IPL 2020: 5 current CSK players who featured in the first edition in 2008

Indian Premier League (IPL) has never failed to appreciate talent and skills of a player who perform at this level of competitive T20 cricket. The league has always encouraged players in providing them with opportunities to excel and earn a name for themselves. Not many players have been fortunate to convert their chances, while those who do, often end up creating a larger impact on the game. It has been more than 10 years since the inception of IPL in 2008 and there are many players from the inaugural season who are still around contributing towards their team's success.

Chennai Super Kings, over the course of the years have become a home to some of the most experienced players who have been playing since the first season.As we approach the 13th edition of IPL in 2020, there are a few players who will either be joining CSK ahead of the next season or have been a constant member for the 'Yellow Army'. Here's a look at 5 players who were a part of IPL 2008 and will feature for CSK even in 2020:

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#5 Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla

The Indian leg-spinner, Piyush Chawla is an IPL veteran. After having played 157 matches in the last 12 years in the league, the experienced campaigner has lent his services to a couple of IPL franchises in the past, before joining CSK ahead of the IPL 2020.

Chawla began his IPL career with Kings XI Punjab in 2008 and was a vital cog in the Kings' line-up. He represented Punjab for six consecutive seasons before joining Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2014. Chawla added immense value to the KRR setup as he was seen donning the role of a handy bowling all-rounder who could swing his willow in the death overs.

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In IPL 2020, Chawla will shift his base and travel to the Chennai-based franchise after he was bought for a whopping IPL auction price of ₹6.75 crores. This will be Chawla's third franchise and he would hope to make a difference with his experience in the side. It will be interesting to see if the 31-year-old is regularly able to make the playing XI given CSK already have an experienced pool of spinners.

#4 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

The Indian all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja burst onto the scene in IPL 2008. At a young age of 20, Jadeja emerged as one of Rajasthan Royals' best players and played a major role in helping the side win the T20 tournament in the inaugural season.

He even played for Rajasthan in IPL 2009 and was able to put up an even better show for the Jaipur-based franchise. However, he was banned from IPL in 2010. After playing for Kochi Tuskers Kerala in 2011, in IPL 2012 the prolific spin all-rounder was bought by Chennai Super Kings for $2 million, ending up being the most expensive buy in the auction in 2012.

Since 2012, Jadeja has managed to notch up some great match-winning performances for the Dhoni-led side. He was one of the three players retained by the franchise in IPL 2018. His contribution to Chennai's success can be estimated from the fact that Jadeja is their second-most successful spinner after R Ashwin with 90 wickets playing for CSK.

In the past couple of seasons, the franchise has even trusted him to do the job with the bat as he is being seen a probable finisher alongside MS Dhoni in the lower-order.

#3 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh

One of India's finest off-spinners of all time, Harbhajan Singh is one of the few players to have won four IPL titles under two different franchises. Singh, who began his IPL career for Mumbai Indians as captain for the first few games in 2008, was a regular feature for the franchise in his first ten years at the IPL.

Harbhajan Singh won three IPL titles along the way before he was released by Mumbai ahead of IPL 2018 auction. In the mega auction, the experienced campaigner was bought by Chennai Super Kings as one of their core members of the squad in 2018.

He was quite successful in 2018 and was used intelligently by Dhoni on tracks that assisted spinners or on occasions when his experience would help the team's cause. With his experience of 160 games in the IPL, Harbhajan Singh will be in CSK outfit in IPL 2020. The 39-year old might be past his prime but still happens to be a potent option with his four overs in a T20 game. In all possibilities, this season could be the swansong in his career.

#2 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

The Indian middle-order batsman, Suresh Raina has been the most successful batsman in the history of the IPL. With three IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings, Raina has been an indispensable part of the franchise in all these years at the IPL.

Apart from the two seasons in 2016 and 2017, a two-year period when CSK was banned from the IPL, Raina has been a constant member at his favoured No.3 position for Chennai. His contribution for Chennai goes beyond numbers. He has mostly delivered in the knockout games that demand big match players to stand-up and take the onus upon themselves to see the team through the tough period.

He has been a central figure in the team alongside skipper MS Dhoni in guiding them past the finishing line on various occasions in IPL. His tally of 4527 runs playing for the franchise, is the most for any CSK batsman.

Even in IPL 2020, when Raina is nearing the twilight in his career, the fans would hope that the UP-born lad can continue to serve his team for another few years in the IPL before he finally calls it a day in professional cricket.

#1 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni

The former Indian skipper, MS Dhoni is one of the main reasons for CSK's success in the IPL. In IPL 2008, Dhoni was backed as the captain of the franchise as a young leader who had won his first major ICC title as skipper, only a few months ago in India colours.

He has led Super Kings with grace and played a huge role in making CSK as one of the teams to beat in the IPL. In 2011, Dhoni became the first captain to defend an IPL title with consecutive victories in IPL 2010 and 2011.

His stature as a leader, over the years, has grown manifold. From a young and instinctive captain, he has managed to carve out an image for himself as 'Captain Cool' who has the marvellous ability to remain unfazed under pressure. His understanding of his players and the ability to extract the best out of them, is a hallmark that separates him from other captains. Even in IPL 2020, the 38-year old will hope that he can guide Chennai to yet another victorious campaign in the IPL-13.

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