MS Dhoni and the heartbreak of six final losses – A painful summary

When it comes to Chennai Super Kings and Indian Premier League playoffs, it is a match made in heaven. They have made it to 10 IPL playoffs in the 10 editions that they have featured in. However, the statistics hide a dark story which has been Chennai Super Kings’ woeful record in the finals. Out of the 10 playoffs, Chennai Super Kings have reached the final eight times and won just three. Following their loss in the IPL 2019 final to Mumbai Indians by one run, this was Chennai Super Kings’ fifth loss in the final. However, for Dhoni, it was his sixth loss at this stage having earlier lost by a similar margin to the same franchise and at the same venue in 2017 while playing for Rising Pune Supergiants. Here is a summary of each of Dhoni’s heartbreaks in the final of the IPL.

2008: Chennai Super Kings denied on the last ball

Yusuf Pathan stole the show with a brilliant all-round show for Rajasthan Royals. With the ball, he took 3/22 and restricted them to 163/5. With the bat, Yusuf blasted 56 off 39 balls with three fours and four sixes but Rajasthan Royals needed eight runs off the last over. Lakshmipathy Balaji conceded two wides and another couple of runs as Rajasthan Royals won off the last ball to win the first IPL by three wickets.

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2012: Bisla brilliance dents Chennai in Chepauk

Things were looking bright for Chennai Super Kings in 2012. They had won in 2010 and 2011 and they were playing the final in front of their home fans. Michael Hussey blasted 54 and Suresh Raina hit 73 as Chennai Super Kings made 190/3. However, Manvinder Bisla stole the show with a blazing 89 off 48 balls and he was given good company by Jacques Kallis as Kolkata Knight Riders won by five wickets with two balls to spare.

2013: Mumbai Indians stamp their authority

Kieron Pollard blasted 60 off 32 balls to rescue Mumbai Indians from a precarious position. His knock helped Mumbai Indians reach 148/9 and in turn, Chennai Super Kings were reduced to 58/8. MS Dhoni kept the fight alive by hammering a fifty but Chennai Super Kings lost by 23 runs. This was not the first time that Dhoni would be hurt by Mumbai Indians.

2015: Chennai Super Kings get hurt again by Mumbai

Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith made some valuable contributions as they reached 202/5 and once again, Mumbai Indians’ discipline came to the fore as Chennai Super Kings fell short by 41 runs as they were denied for the second time by Mumbai Indians.

2017: Ultimate heartbreak Hyderabad Part-1

Chennai Super Kings were suspended for two years and thus MS Dhoni was playing for Rising Pune Supergiant. The team reached the final where they squared off with Mumbai Indians again. Krunal Pandya’s 47 helped Mumbai Indians reach 129/8 and Rising Pune Supergiant was boosted by a fifty from Steve Smith. However, Mitchell Johnson bowled a wonderful final over as he managed to defend 11 runs and take 3/26 to help Mumbai Indians win by one run.

2019: Ultimate heartbreak Hyderabad Part-2

Kieron Pollard smashed 41 off 25 balls and Mumbai Indians reached 149/8. Shane Watson blasted 80 but Jasprit Bumrah bowled a brilliant spell. Lasith Malinga redeemed himself with a brilliant final over as Mumbai Indians defended seven runs to ensure Mumbai Indians had won the title for the fourth time. This was heartbreak for the sixth time for Dhoni and third against Mumbai Indians.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Lasith Malinga managed to defend nine runs in the last over.
• Chennai Super Kings suffered their fifth loss in the IPL final.
• Mumbai Indians became the first team to win four IPL titles.