IPL History: All-time XI of Chennai Super Kings

The season 12 of the Indian Premier League is underway and we have already witnessed some close games and last over finishes. The Chennai Super Kings have begun from where they left last season, winning 2 in 2 of their opening games. The Chennai side has been one of the most successful sides in the history of the tournament, winning a record 3 IPL titles and 2 Champions League titles.

The MS Dhoni-led side has witnessed some great players over the years and we will look at the players (in the batting order) who make it to the combined XI of this prodigious team.

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Openers: Mike Hussey and Matthew Hayden

Hayden was the Orange Cap holder in the 2nd edition of the IPL

As far as the openers were concerned, it was a tough choice as quite a few good players such as Brendon Mccullum and Murali Vijay have played for them CSK. But the first two names that strike you are Mike Hussey and Mathew Hayden.

The two Australians were exceptional for the men in yellow in the years they represented the Chennai side. Both were world-class T20 players and knew how to pace their innings superbly.

Mike Hussey, in particular, had a huge impact in the batting department. In the 63 innings he has played for the CSK, he has scored Oa whopping 2213 runs at an average close to 41. Mr.Cricket had the best score of 116* and was even the Orange Cap holder in the sixth edition of the IPL where he amassed a total of 733 runs.

On the other hand, Matthew Hayden had a similar influence on CSK. Hayden was part of the CSK since its inception and was part of the side for the first 3 seasons. Hayden scored a total of 1117 in just 34 innings at an average of 34.90. Hayden was even the Orange Cap holder in the 2nd edition of the IPL where he scored a total of 572 runs in South Africa.

Middle Order: Suresh Raina and S Badrinath

Suresh Raina the leading scorer in the history of IPL

There was really no debate over the number 3 position. It had to be Mr. IPL Suresh Raina. Suresh Raina, the leading scorer in the history of IPL, has been monumental for the CSK in all the years for them. Raina has never really had an off-season till date and has contributed in all the 3 departments for the men in yellow.

Raina is even the most capped CSK player ahead of MS Dhoni at 173 games. Suresh has scored a king-sized 5035 runs at an average of 35. His strike-rate is also close to 141 in this format. Handy with the ball, Raina even has 36 wickets to his name at a decent economy of 7 runs per over.

While the number 4 choice in Subramaniam Badrinath may raise a few eyebrows, it will become quite evident once we look at the numbers he has generated over the years. Faf du Plessis had to miss out, unfortunately, owing to maintain the quota of 4 foreigners in the side.

Badrinath is the fourth most capped CSKian with 114 games to his name. He has performed consistently whenever opportunities were presented to him and the number of games he has represented the CSK side is a testament to the same. Badrinath has scored a total of 1667 runs at an average of 28. He is the fifth highest run scorer for the CSK, only behind Raina, Dhoni, Hussey and Murali Vijay.

Lower Middle Order: MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, and Albie Morkel

Greatness would be an understatement to describe Dhoni’s contribution to the Chennai based side

The number 5 and 6 are the most obvious and easiest spots to fill in this whole list. MS Dhoni bats at number 5 in this prodigious combined XI list. Greatness would be an understatement to describe Dhoni’s contribution to the Chennai based side. The former Indian Captain has won 3 IPL trophies and 2 Champions League titles in just 9 years.

Dhoni is the second leading run scorer for the side despite coming into bat at lower down the order. He has scored a total of 3923 runs at a tremendous average of 40.44 Dhoni’s strike rate too touches a massive 140.15 in the tournament.

Dhoni has also effected a total of 117 dismissals, including a record 33 stumpings. His dismissal rate is a staggering 0.688 per innings.

The adopted son of Chennai, MS Dhoni is the first man of this team and one can undoubtedly call CSK as Dhoni’s team.

Bravo is the second highest wicket-taker for the men in yellow

At number 6, we have the champion from the Caribbean - Dwayne Bravo. Bravo has been phenomenal for the Chennai side from the time he was bought in 2011. Since then, he has been a regular feature in the playing XI and just as Raina has contributed in all the 3 departments of the game.

In the 93 games, he has scored a total of 1127 runs (63 innings) at a healthy average of 30.45. Bravo’s striking abilities are also superb and a strike rate of 137.43 is a testimony to the same. Bravo has also affected 111 wickets and usually bowls at crucial junctures of the game. He is the second highest wicket-taker for the Men in Yellow and still is one of the key players in the ongoing 12th edition of the league.

At number 7, we have Albie Morkel from South Africa. Morkel has performed really well for CSK in the 6 years he has played for the Chennai side. Morkel is the 3rd highest wicket taker of CSK, bagging 92 wickets at a healthy average of 25 and a decent economy of 8 runs per over.

Morkel has even performed extraordinarily as a finisher for CSK. He has scored a total of 909 runs in 70 innings. He will be the second fast bowling all-rounder in this line-up alongside Bravo.

Spinners: Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin

Jadeja and Ashwin have been expeditious in the years they have played for CSK.

For numbers 8 and 9, the spin duo of Indian Test cricket team pick themselves. There really was no competition for these two places. Both have been expeditious in the years they have played for CSK. Ravindra Jadeja is the 4th leading wicket-taker for CSK, taking 78 wickets at an average of 26.66 and an economy of 7.89, with the best figures of 5 for 16. In the batting department, Jadeja has scored a total of 921 runs at an average close to 21.

Coming to Ravichandran Ashwin, He is the leading wicket-taker for CSK till date, bagging 120 wickets at a superb economy of 6.66 and a healthy average of 23.70. Ashwin has been part of the CSK side from years 2009 to 2015.

The duo of Ashwin and Jadeja is undoubtedly intimidating for any opposition.

Fast bowlers: Ashish Nehra and Mohit Sharma

Ashish Nehra has been phenomenal during his time at Chennai.

The pacers spot was difficult to fill as there were quite a few good fast bowlers who have played for the Chennai side. One has to zero in on Ashish Nehra and Mohit Sharma

Ashish Nehra has been phenomenal during his time at Chennai. In just 25 games, he has taken 40 wickets at a fabulous average of 18.60 and an impressive economy of 7.75 runs per over

Doug Bollinger is one notable omission to this side. He has 55 wickets in 41 games at an incredible average of 19.78.

The only reason Bollinger misses out is to maintain the quota of four foreigners in the squad. Bollinger plays in the XI if Murali Vijay plays in place of Hayden at the top.

For number 11, we have the Indian bowler, Mohit Sharma. Mohit has been exceptional for CSK from the years 2013 to 2015. Sharma is the 4th highest wicket-taker for the Chennai side and in the 57 games, he has taken a total of 68 wickets at a healthy average of 22 and economy of fewer than 8 runs per over.

Final XI:

Mike Hussey (F), Matthew Hayden (F), Suresh Raina, Subramaniam Badrinath, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Dwayne Bravo (F), Albie Morkel (F), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Mohit Sharma

*F indicates the four foreigners of the side

Honorable Mentions: Doug Bollinger, Dwayne Smith, Faf du Plessis, Murali Vijay, Shadab Jakati