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MS Dhoni became the oldest captain to win the Indian Premier League trophy. Chennai Super Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2021 final to win their 4th title.

MS Dhoni has achieved another record once again, this time as the oldest captain in the history of the Indian Premier League to win the trophy. At 40, the CSK captain led the team to glory in IPL 2021 and clinched his 4th title as captain in the premier T20 tournament after successful outings in 2010,2011, and 2018.

MS Dhoni Becomes Oldest Skipper At 40 To Win IPL Trophy Ahead Of Shane Warne And Adam Gilchrist

MS Dhoni is also only the 2nd captain in the history of IPL to win more than 3 IPL titles. Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma is on top of the list with as many as 5 titles. CSK hammered KKR, exacting revenge for their defeat in the IPL 2012 final, in the big Dubai final.

Riding on an excellent 85 odd from their senior opening batsman, Faf du Plessis, CSK posted a mammoth total of 192. Despite the fifties from impressive KKR openers Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill, KKR managed just 165 runs in 20 overs, losing the final by 27 runs.

In the IPL 2021, the likes of CSK openers Ruturaj Gaikwad (635 runs) and Faf du Plessis (633 runs) finished as leading run-getters in IPL 2021. Moeen Ali (357 runs), Ambati Rayudu (257 runs) also delivered in crunch situations. Dwayne Bravo (14), Deepak Chahar(14), Ravindra Jadeja(13), Josh Hazlewood(11), and Shardul Thakur(21) were amongst the wickets.

Shane Warne (left) (RR) and MS Dhoni (CSK) - AP — Shane Warne (left) (RR) and MS Dhoni (CSK) – AP

Notably, MS Dhoni has broken Shane Warne’s record as the legendary Australian leg-spinner was aged 39 years when he led Rajasthan Royals to the glory in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. Notably, Shane Warne’s men had beaten MS Dhoni’s CSK in a thrilling final in 2008.

Adam Gilchrist won the title as captain for Deccan Chargers next season when he was 37. The former Australia wicketkeeper had led the now-defunct Deccan Chargers to a victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final.

MS Dhoni won his first IPL title when he was 29 as Chennai Super Kings got it tight in their 2nd IPL final in 2010. Dhoni was 38 when he led the Super Kings to their 3rd title in 2018, which was also the comeback season for the Chennai-based franchise, who was suspended from the league for 2 years.

Oldest captain to win the IPL title

MS Dhoni – 40 years in 2021 with CSK

Shane Warne – 39 years in 2008 with RR

Adam Gilchrist – 37 years in 2009 with Deccan Chargers

MS Dhoni promised by insisting that CSK would come back stronger in IPL 2021 after the 4-time champions missed a berth in the play-offs of the last season in the UAE for the first time in their IPL history. CSK completed a dream comeback, winning their 4th title with a near-perfect campaign in the UAE next season to fulfil MS Dhoni’s promise.

CSK Was The First Team To Be Eliminated From Playoffs In IPL 2020 But Was The First Team To Qualify For Playoffs In IPL 2021

Contrary to expectations, CSK did not go for a complete overhaul in IPL 2021 after a horror season, even as their stars were not getting any younger. CSK added a few key players like Moeen Ali by playing it smart once again in the auction. CSK did not have a great start as they lost their opener to Delhi Capitals, but they stormed back with a 6-wicket win over Punjab Kings. CSK never looked back from there as they 5 out of their first 7 matches.

However, when the season was moved to the UAE after it was suspended in May due to the Covid-19 pandemic and bio-bubble breaches, questions were asked whether CSK would be able to put behind their UAE disappointment of IPL 2020 and do well away from home. CSK allayed all those fears and kept their winning momentum intact in the UAE, as from not qualifying for the play-offs in 2020, they became the first team to make the top 4 in 2021.

Chennai Super Kings (Image Credit: Twitter)

MS Dhoni’s men finished inside the top 2 spots in the points table and had that extra opportunity to qualify for the final. They did not need the other as MS Dhoni came up with a vintage finish against Delhi Capitals. In the final, CSK hardly put a foot wrong as the Dad’s Army showed once again that they are the team to beat in the IPL.