban- 2016 and
2017.
With 2
years of no CSK, the MI had a chance to ace them behind the title count and
that’s what they did. Winning 1 title in 2 years, MI increased their tally of
IPL titles to 3 and became the most successful IPL team. Forget only IPL, it
can arguably be called as the most successful cricket club in the World.
Now, CSK is
back this year and so is the rivalry, the first match of IPL 2018 and the season of IPL begins with a bang- MI vs. CSK.
The fans are elated and so are the players. It’s good to see CSK back, let’s
hope for the best and may the best team win today
RCB is going to win this time
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