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Middle order:
Suresh Raina
Highest run-getter in the IPL, Suresh Raina has been associated with CSK from the very beginning along with MS Dhoni. The number three for the yellow brigade has 4144 runs at an average of 34.53 and a strike rate of 138.96.
The southpaw had the distinction of not missing a single game for CSK until the third match of the 2018 season. He also has the most fifties (29) and most fours for CSK (367). Raina's consistency can be attributed from the fact that he has crossed the 400-run mark for CSK every single season and has been their most dependable batsman.
Subramaniam Badrinath
S Badrinath was CSK's man for the crisis. Every time the top order failed, Badrinath was there to steady the ship. Someone who was used most when other batsmen failed and was pushed lower down the order when openers had a good start, he was more of a bridge between the aggressive top order and the devastating lower middle order.
The fifth highest run-getter for CSK, Badrinath had 1441 runs to his name at an average of 30.65 and strike rate of 118.89 with a best score of 71*.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
MS Dhoni, the face of CSK, has been one of the best skippers in the history of the league with 3 IPL trophies, the joint-most with Rohit Sharma. A constant for the yellow brigade since the very beginning, Dhoni is the second highest run-getter for CSK with 3442 runs at an average of 41.97 and strike rate of 140.71.
One of the best finishers the game has seen, Dhoni has won CSK several games on his own from situations most others would have given up. The 2018 edition saw the best of Dhoni's captaincy, moving out of his comfort zone and optimizing the limited resources he had.
With the bat, return to CSK saw Dhoni wind back the clock and bat with disdain the way he did a decade back. Moving towards the twilight of his career, the craze for the big man is now more than ever and the fans expect a repeat of the 2018 performance from their favorite, both as a captain and a batsman.
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