In 2008, a cricket league called the Indian Premier League was founded. 8 new franchises were created and all these 8 teams were supposed to progress through the league and semi-final stages until the finals. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was then the captain of the Indian team, was appointed as the captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Not just Dhoni but the captains of all teams faced a new challenge. The 20-over format was new at the time and was of interest to all IPL teams. Here let us know how the first year of the Indian Premier League was for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team CSK.
How was the first IPL year for CSK?
In IPL 2008, Chennai Super Kings played their first match against Punjab Kings in which Dhoni’s team won by 33 runs. Since IPL is played in a double round-robin format, CSK would play 2-2 against the other teams in the league phase. CSK played 14 matches in the league phase, out of which they won 8 and lost 6 times. Chennai scored 16 points and the team finished third in the points table.
In the semi-final, CSK faced Punjab in which Dhoni’s team put in a brilliant performance and won by 9 wickets. In the final they faced Rajasthan Royals and the game lasted until the last ball. Chennai was the first to score 163 runs while the Rajasthan team achieved the feat of becoming IPL champions for the first time by scoring a run on the last ball .
Most runs for CSK in IPL 2008
Suresh Raina was the Chennai Super Kings’ top run-scorer in the 2008 IPL. He scored 421 runs in 16 games this season and his strike rate was impressive. He achieved a strike rate of 142.71 this season. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the team’s second highest run-scorer. He had scored 414 runs in 16 matches.
Most wickets for CSK in IPL 2008
The bowler who took the most wickets for CSK in IPL 2008 was Albie Morkel. Throughout the season, he took 17 wickets in 13 matches and the team’s second highest wicket-taker was Manpreet Gony. He also took 17 wickets in 16 matches.
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