Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are one of the most successful teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the franchise has won five IPL titles and built a strong reputation for consistency. The team has featured in several finals and has enjoyed success under former captain MS Dhoni, who led CSK through most of its major achievements.
The franchise was one of the original eight teams when the IPL began in 2008. CSK won their first title in 2010 and defended it in 2011 before adding three more championships in 2018, 2021 and 2023. Their 2018 victory was especially memorable because they returned after a two-year suspension and won the trophy in their comeback season.
CSK play their home matches at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, popularly known as Chepauk. The franchise is owned by Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited. Ruturaj Gaikwad is the team’s captain, while former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan was appointed head coach in September 2026 after Stephen Fleming stepped down.
What Is Chennai Super Kings?
Chennai Super Kings are a professional T20 cricket franchise that competes in the IPL. The team represents Chennai and has developed a large fan base through its title wins, experienced players and long-standing connection with MS Dhoni.
CSK have won five IPL championships, matching Mumbai Indians for the joint-most titles among franchises in the league’s history. They have also won the Champions League Twenty20 twice, in 2010 and 2014.
The team is often associated with its experienced core and calm approach in important matches. Players such as Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo played major roles during different successful periods. More recently, Ruturaj Gaikwad has taken on the captaincy as the franchise looks to build its next successful team.
Chennai Super Kings IPL Winners List
CSK have won the IPL five times. Their championship seasons were 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023. They have also finished as runners-up on several occasions, including in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019.
| Year | Result |
| 2008 | Runners-up |
| 2009 | Semi-finalists |
| 2010 | Champions |
| 2011 | Champions |
| 2012 | Runners-up |
| 2013 | Runners-up |
| 2014 | Playoffs |
| 2015 | Runners-up |
| 2016 | Suspended |
| 2017 | Suspended |
| 2018 | Champions |
| 2019 | Runners-up |
| 2020 | League stage |
| 2021 | Champions |
| 2022 | League stage |
| 2023 | Champions |
| 2024 | League stage |
| 2025 | League stage |
| 2026 | League stage |
2010: CSK Win Their First IPL Title
Chennai Super Kings won their first IPL championship in 2010 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. They defeated Mumbai Indians in the final to claim the trophy after two seasons of building their team in the new competition.
The victory established CSK as a major force in the IPL. Suresh Raina was one of their key performers during the campaign, while the team combined experienced international players with Indian talent.
2011: CSK Defend Their Title
CSK became the first team to defend the IPL title when they won the championship again in 2011. They defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final and completed back-to-back title wins.
The team benefited from strong batting performances and a settled squad. Their success under Dhoni strengthened the franchise’s reputation for performing well in high-pressure matches.
2018: A Successful Comeback
Chennai returned to the IPL in 2018 after serving a two-year suspension. They immediately won the championship, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.
The campaign was particularly memorable because several experienced players delivered important performances. Shane Watson scored an unbeaten century in the final, helping CSK secure their third IPL title.
2021: CSK Win Their Fourth Title
CSK won their fourth IPL championship in 2021 after defeating Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. The team had missed the playoffs in 2020 but returned strongly the following season.
Ruturaj Gaikwad led the batting effort across the tournament, while Faf du Plessis also played a major role. Dhoni’s leadership helped CSK complete another successful campaign.
2023: A Fifth IPL Championship
Chennai Super Kings claimed their fifth IPL title in 2023 by defeating Gujarat Titans in a rain-affected final. The match went down to the final two balls, when Ravindra Jadeja struck a four and then a six to secure the victory.
The championship brought CSK level with Mumbai Indians for the most IPL titles at that time. It was also another major moment in Dhoni’s career as the franchise captain.
Chennai Super Kings Team and Key Players
CSK have featured several well-known international and Indian players since the IPL began. MS Dhoni remains one of the franchise’s most important figures, while Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo have also contributed to its success.
The team’s 2026 squad included captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis and Noor Ahmad, among others. The squad combined experienced players with younger talent as CSK looked to improve after finishing last in 2025.
MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is the most closely associated player with Chennai Super Kings. He captained the franchise through its five IPL title wins and helped establish its identity as a consistent team.
Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 season but remained an important presence in the squad. His leadership, wicketkeeping and finishing ability have made him a central figure in CSK’s history.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad took over as CSK captain in 2024. He has been one of the franchise’s leading batters since joining the team and is part of its leadership transition following Dhoni’s long captaincy.
Gaikwad’s role combines leading the side with contributing at the top of the batting order. CSK will look to him as they work to return to the playoffs and compete for another title.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja has played a major role in CSK’s success as an all-rounder. His left-arm spin, lower-order batting and fielding have made him valuable in different match situations.
Jadeja’s contribution in the 2023 final is among the most memorable moments in the franchise’s history. His four and six off the final two balls helped CSK defeat Gujarat Titans and win the championship.
Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina was one of CSK’s leading batters during their early years. He regularly scored runs in the middle order and helped the team maintain its strong record in the IPL.
Raina was part of the franchise’s successful title-winning campaigns and became a fan favourite. His performances earned him a lasting place in CSK’s history.
Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube has been an important batting option for CSK in recent seasons. His ability to hit boundaries against spin gives the team an attacking option in the middle overs.
Dube was CSK’s leading run-scorer in the 2025 season, when the team finished tenth. He remained part of the squad in 2026 as the franchise looked to improve its batting performances.
Chennai Super Kings Captains
MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings through most of their successful years. He captained the team to all five IPL titles before passing the role to Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2024.
| Captain | Role in CSK history |
| MS Dhoni | Led CSK to five IPL titles |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Took over captaincy in 2024 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Briefly captained the team in 2022 |
| Suresh Raina | Led the team in selected matches |
Dhoni’s captaincy helped CSK reach ten IPL finals and qualify for the playoffs in 12 seasons during his time as captain. His calm approach and ability to manage experienced players became key parts of the team’s identity.
Chennai Super Kings Coaches
Stephen Fleming served as CSK head coach from 2009 until 2026. During his time with the franchise, he worked alongside Dhoni and helped build a team known for its continuity and strong performances across seasons.
Fleming stepped down in July 2026 after 18 years with the franchise. CSK later appointed former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as head coach in September 2026.
| Coach | Period |
| Stephen Fleming | 2009–2026 |
| Zaheer Khan | Appointed in 2026 |
The franchise will aim to rebuild after missing the playoffs in 2024, 2025 and 2026, while maintaining the standards that brought it five IPL titles.
Chennai Super Kings 2026 Season
CSK finished eighth in the IPL 2026 league table after winning six of their 14 matches. They collected 12 points and ended the season with a net run rate of -0.345, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
The campaign included some promising performances, but CSK struggled to maintain consistency across the full season. Their six wins were not enough to keep them in the top four, and they finished below Kolkata Knight Riders in the final standings.
The season also marked the end of Fleming’s long tenure as head coach. Zaheer Khan’s appointment later in the year gave CSK a new coaching leader ahead of the next IPL campaign. The franchise will now look to improve its results and return to title contention.
Chennai Super Kings Home Ground
CSK play their home matches at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The venue is popularly known as Chepauk and is one of India’s best-known cricket grounds.
The stadium has hosted many important IPL matches, including CSK’s home fixtures during their title-winning campaigns. Its passionate supporters have helped make it one of the most recognisable home venues in the league.
Chennai Super Kings Records and Achievements
CSK’s history includes several major achievements in the IPL and other franchise competitions. Their five IPL titles place them among the league’s most successful teams, while their two Champions League T20 championships add to their record.
Major CSK Achievements
| Achievement | Record |
| IPL titles | 5 |
| IPL title-winning years | 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 |
| Champions League T20 titles | 2 |
| Champions League T20 winning years | 2010, 2014 |
| Home ground | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium |
| First IPL season | 2008 |
| Captain in 2026 | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| Head coach as of September 2026 | Zaheer Khan |
Why Chennai Super Kings Have Been Successful
CSK’s success has come from a settled leadership group, experienced players and the ability to perform in important matches. Dhoni’s captaincy and Fleming’s coaching helped the franchise maintain a consistent approach for many years.
The team has also benefited from players who contributed in different roles. Jadeja offered all-round value, Raina provided runs in the middle order, and Dhoni often guided the team through difficult situations. Their title wins across different periods show how CSK repeatedly built competitive squads.
The next challenge is to return to the playoffs after three consecutive seasons without qualification. With Gaikwad leading the team and Zaheer Khan taking charge as head coach, CSK will aim to begin a new successful chapter.
Chennai Super Kings at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Chennai Super Kings |
| Short name | CSK |
| Founded | 2008 |
| City | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| League | Indian Premier League |
| Owner | Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited |
| Home ground | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium |
| IPL titles | 5 |
| Title-winning years | 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 |
| Champions League T20 titles | 2 |
| Captain in 2026 | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| Head coach as of September 2026 | Zaheer Khan |
| 2026 league finish | Eighth |
| Latest IPL title | 2023 |
FAQs
Q. How many IPL titles have Chennai Super Kings won?
A. CSK have won five IPL titles.
Q. In which years did CSK win the IPL?
A. They won in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023.
Q. Who is the captain of Chennai Super Kings?
A. Ruturaj Gaikwad was the captain in the 2026 season.
Q. Who is the head coach of CSK?
A. Zaheer Khan was appointed head coach in September 2026.
Q. What is the home ground of Chennai Super Kings?
A. CSK play at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
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