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Oval Invincibles scripted history on Sunday, August 18, by becoming the first team in the Men’s Hundred competition to win back-to-back titles. They defeated the Southern Brave in the final at Lord’s after displaying top-level performances throughout the tournament. They qualified for the final directly after finishing at the top of the points table.
In the final, the Invincibles' batting line-up was tested as they seemed to have lost their way midway through the first innings. However, some powerful hitting by Tom Curran and Tom Lammonby propelled them to 147/9, which proved to be enough in the end.
During the run chase, the Southern Brave looked in a commanding position when the openers, James Vince and Alex Davies, were at the crease. However, the introduction of Adam Zampa into the attack turned the match on its head. After a brief partnership, Saqib Mahmood ripped apart the lower middle order and there was no way back for the Brave.
The Oval Invincibles have been one of the most consistent sides in the competition. They couldn't quite make it count in the first year, but ever since the second year, they have gone from strength to strength. They have an eerie similarity with the Chennai Super Kings, who have been the most consistent franchise in the IPL.
Having said that, let us have a look at three similarities between the Oval Invincibles Men and the Chennai Super Kings:
# 1. Both teams have kept their core group intact
Having a consistent group of players in any competition helps a team gel together. In most T20 competitions across the globe, we have seen teams performing much better when they have a core group intact for a considerable amount of time. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have been the two most successful sides in the IPL, with Kolkata Knight Riders securing the third spot.
Over the years, all three teams have maintained their core and a similar template has been followed by the Oval Invincibles in the Men’s Hundred competition. Sam Billings, who led them to their second title win, has been with the franchise since its inception.
Even Saqib Mahmood, who was the Player of the Match in the final, missed the last two seasons due to injury. However, the team management still retained the fast bowler and he repaid their faith in the final.
Sam Billings, who has been a part of the Chennai Super Kings outfit, mentioned during an interview with ESPN Cricinfo that continuity in a team helps massively. While it certainly doesn't guarantee success, the trust and the bonding between the players can play a huge role in the outcome.
# 2. Both CSK and the Oval Invincibles have won back-to-back titles
It's never easy for a franchise team to win back-to-back competitions, especially when all other teams are equally balanced and can produce match-winning performances consistently. CSK won the IPL title back-to-back in 2010 and 2011.
A trait which makes CSK so dangerous is the trust they have in their abilities. Even when they have had below-par seasons where they couldn't qualify for the playoffs, the morale in the team never went down. They came back strong the next year, and that is similar to the Oval Invincibles.
The Invincibles couldn't quite make it to the playoffs in the first two seasons, but what has transpired in the last two years has been nothing short of exemplary. They have trusted their players who failed to make an impact in the first two years and they have fully repaid the faith by winning back-to-back titles.
# 3. Both teams have a strong group of spinners
Another similarity between the two sides is the ability of their spinners. Over the years, the Chennai Super Kings have relied on their spin department. Ravichandran Ashwin emerged through the CSK ranks and now they have world-class spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Maheesh Theekshana, and Mitchell Santner.
The spin department played a massive role in the Oval Invincibles winning their second Hundred title as well. Adam Zampa was the wrecker-in-chief for the Invincibles in the 2024 edition and took a couple of wickets in the final as well.
Zampa finished as the joint-highest wicket taker with 19 scalps to his name. Nathan Sowter and Will Jacks also bagged wickets in the middle overs which made a difference in the eventual outcome of the final.
