Are you in the market for something novel and exciting in the realm of finance and investment? We bring you the fascinating opportunity of owning CSK Unlisted Shares. Established on December 19, 2014, under the CIN U74900TN2014PLC098517, and headquartered in the Dhun Building, Chennai, this investment opportunity lies in the unorthodox sector of Sports. The CSK share price has seen a 52-week high of 235 and a low of 174, with an impressive market cap of 6101. With a lot size of 100, and availability in both CDSL & NSDL depositories, it's a breeze to add these to your portfolio. The shares come with an EPS of 0.45 and a face value of 0.1, with a relatively low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. This Chennai Super King Share Price has a book value of 8.5 and trades at a P/E ratio of 442.6, with a P/B ratio of 23.3. The ISIN for these shares is INE852S01026. Whether you're a senior investor or a young adult dipping your toes into investments, these CSK unlisted shares could be the thrilling addition your portfolio needs.
Business Overview: A Champion Franchise
• Franchise Name and Legal Structure:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is owned and operated by Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL), a publicly listed company. CSKCL was formed in 2014 after being demerged from India Cements, which originally bought the franchise in 2008.
• Core Business Activities:
The primary business activity of CSKCL is managing and operating the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Beyond the IPL, CSKCL has expanded its global reach by owning other T20 franchises:
o Joburg Super Kings in SA20 (South Africa).
o Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket (USA).
• Business Model and Value Proposition
CSK's business model revolves around generating revenue from:
o IPL Central Revenue Share: A significant portion comes from media rights, title sponsorships, and other central pool revenues distributed by the IPL.
o Sponsorships & Endorsements: Lucrative deals with various brands for jersey sponsorships, in-stadia advertising, and promotional campaigns.
o Merchandise Sales: Revenue from selling team merchandise (jerseys, caps, etc.) to its vast fan base.
o Ticket Sales: Income from home matches played at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
o Brand Value & Reputation: CSK leverages its strong brand and consistent performance to attract top talent and commercial partners.
o Talent Development: Operating a high-performance center and cricket academy in Chennai to nurture budding cricketers.
•Market Positioning and Competitive Advantages: CSK is positioned as one of the most successful and popular franchises in the IPL.
o Consistent Performance: Five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) and ten final appearances underscore their consistent excellence.
o Strong Leadership: The long-standing influence of MS Dhoni and the stable management under Kasi Viswanathan (CEO) have created a resilient team culture.
o Massive Fan Base ("Yellow Army"): An incredibly loyal and passionate global fan base, particularly strong in South India, provides unparalleled support and brand appeal.
o Brand Trust: Despite controversies (like the 2013 spot-fixing scandal and subsequent two-year ban), CSK has repeatedly bounced back, demonstrating remarkable resilience and rebuilding trust.
• Key Milestones and Achievements:
o 2008: Acquired by India Cements in the inaugural IPL auction.
o 2010 & 2011: First team to win back-to-back IPL titles.
o 2014: Ownership transferred to Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL) due to BCCI conflict of interest rulings.
o 2016-2017: Served a two-year ban from the IPL.
o 2018: Made a remarkable comeback, winning their third IPL title.
o 2021: Won their fourth IPL title.
o January 2022: Became India's first sport unicorn, with a market valuation over $1 billion.
o 2023: Won their fifth IPL title, equalling Mumbai Indians for most titles.
o 2024 (IPL Season): Finished 5th in the league stage, narrowly missing playoffs.
o 2025 (IPL Season): Announced MS Dhoni will play one more season, retained key players, and made significant buys in the auction including Ravichandran Ashwin and Noor Ahmad.
Team Composition (IPL 2025 Season)
The IPL 2025 Mega Auction has seen significant changes, but CSK has managed to retain and acquire key players to maintain its core strength.
• Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad (retained)
• Key Retentions:
o MS Dhoni (Wicketkeeper-Batter): Despite his age (43), he remains a crucial asset for his leadership, wicketkeeping skills, and finishing prowess. Confirmed to play in IPL 2025.
o Ravindra Jadeja (All-rounder): A vital spin-bowling all-rounder, excellent in fielding and with the bat.
o Ruturaj Gaikwad (Batter): Captain, consistent top-order batsman, and the leading run-scorer for CSK in IPL 2024 (583 runs).
o Matheesha Pathirana (Bowler): The "Slinga Malinga" from Sri Lanka, a deathovers specialist with a unique action.
o Shivam Dube (All-rounder): Power-hitter in the middle order, especially effective against spin.
o Devon Conway (Batter): Reliable opening batsman, though his fitness and availability might be a factor.
o Rachin Ravindra (All-rounder): Promising left-arm all-rounder.
o Mukesh Choudhary (Bowler): Left-arm fast-medium bowler.
o Shaik Rasheed (Batter)
• Key Acquisitions (from IPL 2025 Auction):
o Ravichandran Ashwin (All-rounder): A significant homecoming, strengthening the spin department with his vast experience and variations. Acquired for ₹9.75 crore.
o Noor Ahmad (Bowler): Afghanistan's left-arm wrist-spinner, a high-value acquisition at ₹10 crore, further bolstering the spin attack.
o Khaleel Ahmed (Bowler): Left-arm fast-medium, known for his powerplay bowling. Acquired for ₹4.8 crore.
o Sam Curran (All-rounder): England's left-arm fast-medium all-rounder, brings versatility. Acquired for ₹2.4 crore.
o Rahul Tripathi (Batter): Top-order Indian batsman. Acquired for ₹3.4 crore.
o Nathan Ellis (Bowler): Australian fast-medium bowler. Acquired for ₹2 crore.
o Jamie Overton (All-rounder): England all-rounder. Acquired for ₹1.5 crore.
o Vijay Shankar (All-rounder): Experienced Indian all-rounder. Acquired for ₹1.2 crore.
o Deepak Hooda (All-rounder): All-rounder. Acquired for ₹1.7 crore.
o Anshul Kamboj (Bowler): Fast-medium bowler. Acquired for ₹3.4 crore.
• Squad Strength & Weaknesses (Pre-Season Analysis):
Strengths:
▪ Spin Attack: Potentially formidable with Jadeja, Ashwin, and Noor Ahmad, especially on spin-friendly home pitches at Chepauk.
▪ Experienced Core: The presence of Dhoni, Jadeja, and Ashwin provides immense experience and tactical nous.
▪ All-rounders: A good blend of all-rounders like Jadeja, Dube, Ravindra, and Curran offers flexibility.
▪ Home Advantage: The Chepauk pitch is well-suited to their spin-heavy strategy.
Potential Concerns:
▪ Batting Depth/Aggression (Top Order): While Gaikwad and Conway/Ravindra are solid, some analysis suggests the top order might lack the explosive aggression seen in other teams, particularly on battingfriendly wickets.
▪ Pace Bowling Support: While Pathirana is a key death bowler, the newball pace attack might need to step up to complement him consistently across different conditions.
▪ MS Dhoni's Role: While his presence is invaluable, his reduced batting role means others need to consistently contribute.
▪ Age Factor: Some key players are in the later stages of their careers, which could impact consistency or lead to injuries.
Recent Performance (IPL 2024 Season)
• IPL 2024 Performance: CSK, as defending champions, had a challenging IPL 2024 season. They finished 5th in the league stage with 7 wins and 7 losses, accumulating 14 points. They narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs due to Net Run Rate (NRR).
• Key Highlights of IPL 2024:
o Captaincy Change: MS Dhoni handed over captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad before the season.
o Most Runs: Ruturaj Gaikwad (583 runs)
o Most Wickets: Tushar Deshpande (17 wickets)
o Home Form: Improved, winning 5 out of 7 home games.
o Away Form: Lack of success in away matches contributed to their elimination.
• Overall IPL Track Record: CSK has one of the most impressive IPL records, with 5 titles and 10 final appearances. They have consistently been a top contender, showcasing remarkable resilience even after setbacks like their two-year ban.
Brand Value and Endorsements
• Brand Value: CSK is consistently ranked as one of the most valuable IPL franchises. In December 2024, Brand Finance reported CSK's brand value at $122 million, making them the most valuable IPL team. This represents a 52% increase in brand value. In January 2022, CSK became India's first sports unicorn with a market valuation exceeding
$1 billion.
• Key Drivers of Brand Value:
o MS Dhoni's Enduring Appeal: A significant portion of CSK's brand value is directly attributed to MS Dhoni's iconic leadership and massive fan following. Studies suggest over 50% of CSK's fan base supports the franchise purely because of him.
o "Yellow Army" Loyalty: The passionate and dedicated fan base creates an unparalleled atmosphere and strong brand connection.
o Consistent Success: Multiple IPL titles and playoff appearances reinforce CSK's image as a winning team.
o Strategic Partnerships: Long-term associations with major brands.
• Endorsements and Sponsorships (IPL 2025): CSK attracts a wide array of sponsors, leveraging its massive reach and emotional connect with fans.
Title/Principal Sponsors:
▪ Etihad Airways (Official Airline Partner)
▪ FedEx (Global logistics partner)
▪ Gulf Oil (Long-time principal sponsor for engine oil products)
Other Key Sponsors:
▪ British Empire (Clothing brand)
▪ Astral Pipes (Plumbing and building materials)
▪ Equitas Small Finance Bank (Banking services)
▪ Coca-Cola
▪ Surf Excel
▪ Amul Protein
▪ Ludic (Gaming company)
▪ Boldfit (Health and fitness products)
▪ Hello FM (Regional radio station)
▪ Rayzon Solar
▪ Baashyaam Constructions
▪ playR
▪ EbixCash
• Brand Strategy: CSK focuses on building an emotional connection with its "Yellow Army" through consistent performance, strong leadership, and effective social media engagement. They capitalize on the regional pride of Tamil Nadu.
Fan Base and Engagement
• Largest Fan Base: Chennai Super Kings boasts one of the largest fan bases in the IPL, often cited as having the most fans overall, dominating across social media platforms and match attendance. As of March 2025, CSK had approximately 43.5 million followers across social media.
• "Yellow Army" Phenomenon: The fan base is famously known as the "Yellow Army," and their motto "Whistle Podu" (Whistle Up) is synonymous with the team. Their loyalty is exceptional, even during the team's two-year ban, the fans remained steadfast.
• Engagement Drivers:
o MS Dhoni's Charisma: The primary driver of fan loyalty and engagement. His presence at matches, even with a reduced batting role, draws massive crowds.
o Consistent Performance & Legacy: The team's history of winning and reaching finals has cultivated a success-driven fan base.
o Regional Pride: CSK deeply resonates with the cultural identity of Tamil Nadu.
o Social Media Presence: Highly active on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), engaging fans through creative campaigns, player interactions, and content.
o Community Building: The franchise has actively fostered a sense of community among its supporters.
• Geographical Reach of Fan Base (Dhoni's Influence): While Chennai accounts for a significant portion, MS Dhoni's personal popularity extends CSK's reach nationwide. His top follower bases on social media include Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, indicating a pan-India appeal beyond just Chennai.