5 Greatest CSK Batters in IPL History

CSK is arguably one of the most successful franchises of Indian Premiere League. Although a great amount of this success is attributed to Dhoni’s captaincy and his smart tactics, however batters also played an important role in CSK’s triumph. Here is a list of five greatest CSK batters of all time.

#5 Murali Vijay

In Indian Premier League while he was with CSK, Murali Vijay proved to be one of the team’s most impressive openers. He played for CSK from 2009 to 2013 and showed himself to be an integral part of the team’s success. For CSK, Vijay’s scoring abilities at the top of the order were perfect for the IPL. The player later returned to the franchise in 2019, but he played only five matches for them.

The 2010 season was particularly productive for him, as he scored 458 runs in 14 matches at an average of 35.23, and he struck at a strike rate of 156.97. One of his most important contributions was scoring 95 runs off 52 balls in the final of the IPL against Mumbai Indians. In all, he scored 1,708 runs for CSk at an average of 25.87 and a strike rate of 125.12.

#4 Michael Hussey

Another opener who contributed to CSK’s success during his stint at the franchise was the left-handed Australian, Michael Hussey. During CSK’s first game in the inaugural IPL, Mr. Cricket scored an unbeaten 116 and was in full flow. His 11 fifties and a century helped CSK to its early success and he was a vital member of the team.

In the 6th edition of IPL, Hussey was the leading run-scorer for CSK and won the Orange cap. He played a crucial role in carrying CSK to the final of IPL that year. Across his career for CSK, he scored 1,768 runs with an average of 42.09 and a strike rate of 123.63.

#3 Faf du Plessis

The former South African captain has been an pivotal of CSK’s success over the course of years. He joined the franchise in 2011. Faf was given the role of the anchor in the team, and he did complete justice to his part. With an average of just over 35 and strike rate ranging in 130’s, the South African batter holds one end while others can accelerate from the other end.

During his time with Dhoni’s CSK, Faf has scored a century alongside 16 fifties. He has played an instrumental role in CSK’s incredible success. Moreover, he is one of those players who is reliable. He has been an opener and a finisher and has been a great contributor to team’s success.

#2 MS Dhoni

A legend among cricketers, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has played an integral role in making Chennai Super Kings proud in the IPL. In the list, he is the only player who is still with CSK after being a key player for them since their inception. Providing a lower-order finish to matches, Captain Cool has led the team to victory on numerous occasions.

With 4,404 runs, Dhoni has averaged 40.40 and struck out 136.68 for CSK in the IPL. There have been 23 fifties and one century for the team in his career. As a CSK player, he has exhibited trademark cool-headedness and power-hitting that have made him a defining force to reckon with.

#1 Suresh Raina

The Man, the Myth, the Legend. There will never be another like him in IPL history. Suresh Raina was truly the greatest batter for Chennai Super Kings in IPL history. In terms of performance for the Indian National Team, he was quite impressive, but when it came to Chennai Super Kings, he was truly exceptional. Though he retired, CSK will always consider him a legend.

Known as an expert against both spin and pace bowling, Raina was particularly effective during the middle overs of the match. He is also said to be ahead of the curve in terms of batting style for his explosive range. With 38 fifties and 1 century, the ‘Chinna Thala’ of CSK scored 4,687 runs at an average of 32.32 and a strike rate of 136.88.