On October 15, 2021, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium bore witness to a historic evening as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), often affectionately dubbed the ‘Dad’s Army’ due to their experienced squad, lifted their fourth Indian Premier League (IPL) title.
This memorable victory came after a commanding 27-run triumph over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final of the 2021 season. Under the astute leadership of MS Dhoni, then 40 years old, CSK delivered a performance that epitomized their season-long dominance. The win marked a remarkable turnaround after a challenging 2020 season where the franchise missed the playoffs for the first time.
CSK Wins 4th IPL Title
Match Details
The final, a Day/Night Twenty20 encounter, saw KKR captain Eoin Morgan, then 35 years old, win the toss and elect to field. Chennai Super Kings posted a formidable total of 192/3 in their allotted 20 overs, powered by a stellar batting display from their top order.
Chennai Super Kings Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faf du Plessis | 86 | 59 | 7 | 3 | 145.76 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 32 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 118.51 |
| Robin Uthappa | 31 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 206.66 |
| Moeen Ali | 37* | 20 | 2 | 3 | 185.00 |
Faf du Plessis, then 37 years old, was the star for CSK, scoring a magnificent 86 runs off 59 balls and was deservedly named Player of the Match. Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, aged 24 at the time, contributed a steady 32 runs and finished the tournament as the Orange Cap winner, accumulating 635 runs throughout IPL 2021. Veteran Robin Uthappa, 36 years old, provided a quickfire 31 off 15 balls, while Moeen Ali, 34 years old, smashed an unbeaten 37 off just 20 deliveries to boost CSK’s total. Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowlers for KKR, taking 2 wickets for 26 runs from his four overs.
Kolkata Knight Riders Chase
Chasing a challenging target of 193, Kolkata Knight Riders got off to a blistering start with their openers, Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill, forging a 91-run partnership. Iyer scored 50 off 31 balls, and Gill added 51 off 40 balls. However, a dramatic collapse ensued, triggered by CSK’s bowlers, particularly Shardul Thakur. KKR lost 8 wickets for just 34 runs, ultimately faltering to 165/9 in their 20 overs.
Chennai Super Kings Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shardul Thakur | 4 | 38 | 3 | 9.50 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 4 | 29 | 2 | 7.25 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 4 | 37 | 2 | 9.25 |
| Dwayne Bravo | 4 | 29 | 1 | 7.25 |
Shardul Thakur spearheaded the bowling attack with 3 wickets for 38 runs, while Josh Hazlewood and Ravindra Jadeja (then 33 years old) each claimed two wickets, finishing with figures of 2/29 and 2/37 respectively. Dwayne Bravo, 38 years old, also chipped in with a crucial wicket, conceding only 29 runs.
The victory marked CSK’s fourth IPL title, further solidifying their legacy as one of the most successful franchises in the tournament’s history. The ‘Men in Yellow’ displayed tactical brilliance and individual heroics, making the 2021 final an unforgettable chapter in their storied journey.