On This Day: CSK Crush RCB to Clinch Back-to-Back IPL Titles in 2011 Final Showdown

Under the inspirational leadership of MS Dhoni, the Super Kings not only dominated the season but also established themselves as the most successful IPL team of that time. The 2011 final at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium was a showcase of CSK’s all-round brilliance, turning RCB’s dream season into a nightmare. That evening, Dhoni’s men etched their names in history once again. Let’s revisit that memorable final.

Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 28 May 2011

The IPL 2011 final, played on May 28 at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, was a masterclass from Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who outplayed Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to win by 58 runs and defend their title. Led by the ever-cool MS Dhoni, CSK showcased their trademark consistency to overpower an RCB side banking heavily on Chris Gayle’s magic. Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey’s record-breaking opening stand set the tone.

CSK won the toss and chose to bat, a decision Dhoni made knowing the Chennai pitch would slow down later. They posted a daunting 205 for 5 in 20 overs, matching the third-highest total in IPL 2011 and setting a record for the highest score in an IPL final at the time. The backbone of their innings was a 159-run opening partnership between Vijay and Hussey, the highest first-wicket stand in IPL history.

On this day in 2011, Chennai Super Kings become the first IPL team to defend the title – dominated the league stage, won the qualifier 1 and was ruthless in final – A dream journey ended with a trophy at Chepauk. pic.twitter.com/wDc2w4QT3Q

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 28, 2022

Vijay, who earned the Player of the Match award, was in sublime form, scoring 95 off 52 balls with 4 fours and 6 sixes, boasting a strike rate of 182.69. His shots were a mix of grace and power, like the one he smashed off Sreenath Aravind over cow corner in the 11th over. Hussey, the steady foil, made 63 off 45 balls, hitting 3 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 140. Together, they kept CSK’s run rate soaring, reaching 56 without loss in the Powerplay, their best in the tournament and 121 without loss after 12 overs.

What made their partnership special wasn’t just the runs but how they ran between the wickets. They turned singles into twos making RCB’s fielders look sluggish. Hussey’s fifty came with a clever reverse sweep off Daniel Vettori in the 13th over, a shot that oozed class. The duo’s stand ended in the 15th over when Hussey, trying to clear long-on off Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad, was caught for 63. Vijay, agonizingly close to a century, fell for 95 in the 18th over, caught off Aravind after toe-ending a lofted shot. Dhoni chipped in with a brisk 22 off 13 balls, including 2 sixes, while Suresh Raina and Dwayne Bravo provided the late surge. Bravo’s unbeaten 6 off the final ball, a massive six off Gayle pushed CSK past 200.

RCB’s bowlers failed to prevent the runs. Zaheer Khan, their lead pacer, went wicketless, conceding 30 runs in 4 overs. Aravind was hammered for 39 runs in 3 overs, though he took 2 wickets, including Vijay and Dhoni. Gayle, better known for his batting, bowled a tidy 4 overs for 34 runs, snaring 2 wickets, Morkel and Raina in the final over. Vettori, RCB’s captain, struggled, leaking 34 runs in his 4 overs, his second-most expensive spell in IPL 2011, both against CSK. Fielding errors didn’t help RCB’s cause — overthrows and a dropped catch of Vijay by Luke Pomersbach allowed CSK to maintain a run rate above 10, peaking at 10.73 after 15 overs. CSK’s innings featured 10 fours and 13 sixes, with just one four in the first 7 overs, showing their reliance on big hits to dominate.

Chasing 206, RCB needed Gayle, the tournament’s top scorer with 608 runs, to fire. But Ashwin had other plans. In the first over, he dismissed Gayle for a three-ball duck, caught by Dhoni after a clever setup, two turning off-breaks followed by a skidding arm ball that Gayle edged while attempting a cut. This left RCB at 6 for 1, and the crowd erupted. Ashwin struck again in the third over, bowling Mayank Agarwal for 10 off 5 balls with a carrom ball that zipped away to hit off stump. His 3 for 16 in 4 overs, including Vettori’s wicket (caught and bowled for 0), was a game-changer. Ashwin’s tactic of slowing the pace, as he later explained, exploited the pitch’s turn, stifling RCB’s aggressive batsmen. His figures were the best in the match, underlining his role as CSK’s trump card.

RCB’s chase never recovered. Virat Kohli, their anchor, scored 35 off 32 balls with 1 four and 1 six but was trapped lbw by Raina in the 10th over, leaving RCB at 69 for 5. AB de Villiers, a potential match-winner, made 18 off 12 balls before falling lbw to Shadab Jakati, who finished with 2 for 21 in 4 overs, also dismissing Pomersbach for 2 via a return catch. Saurabh Tiwary, out of form, fought to an unbeaten 42 off 34 balls, including 1 four and 3 sixes, but his two sixes in the final over were too little, too late. RCB ended at 147 for 8, their run rate of 7.35 far below the required 10.30. Their Powerplay yielded 47 for 2, with 8 fours and 3 sixes in their innings, reflecting their struggle to keep up.

CSK’s bowling was a team effort. Bravo was economical, taking 1 for 15 in 2 overs, dismissing Mithun, while Bollinger claimed 1 for 28 in 3 overs, including Zaheer’s wicket. Raina, with 1 for 39 in 4 overs, got Kohli’s crucial scalp. CSK’s fielding was near-flawless, with Bravo’s diving save at square leg and Dhoni’s sharp glovework standing out. The stats painted CSK’s dominance. Their 205, built on 10 fours and 13 sixes, showcased their power-hitting, while their Powerplay score of 56 was unmatched in IPL 2011, and RCB’s 47 for 2 in the Powerplay and 147 for 8 overall highlighted their batting collapse.

The post-match ceremony saw CSK win the fair play award for the second straight year, reflecting their disciplined approach. Gayle received the Orange Cap for his 608 runs, while Vijay’s 95 earned him the Player of the Match. Dhoni, lifting the trophy, praised his team’s intent, a hallmark of their 2010 and 2011 IPL triumphs, and this victory capped a golden year for Dhoni, who also led India to the 2011 World Cup and CSK to the 2010 Champions League.