The Real Kings

Another year, another successful season that has led to everything but the trophy. With the twelfth edition of India’s premier twenty-twenty league coming to an end, the Chennai Super Kings have once again shown everyone why they are the number 1 franchise in the IPL. With the highest success rate in the league(63.2%), the most number of playoff appearances(9), finals appearances(7) and several other records to its name, CSK has shown us why it’s a successful brand on the field. The only rival to its on-field success is its success off the field. Ever since its inception in 2008, CSK has worked on improving what is most important for any sports franchise – brand. With a valuation of USD 65 million as of 2018, CSK is undoubtedly the biggest brand in the IPL. To identify the primary reason behind this success, we must take a dive down memory lane. In the very first auction, the Chennai based franchise decided to go all out in trying to get the country’s hottest T20 prospect at the time, Indian cricket legend MS Dhoni. He had freshly returned from leading his country to a win in the first ever T20 world cup, and was the target of many a team. Throughout his eight year run, Dhoni has proved to be a huge asset to CSK both from a cricketing as well as a business standpoint. In almost all parts of Chennai, the word CSK echoes synonymous to the name Dhoni – such has been the impact the man from Ranchi has made on the Chennai cricketing scene. Without any apprehension, the city that is hailed to house the most knowledgeable cricket fans in India, Chennai, accepted its adopted son wholeheartedly. Walking around Chennai in the months of April and May will make this clear. From street shops to the backs of people, the number 7 is everywhere around you. Lightning quick hands behind the stumps, cool demeanor, mighty blows at the end of an innings and match-winning knocks through the years have all shown CSK fans that what they have with them is something special, something that transgresses regional, linguistic and even cultural boundaries. Fans from all corners of the country are united by one thing, their love for Chennai super kings, all of which was made possible by one man ‘Thala’ M.S Dhoni.