Today’s date, i.e. May 27, holds a special place in the hearts of all Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders’ fans as both teams lay their hands on the Indian Premier League trophy just 6 years apart from each other.
While one team asserted their dominance on the tournament once again after their return, the other showed its true potential by stunning all other sides to end their four-year title drought.
The common factor in both teams was their respective captains, completely different personalities but equally effective.
KKR’S MAIDEN TITLE RUN
Kolkata Knight Riders, under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir, clinched their maiden IPL title in 2012 after beating defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the final at the MA Chidambaram stadium on May 27, 2012.
KKR were superbly led by the gutsy Gambhir, who had joined the franchise in the 2011 as the highest paid player in the auction at $2.4 million.
They went on to win 10 matches out of 16 in the league phase while beating Delhi Capitals in the first qualifier to set up the final against CSK.
The match will be remembered for the superb knock played by Manvinder Bisla, who smashed 89 off 48 balls as KKR made a mockery of the 191-run target.
Bisla was ably supported by Jacque Kallis (69) as KKR chased down 191 in 19.4 overs to win their first title in the IPL.
THE LIONS ROAR AGAIN
Chennai Super Kings made an emotional return to the IPL after serving out their two-year suspension for spot-fixing by going all the way and lifting the trophy for the first time since 2011.
MS Dhoni was back leading the yellow-brigade as they crushed the Sunrisers Hyderabad to lift their third title, making Mahi the joint-most successful captain in the IPL along with Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma.
Shane Watson single-handedly guided CSK to victory with his unbeaten 117 off 57 balls, the highest score in an IPL final, as they chased down 179 in just 18.3 overs at the Wankhede Stadium on May 27, 2018.
CRICKET’S 1ST TRI-SERIES
Today in 1912: Test cricket’s first triangular tournament began with the 1st match at Manchester btw Aus & SAf.
On the 1st day itself, 464 runs were scored by both teams, with Australia making 448 runs in 122.3 overs.
This was the first of 44 neutral Test matches played so far!— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) May 27, 2020
The first triangular series in Test cricket was played on this day in 1912 between England, Australia and South Africa, the only three Test-playing nations at the time.
The first Test of the series was played at Old Trafford in Manchester between Australia and South Africa.
Australia, led by Syd Gregory, won the match by an innings and 88 runs.
