IPL 2020: Chennai Super Kings' team of the decade

Chennai Super Kings has been the second-most successful team in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the defending champions Mumbai Indians. Winning three titles in ten years speaks volumes of the dominance of the team in this tournament.

CSK has managed to reach the playoffs in each edition of the league and played eight IPL finals out of ten. The Yellow Army are also the only team to successfully defend their IPL title with their successive victories in 2010 and 2011.

Title wins notwithstanding, this team has produced a lot of young stars who made it big in the national team. The likes of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Suresh Raina were immensely benefitted due to their presence and performances in the yellow outfit.

Also see – BPL Most Runs 2020

In the last ten years, despite being banned for two years, CSK was one of the most widely followed IPL franchises. As we approach the end of this decade, it is fitting to take a look back at certain players who performed consistently for Chennai throughout the past ten years and will walk into the CSK team of the decade.

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#1. Openers: Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay

Mike Hussey

The Australian middle-order batsman, Mike Hussey was a regular for CSK at the top of the order during the early half of this decade. Hussey was a consistent performer for the Chennai-based franchise and was even a part of the two title-winning teams in 2010 and 2011. His opening partnership in 2011, alongside Murali Vijay, was an instant hit as the duo helped CSK defend the title.

Since 2010, Hussey scored 1600 runs in 46 appearances for the franchise with a personal best of 95. The southpaw was also the Orange Cap holder in IPL 2013, scoring 733 runs for CSK in the entire edition. In his debut game in the IPL, the left-handed batsman became only the second player to score a century in the league against Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2008.

Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay was one of the local boys who was picked by CSK during the initial editions of the league. However, Vijay failed to make an impact in his first year at the IPL in 2009.

But it was from 2010 onwards that he hit a golden patch in the IPL, making the opening slot his own to become CSK's backbone for the next few years. He was a bank at the top for CSK between the period 2010-2013 before he was finally released in the IPL auction.

Since 2010, Vijay has played 63 matches for his home-based franchise, accumulating 1616 runs including 7 fifties and two hundreds. His highest score of 127 in IPL 2010, saw him carve out an image of an attacking batsman at the world stage.

#2 Middle-order: Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis

Riana is fittingly known as Mr. IPL

Suresh Raina has been one of the most consistent performers in the history of IPL. He has been a driving force in CSK's numerous successful campaigns at the IPL. Known as Mr.IPL, Raina has played most matches - 164 for Chennai and has scored most runs for the franchise. Since IPL 2010, the UP-born lad has managed to score more than 300 runs in each season. His consistency and attacking instinct have done wonders for CSK in all these years at the IPL. With 3672 runs this decade, he owns the No.3 spot in this CSK XI.

Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis walks into the CSK XI at No.4 spot. Du Plessis, who has played most of his matches as an opener for CSK, will take the middle-order spot as an experienced campaigner who can perform at any given spot. The South African skipper joined CSK in 2012 and was an immediate hit in the IPL. He secured his place for the next three years as an overseas opener before the franchise was banned ahead of 2016. In 63 games for CSK, Faf has scored 1639 runs at an average of 31.52.

#3 Wicket-keeper and Captain: MS Dhoni

Dhoni re-discovered his hitting form in IPL 2018

MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai Super Kings, will bat at No.5 in the batting order. Known as Captain Cool, Dhoni has led CSK to three IPL titles in the past 10 years. His ability to lead a side in unparalleled. He has been brilliant as a leader who has the knack of extracting the best out of his players.

In IPL 2018 Dhoni led the side to an IPL title on return. Being the leader of the team, his batting exploits for CSK have often slipped under the radar. He has played a crucial role in scripting wins from some of the unexpected situations for his side. He has been the chief contributor in finishing off games for his team in all these years at the IPL. In 130 games for CSK this decade, Dhoni has scored 3112 runs at a staggering average of 51.42.

#4 All-rounders: Albie Morkel and Dwayne Bravo

Albie Morkel

Albie Morkel, the retired South African player, was a prolific all-rounder for Chennai during his stint in the IPL. He was one of the few overseas players who were constants throughout CSK's successful years at the beginning of this decade. Morkel was a potent option with the ball and complemented well with his hard-hitting to offer a great package to any side.

Since 2010, he represented the Yellow Army in 63 matches and scored 489 runs along with 46 wickets to his name in his six years at Chennai. He was Dhoni's go-to man in demanding circumstances and the all-rounder was capable enough to deliver more often than not.

Bravo is an entertainer on the field

To partner Morkel in the all-rounders' role, DJ Bravo is an obvious choice in any CSK team. The most consistent overseas performer for Chennai since 2011, Bravo was at his lethal best during the first half of this decade. His T20 prowess as an all-rounder might have taken a considerable dip, but he still happens to be a run-away match-winner on any given day. The Purple Cap holder for CSK in IPL 2013 and IPL 2015, Bravo has 104 scalps to his name in 89 matches for the franchise. In these matches, the Caribbean all-rounder has scored 927 runs including numerous match-winning performances, both with the bat and ball.

#5 Spinners: Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin

Jadeja might play an important role with the bat in IPL 2020

Ravindra Jadeja made a switch from the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala to CSK in IPL 2012 when he was the most expensive buy of the season. The Saurashtra-lad proved every pennyworth as he made an immediate contribution with both bat and ball. For the next few seasons, Jadeja emerged as CSK's one of the two frontline spinners alongside R Ashwin. With his superb efforts in the IPL, he also presented a case for his selection in the Indian team. He continues to be an integral part of the CSK setup. Having played 102 matches for CSK, Jadeja has picked 79 wickets to complement his 865 runs with the bat.

Ashwin was a quick learner at CSK

R Ashwin was another local talent whose burst onto the scene was helped by his performances for CSK in the IPL. Ashwin made his debut for the CSK in IPL 2009 but couldn't create an impact. However in 2010, he began to create an image for himself and in IPL 2011, he grabbed eyeballs for his crafty off-spin. He quickly escalated to higher prominence and continued to perform consistently. Ashwin has played 95 games for CSK this decade and was the highest wicket-taker for them before he shifted his base to Rising Pune SuperGiant in IPL 2016.

#6 Seamers: Mohit Sharma and Deepak Chahar

Mohit Sharma

The Haryana-born lad Mohit Sharma joined CSK in IPL 2013 and witnessed a successful outing in his maiden appearance in the cash-rich league. He played 13 matches in the edition and played a major hand in taking his side to the finals in 2013. He remained a constant for the next three years at CSK. As his performances improved, he was even considered for national selection. Sharma was fortunate enough to represent India in the World Cup 2015. For Chennai, he played 48 matches and registered 58 wickets as one of their better seamers during the period between 2013 to 2015.

Chahar led CSK's attack in IPL 2019

Deepak Chahar is another young Indian seamer, who has grown leaps and bounds ever since his debut in the IPL. After witnessing two successful years with the ball in 2018 and 2019, Chahar was touted as one of the bowlers for the future. In the last two years for CSK, Chahar has emerged as the highest wicket-taker for the franchise. His ability to consistently hit the right spot and make the ball talk makes him a potent option even in T20s. In 29 matches for CSK, Deepak has claimed 32 wickets at an economy of 7.40.