Is there any doubt about which team is the most consistent one in the IPL? Chennai Super Kings have never failed to qualify for the playoffs. They have made it to the IPL finals for 8 times in 10 seasons. They have the second highest number of trophies in the IPL, just one behind the current Champions, Mumbai Indians. CSK started their campaign with players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina. They later on bought players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo. These are some core players around which CSK build their squad every year. The players have 100% loyalty towards their team and have become an immense part of the CSK family. The fans of CSK are spread all over India and the players never fail to impress them.
We are here with a series of IPL Dream Teams wherein we will be making All Time XIs of the current eight teams in IPL. During this venture, I am being assisted by Raunit Raj and Amit Vikram Singh who have immense knowledge in the field of cricket. We have gone through every player of each team and tried to pick the best of the lot after considering their statistics and performances for the team. We started with Mumbai Indians then had a look at Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals. Now we bring to you the All Time XI of Chennai Super Kings.
This team was one of the easiest to make as we had a lot of obvious choices. CSK have also recruited the least amount of players among all IPL teams and retained services of almost every important player.
*Statistics of the players are only for their Chennai Super Kings career (both in IPL and Champions League)
1. Mathew Hayden ✈️ (2008-10)
CSK had the services of many great openers. Players like Dwayne Smith and Shane Watson have opened the innings for the team. They have all played around 30 matches but Hayden leads them in the run chart. The Orange Cap winner in the second season of the IPL is our first opener.
Innings: 34 Runs: 1117 Average: 34.9 S/R*: 135.55
*S/R - Strike Rate
2. Murali Vijay (2009-13, 2018- )
Vijay had been one of the key performers of the team when they won the title back in 2010. He has scored a couple of centuries for them. Vijay was the highest run scorer of the Champions League T20 in the year 2010. He has shown some great batting skills for the team and finds a place above Ambati Rayudu.
Innings: 86 Runs: 2173 Average: 26.5 S/R: 124.67
3. Suresh Raina (2008- )
Raina is also known as Mr. IPL. He is just an obvious choice here. The love for Raina is at another level and is known as 'Chinna Thala' by his CSK fans.
Innings: 184 Runs: 5369 Average: 33.98 S/R: 139.38
4. Micheal Hussey ✈️ (2008-13, 2015)
Hussey has played most of his CSK career at the opening spot, but in this team he needs to come down the order. The Aussie is the third highest run getter of the franchise and has also won the Orange Cap award in 2013. With inclusion of Mr. Cricket, Faf Du Plessis misses the cut.
Innings: 63 Runs: 2213 Average: 40.98 S/R: 122.8
5. MS Dhoni (c) (wk) (2008- )
Dhoni and CSK are two inseparable words. I can never imagine a CSK team without MSD. He has not only led the team by example but his calm and composure on the field wins everyone's heart. Thala is definitely one of the biggest reasons for CSK's success.
Innings: 56 Runs: 1456 Average: 28.54 S/R: 132.84
6. Albie Morkel ✈️ (2008-13)
Morkel was a key member of the team during their first six seasons. Morkel had a couple of responsibilities on his shoulder. He used to finish the innings in style plus bowl some decent overs. He will be a perfect option at No. 6.
Matches: 92 S/R: 142.25 Wickets: 91
7. Dwayne Bravo ✈️ (2011- )
DJ Bravo is one of the best all rounders of the game. His bowling in T20 cricket is world class plus he can bat anywhere in the order. For CSK, he is the second highest wicket taker and has won the Purple Cap award in 2013 and 2015. Bravo's fielding and energy just adds to the team strength.
Matches: 103 S/R: 136.24 Wickets: 118
8. Ravindra Jadeja (2012- )
The batting line up of this team is just getting better and better. Jadeja at 8. Jadeja is a fine hitter of the ball and a very good spinner. He is probably one of the best fielders in the game right now.
Matches: 116 S/R: 130.22 Wickets: 90
9. Ravichandran Ashwin (2009-15)
Another obvious choice in this team. Anna has so much variety in his bowling that makes him a good bowler in any format of the game. He made quite an impact on the selectors of the national team with his performance with CSK back in 2009 and 2010. He is the highest wicket taker of the franchise.
Matches: 121 Wickets: 120 E/R*: 6.66
*E/R - Economy Rate
10. Deepak Chahar (2018- )
The young Indian pacer was recruited in the team while they were making a comeback after a two year suspension. However, Deepak Chahar has been so impressive in these two years that he makes it to the team above Ashish Nehra and Laxmipati Balaji. Chahar can swing the ball and be dangerous for batsmen. He was even a key factor in the team when they won the title in 2018.
Matches: 29 Wickets: 32 E/R: 7.4
11. Mohit Sharma (2013-15, 2019)
Sharma is one of the most successful pace bowlers in the team. He has an excellent average of 22 and picks wickets at regular intervals. He is also a winner of the Purple Cap award in 2014.
Matches: 58 Wickets: 69 E/R: 7.95
Do tell us if you have had any other player in mind who might have found a place in the XI. This is the last article of our IPL Dream Team Series. We are overwhelmed by the response of the series. Thank You for supporting us!
- Kshitij
Ashish Nehra could have been here! Good Team overall.
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