Indian Premier League 2021
2021 · 8 teams · T20 cricket
Tournament Overview
Series Overview
The 2021 Indian Premier League was a tournament split in two by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase began in April 2021 in India but was suspended in May after positive tests within the bio-bubble. The second phase resumed in September-October 2021 in the United Arab Emirates, with all 31 remaining matches played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Chennai Super Kings, who had finished eighth in the 2020 season, launched the most remarkable of comebacks. Under MS Dhoni's captaincy, CSK played fearless, attacking cricket across both phases to reach the final in Dubai. Kolkata Knight Riders, who had survived a dramatic playoff chase of their own, were their opponents. CSK batted first and posted 192/3 — Faf du Plessis top-scoring with a brisk 86. KKR's chase started well but lost momentum in the middle overs and were bowled out for 165/9, gifting CSK a 27-run victory. Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK's young opening batter from Maharashtra, was the standout performer of the entire season with 635 runs across 16 innings — winning the Orange Cap in his breakthrough IPL campaign. For CSK and their fans — one of the most passionate and numerous in world T20 cricket — a fourth title after a season to forget in 2020 felt like true redemption.
Key Highlights
- 1CSK won their fourth IPL title — becoming the second most successful franchise in the tournament's history
- 2The tournament was split across two phases: the first in India (suspended due to COVID-19), the second in the UAE
- 3Ruturaj Gaikwad won the Orange Cap with 635 runs — an exceptional debut IPL season for the young opener
- 4CSK posted 192/3 in the final before restricting KKR to 165/9 — a dominant 27-run victory in Dubai
- 5CSK's comeback season after finishing eighth in IPL 2020 was one of cricket's great redemption stories