Here, we will sharpen our sports quotient by taking a look at one iconic moment from sporting history. With the league phase action of IPL 2022 coming to a close today, here’s a look at one of the last league matches from 2010 which saw Chennai Super Kings qualify for the last four stage…
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the first of their four Indian Premier League (IPL) titles so far in 2010. But at one point in the tournament, it looked like they wouldn’t even make it to the knock-out stages of the event.
Having finished runners-up in the inaugural edition in 2008 and semi-finalists in 2009, CSK were in a spot of bother in the third season. In match 54, CSK’S last league stage game, they found themselves in a must-win situation to qualify to the last four.
Playing Kings XI Punjab (KXIP, now Punjab Kings) at the picturesque Dharamsala, CSK won the toss and elected to field first. An unbeaten 88 from Australian Shaun Marsh allowed KXIP to post a strong total of 192 for three in their 20 overs.
After losing both their openers, CSK were 27 for 2 after 4 overs. Suresh Raina’s 27-ball 46 and S Badrinath’s 36-ball 53 paved the way for captain MS Dhoni, who finished the game in style.
Dhoni hit a 29-ball 54 with five fours and two sixes as CSK reached 195 for 4 in 19.4 overs. The end of the match saw one of the few times Dhoni was visibly ecstatic on the playing field.
DID YOU KNOW?
The 2010 IPL was the last season to have semi-finals and finals. The IPL has had a play-off format since 2011, to give the teams finishing top two in the table an added chance to get to the final.
CSK defeated Deccan Chargers in the semi-final and Mumbai Indians in the final to lift their first IPL title in 2010.
Mumbai Indians’ Sachin Tendulkar, who was the top run scorer in the tournament with 618 runs, was also named the player of the series. Deccan Chargers Pragyan Ojha finished with the most wickets, 21.
Picture Credit : Google
