IPL: CSK's greatest overseas XI of all time

Over the 10 seasons that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been part of the Indian Premier League (IPL), they've always had a strong Indian core - captain MS Dhoni, vice-captain Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin to name a few.

Even in the current squad, the likes of Ambati Rayudu and Kedar Jadhav, apart from Deepak Chahar, are all in and around the Indian limited-overs setup. But another main reason behind CSK having won three IPL titles is the sheer number of quality overseas players that have plied their trade for the side.

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CSK's greatest overseas XI of all time in the IPL

While the IPL states that no more than 4 overseas players can take to the field, we throw all such rules out of the window. Here is CSK's greatest overseas IPL XI of all time.

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Openers: Brendon McCullum (c, wk), Matthew Hayden

Brendon McCullum captains this side, and dons the gloves as well. Sound familiar?

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum played for CSK for only two years - 2014 and 2015 - but he made such an impact that he easily makes it to this all-time XI. In 28 games for CSK, Baz scored 841 runs at an average of 32.35 and a strike rate of 137.19, with one hundred to his name as well. McCullum is the captain of this XI, and dons the gloves as well.

Matthew Hayden partners McCullum at the top of the order, making an explosive right-left combination. The Australian great wore another shade of yellow for the first three years of the IPL, and scored 1,107 runs at an average of 36.9 and a strike rate of 137.52.

The fact that Hayden batted at the opening slot throughout his career puts him in this position, with many other players who opened the batting for CSK but not for their national teams placed lower down on this list.

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Middle Order: Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Smith, Mike Hussey

Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis find themselves slightly lower down the order in this XI

Although Shane Watson batted in the middle order for Australia for a large part of his international career, his success opening for both CSK and the Rajasthan Royals - as well as his failures for the Royal Challengers Bangalore - puts him at the next best spot - No. 3.

Watto has played two incredible knocks for CSK in the IPL finals of 2018 and 2019, and will be key to the team's fortunes in the upcoming IPL. Although he is getting on in age and doesn't bowl much anymore, he is still as destructive as ever with the bat in hand.

Faf du Plessis, Watson's opening partner for the majority of the 2019 IPL, comes in at No. 4. The former South African captain has played at No. 4 for CSK in the past, and has proven himself to be adaptable enough to bat anywhere in the order for any team he has played for. In 63 games for CSK, he has 1,639 runs at an average of 31.4 and strike rate of 126.76.

Dwayne Smith formed a lethal opening partnership with Brendon McCullum before CSK's suspension, but finds himself at No. 5, which is a position he has played at for both the West Indies and the Mumbai Indians. The Caribbean all-rounder managed 965 runs in 32 games for CSK in the IPL, at an average of 30.16 and a strike rate of 128.5.

Current CSK batting coach Mike Hussey is entrusted with the role of a finisher in this XI, which is one that he played with significant success for Australia. Mr. Cricket played 52 games for MS Dhoni's men, and scored 1,768 runs at an average of 42.10. He also won the Orange Cap in IPL 2013.

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All-rounders: Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel

Dwayne Bravo has been MS Dhoni's go-to man at the death in the IPL

Two of CSK's greatest fast-bowling all-rounders of all time - Dwayne Bravo and Albie Morkel - walk into this XI without an iota of doubt.

Bravo, who has been MS Dhoni's general in the middle overs and the death, has won countless games for the side with his performances in all three departments. In 89 games for CSK, the West Indian has 931 runs and 104 wickets, and won the Purple Cap twice - 2013 and 2015.

Although his influence has waned over the years, his captain's faith in him and his immense experience (he is closing on 500 wickets in the T20 format) should make him one of CSK's most important players in the 2020 IPL.

Albie Morkel played 78 games for CSK, and picked up 76 wickets and scored 827 runs. While these numbers aren't world-class, it would be a crime to understate the impact that the South African had on the team. With the ability to play blinders down the order and to swing the new ball, he played a major role in CSK's 2010 and 2011 IPL title wins.

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Bowlers: Imran Tahir, Doug Bollinger, Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan in action for CSK

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir has become a fan favourite at CSK, with his eye-catching celebrations and commitment. With 26 wickets in the 2019 IPL, the South African became the third CSK bowler to claim the Purple Cap. He has excelled at Chepauk, and will be crucial for the side in the UAE, despite being on the wrong side of 40.

Australian quick Doug Bollinger is the only full-time pacer in this XI, and adds some much-needed variety to the attack. In 27 games for CSK, the left-armer scalped 37 wickets at an economy rate of 7.22 and is undoubtedly one of the IPL side's most underrated players of all time.

Perhaps the greatest spinner to have ever graced the game, Muttiah Muralitharan, is the second spinner in this XI. The Sri Lankan legend is the leading wicket-taker in both Tests and ODIs, and his numbers for CSK are similarly great. In 40 games for the IPL franchise, he picked up 41 wickets at an incredible economy rate of 6.3.