MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings establish base in another country

In a recent development, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings, widely known as CSK, has established a new cricket academy in Sydney, Australia. The news was informed by Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan.

The franchise announced the news of the establishment of a new academy, which will provide indoor and outdoor training facilities throughout the year.

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Chennai Super Kings establishes new cricket academy in Sydney

This is the third international Super Kings academy in the world. Before this, CSK had already set up international academies in the UK and Dallas, USA. It marks a remarkable journey for the franchise which was once banned for two years in the IPL due to a spot-fixing scandal.

The new academy in Sydney is located at Cricket Central, 161 Silwerwater Road, Sydney Olympic Park. The academy will get underway from September 2024 and will offer both indoor and outdoor training facilities throughout the year. It will offer cricket coaching for both boys and girls.

The CEO of the Chennai Super Kings franchise, Kasi Viswanathan, expressed his delight at the new establishment. Viswanathan hailed Australia for having a strong sporting culture in the country and added that the academy will help groom young cricketers across the country.

"We are happy to extend our special journey to Australia, which began with the inception of the IPL in 2008. Australia is a champion country with a strong sporting culture and a rich cricketing legacy. The Super Kings academy will tap into and help groom cricketers, both boys and girls, adding to the already strong system in the country," Viswanathan stated.

Australia is the most successful country in the history of cricket. They have won a record six ODI World Cups and one T20 World Cup so far. Adding to this, they have won two ICC Champions Trophy titles as well.

"We have the opportunity to develop the next generation of cricketers" - Kasi Viswanathan

Viswanathan also mentioned that the franchise is keen to develop the future generation of cricketers through the world-class infrastructure set up in Sydney.

"Geographical boundaries are shrinking rapidly in cricket over the last few years. With a presence in India, USA, UK, and now Australia, we have the opportunity to develop the next generation of cricketers through our world-class facilities, strong coaching curriculum, exchange programs, and more," Kasi Viswanathan added.

Chennai Super Kings is the joint most successful team in the history of the IPL. They have won five IPL titles so far, which is the joint most with Mumbai Indians. CSK last won the IPL in the 2023 season, when they defeated Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad.

All of CSK's five titles have come under MS Dhoni, which makes him the joint most successful captain in the history of the IPL, alongside Rohit Sharma, who has led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles.

Chennai Super Kings have also owned teams in the other leagues. In Major League Cricket (MLC), they have a team named Texas Super Kings. In SA20 too, they own a team called Johannesburg Super Kings.