Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is one of the most dominant teams in IPL history. They have played in 10 finals, the most by any franchise. While they have won five titles, they also ended as runners-up five times.

MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad

These losses were often closely fought battles, with CSK coming agonizingly close to victory. Despite the setbacks, their consistency in reaching finals proves why they are one of the greatest teams in the tournament.

Let us now take a look at CSK’s five runner-up finishes and what happened in those finals.

2008 – Lost to Rajasthan Royals

CSK played their first-ever IPL final against Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. They scored 163/5 with solid contributions from Suresh Raina (43) and MS Dhoni (29*). Rajasthan Royals chased the target, scoring 164/7. Yusuf Pathan played a match-winning knock of 56 off 39 and also took three wickets. Rajasthan won by 3 wickets, and CSK finished as runner-up.

2012 – Lost to Kolkata Knight Riders

CSK batted first and put up a big total of 190/3, with Suresh Raina smashing 73 off 38 balls. KKR started poorly but recovered with Manvinder Bisla’s incredible 89 off 48 and Jacques Kallis’ steady 69 off 49. KKR chased down the target in the final over, scoring 191/5 and winning by 5 wickets.

2013 – Lost to Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians struggled initially but managed to reach 149/9, thanks to Kieron Pollard’s 60 off 32. CSK had a horrible start, losing six wickets for just 39 runs. MS Dhoni fought back with an unbeaten 63 off 45, but it wasn’t enough. CSK finished at 125/9, losing by 23 runs.

2015 – Lost to Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians dominated the final by scoring 202/5. Rohit Sharma (50 off 26) and Lendl Simmons (68 off 45) led the charge. CSK had a tough chase and could only manage 161/8, with Dwayne Smith scoring 57 off 48. Mumbai won by 41 runs, and CSK had to settle for second place again.

2019 – Lost to Mumbai Indians

CSK faced their arch-rivals MI in another final in 2019. Mumbai set a target of 149/8, with Kieron Pollard top-scoring with an unbeaten 41 off 25. Shane Watson almost won the game for CSK with a brilliant 80 off 59, but Lasith Malinga defended 9 runs in the final over. CSK lost by just 1 run, in what was their most heartbreaking final defeat in history.