IPL: CSK all-time greatest XI in league history

Chennai Super Kings. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are by far one of the most successful teams in the Indian Premier League. The franchise was founded in 2008 and is owned by the India Cements company. The team’s home matches are played at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Led by MS Dhoni since its inception, CSK has won the IPL title five times in the IPL seasons- 2010,2011,2018, 2021, and 2023, respectively. The team has a strong and loyal fan base known as the “Yellow Army,” which passionately supports CSK in every season of the IPL.

Apart from MS Dhoni, there have been a plethora of players who have done well for the CSK franchise and with that in mind, we present the CSK All-time greatest XI in IPL history.

Here is the CSK all-time greatest XI in league history:

1. Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay was the OG of the CSK team. He replaced Stephen Fleming as the opener after the veteran New Zealand retired from the game and became CSK’s coach. He overall played 70 matches in two stints for CSK (2009-2013, 2018-20) and scored a total of 1’708 with an average of 25.87 and a strike rate of 124.67. 

His highest score was 127 runs, which came against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2010, which helped CSK post 246 runs, their highest score in IPL. Vijay was once the go-to man for flying starts in the CSK team, but he was let go ahead of IPL 2014. While he did return in IPL 2018, he didn’t get many chances and even his impact wasn’t like it used to be.

Also check: CSK Team SWOT Analysis 2024

2. Mike Hussey

Australian Mike Hussey played 49 innings for IPL (2008-2013 and 2015), scoring 1’768 runs at an average of 43.12 and strike rate of 123.63. Hussey was the first batter from Chennai Super Kings to score a century in the IPL. Notably, Hussey achieved a remarkable feat in the IPL 2008 itself.

The Australian legend was excellent with the bat at the top for MS Dhoni and co. and was amazing in the field as well. Hussey brought calmness amongst the storm for CSK and was a trusted lieutenant for MS Dhoni.

3. Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Chinna Thala or Suresh Raina, played his entire IPL career, barring the two seasons with Gujarat Lions, for Chennai Super Kings. The vice-captain of the side, Raina played 176 matches, scoring 4’687 runs with one century and 33 fifties. His average was 32.32 and his strike rate was 136.88.

On top of that, he was the top fielder for the side anywhere in the field and even captained the CSK team a handful of times. His knock of 87 in a playoff game in IPL 2014 qualifier 1 is considered to be one of the top five best knocks ever in the league.

Also check: CSK Squad 2024 Player List

4. Shane Watson

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), 2018 Final. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Shane Watson came to CSK in the later part of his career and still played 43 matches in which he scored 1’252 runs. He averaged 30.53 and the strike rate was 136.83. He scored 2 centuries for CSK and 7 fifties.

Watson’s best knock came in the form of an unbeaten ton in the IPL 2018 final, which was the year, CSK returned to the IPL after their two-year ban. Thereafter, Shane Watson continued till IPL 2020, after which he called time on his career.

5. MS Dhoni (C-WK)

MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

MS Dhoni is the heart and soul of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise. Bought as the most expensive player in the inaugural IPL 2008 auction, N Srinivasan immediately made him captain and granted him unlimited powers when it came to the cricketing side of the team. And MS Dhoni replayed the faith by taking CSK to the final in 2008 itself.

Later, Dhoni won the title in 2010,2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023, to equal Rohit Sharma’s five IPL wins as captain for Mumbai Indians. At the age of 42, MS Dhoni will play for CSK in IPL 2024 again. Talking about his record, Dhoni has played 220 matches in IPL for CSK, scoring 4508 runs at a strike rate of 137.48 and best score of 84*.

Also check: Best Predicted Playing XI of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024

6. Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne-Bravo. (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

West Indian Dwayne Bravo was MS Dhoni’s go-to death-over bowler. The mercurial all-rounder made 1’004 runs for CSK. Besides, with the ball in hand, the ace bowler took 140 wickets at an economy of 8.36.

Notably, his best bowling figures during his career have been 4/42. Dwayne Bravo was also an excellent fielder anywhere in the field and also provided some suggestions to MS Dhoni as well, using his experience of captaining the West Indies team. He is now the bowling coach of the CSK franchise. 

7. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra-Jadeja. (Photo Source: X/Twitter)

Ravindra Jadeja joined CSK in 2011 and won the IPL the same year for the franchise. In 158 matches, he has 125 wickets for the Yellow Army with a best bowling of 5/16. During this long journey, the ace all-rounder had an economy of 7.53.

Besides, with the bat, Ravindra Jadeja has 1’630 runs at a strike rate of 135.15 and best score of 62*. Moreover, who can forget his ‘sword-like’ celebration whenever he happens to bring a remarkable fifty for Chennai-based franchise? Jadeja has also captained CSK in IPL 2022 and has been a big pillar on which CSK has succeeded thus far.

Also check: CSK Released and Retained Players List for IPL 2024

8. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Ace spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin had made an excellent partnership with Ravindra Jadeja for CSK for 4 years. He was one of the shining armours for skipper MS Dhoni and won a lot of matches for the Chennai Super Kings along with Ravindra Jadeja. In 97 matches for CSK, Ashwin took 90 wickets at an economy of 6.45.

Ashwin’s best bowling was 3/16 and he also contributed with the bat when the situation arrived. However, when CSK returned in IPL 2018, the franchise chose not to bring Ashwin back into the fold. The office currently plays for Rajasthan Royals in IPL.

9. Imran Tahir

MS Dhoni and Imran Tahir. (Photo Source: Twitter)

South African talismanic leg spinner Imran Tahir played for CSK from 2018-2021. During his stint with the franchise, he went on to pick up 35 wickets in 27 matches. In these games, Tahir had an economy of 7.11 along with the best bowling figures of 4/12.

Interestingly enough, Imran Tahir won the IPL in 2018 and 2021 with the Chennai franchise and was one of the most attacking bowlers ever employed by MS Dhoni. He played a huge role in establishing CSK as a potent force once again after they returned from the two-year ban.

10. Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

Pacer Deepak Chahar started his IPL career for Rising Pune Super Giants and impressed MS Dhoni a lot. As a result, when Chennai Super Kings returned to the IPL fold in 2018, Chahar was bought by the franchise in the auction at the skipper’s insistence. Thus far, Chahar has played 68 games for CSK and picked 71 wickets.

During these appearances, the pacer’s economy has been 7.84. Besides, Deepak Chahar’s best bowling figures read 4/13. Though he missed the IPL 2023 with a back injury, fans can expect Chahar to come back roaring in the IPL 2024.

Also check: 3 Teams that could face CSK in IPL 2024 Final

11. Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma. (Photo Source: IANS)

The veteran Indian pacer Mohit Sharma played 48 matches for CSK in the IPL and picked up 58 wickets from 2013-2019. His best bowling figures were 4/14 and economy of 7.81. Mohit was a prime example of how well MS Dhoni identifies talent and then brings out the best in them.

Fascinatingly enough, after leaving Chennai Super Kings, pacer Mohit Sharma failed to show that brilliance for a long time. However, after he was surprisingly called up by the Gujarat Titans’ head coach,  Ashish Nehra,  he made a grand comeback in IPL 2023 and played a key role in getting the side their maiden IPL title in their debut season itself.