IPL 2008 Final: A look at CSK XI

Muttiah Muralidharan

#8 Manpreet Gony

Manpreet Gony was the captain's trump card with the ball that season. Though he was a new face, CSK took the risk of giving the youngster enough time to prove his worth. Gony ended up being the team's joint leading wicket-taker that season with 17 wickets from 16 games.

Manpreet Gony picked one wicket during the final; the first wicket of the innings. He finished his spell with 30 runs conceded at an economy rate of 7.50.

The pacer from Punjab was a promising figure in his early days with Super Kings. He made his international in less than a month from the IPL final, but couldn't keep up with the race as he couldn't play more than 2 matches. In the league, Gony has represented Deccan Chargers and Kings XI Punjab and is now a senior player at the Punjab domestic team.

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#9 Lakshmipathy Balaji

One of the best fast bowlers from the Southern state of Tamil Nadu had the grace to represent the Chennai club in the initial season itself. Balaji was Dhoni's go-to option at crucial times. He played 9 matches in the season where he picked 11 wickets.

However, the final is not much of great memory to the pacer. His figures stood at 42 runs in 4 overs, without any wickets. He was the most expensive bowler under Dhoni's roof that night.

The 37-year-old was part of Kolkata Knight Riders between 2011 and 2013 and later joined Kings XI Punjab in 2014. He played his final international match in Indian colours in 2012 and called time on his career after the 2015 season of Tamil Nadu Premier League.

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#10 Muttiah Muralitharan

The biggest player that was fielded by Chennai Super Kings on the night of the final was Muttiah Muralitharan. The right-arm off breaker was the team's trusted presence until 2010. During the 2008 season, he played 15 games and picked up 11 wickets.

Muralitharan had a crucial role in Dhoni's plans for final. He bowled his 4 overs conceding 39 runs and picking up the crucial wickets of Shane Watson and Mohammed Kaif.

The Sri Lankan player later was part of Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Royal Challengers Bangalore, in IPL. Being one of Sri Lanka's best players, Muralitharan ended his international career after the 2011 World Cup, after playing 350 matches for the national team. He is currently part of Sunrisers Hyderabad, serving as the bowling coach.

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#11 Makhaya Ntini

Makhaya Ntini was CSK's opening bowler on the night of the final. The South African pacer was a regular figure in Chennai's maiden IPL campaign, appearing in 9 matches and picking up 7 wickets.

At the final, Ntini opened the bowling as usual, when Rajasthan Royal came out to chase a target of 164 in the 20 overs. He completed his 4 overs, conceding 21 runs at an economy of above 5. The fierce short balls that flew past Royals' batsmen was one factor that took the game to the very last ball.

Makhaya Ntini has never played IPL since and was active in international cricket until 2011. The latest colours in which the 41-year-old appeared was the role of Zimbabwe National Team's coach, till 2018.

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