Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the joint-most-successful team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) along with their arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI). Their captain MS Dhoni has delivered five trophies to them. In the upcoming season, they will look to retain the trophy and surpass MI to become the team with the most titles in the cash-rich league.
CSK’s biggest strength has been batting since the tournament’s inception in 2008. Batting legends such as Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, and Faf du Plessis were key members of the Yellow Army and they made heavy contributions to make the team champions several times. With the 2024 IPL edition just a few weeks away, it’s time to revisit the best knocks of the defending champions.
Here are the CSK’s five best batting performances of all time in IPL:
5. Michael Hussey’s 116 against Punjab Kings, 2008
Michael Hussey played seven seasons for CSK between 2008 to 2015. In those seven years, he produced several solid knocks for the team and emerged as one of the most successful batters in the league. Back in 2008, when CSK played their debut IPL game against Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, the Aussie legend made CSK's maiden league game memorable with his extraordinary knock.
On the batting surface of Mohali, the southpaw guided his team to a convincing 33-run win with his unbeaten 116-run innings off just 54 deliveries. Riding on his brilliant knock, CSK posted 240 runs on the board which eventually led to the defeat of the hosts. Hussey also received the Player of the Match award for his stunning performance.
4. Murali Vijay’s 127 against Rajasthan Royals, 2010
CSK won their first trophy in 2010 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. The Men in Yellow’s scintillating campaign still resides in their fans’ minds. During the league round, Super Kings recorded their highest score of 246 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The match went to the hosts comfortably by 23 runs due to Murali Vijay’s unprecedented 127-run innings off just 56 deliveries.
Batting first after winning the toss, CSK skipper Dhoni elected to bat first and Vijay came heavily on bowlers along with his opening partner Matthew Hayden. The Aussie departed after scoring 34 (21) but Vijay continued his onslaught against the Men in Pink and helped his team team put up the massive score on the board.
Chasing the humongous total, the Royals displayed courage with Naman Ojha’s rapid 94 off 55 and Shane Watson’s fierce 60 off 25 but eventually, fell 23 runs short due to CSK's tight bowling. Vijay was given the Player of the Match award for his excellent batting effort.
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3. Suresh Raina’s 73 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2011
CSK is the only side along with MI to retain the title in IPL. Back in 2011, Dhoni and his men lifted the trophy, beating formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Before facing each other in the final, both teams met each other in the first playoff.
In the playoff game, Super Kings routed Bangalore by six wickets and Raina played an instrumental role in the victory. Chasing a competitive total of 176, CSK lost their openers Vijay and Hussey early but Raina held his nerves and took RCB’s bowling unit to the cleaners. The southpaw stood at the crease until the end and took his team home with his unbeaten 73 off 50.
2. Murali Vijay’s 113 against Delhi Capitals, 2012
CSK failed to win the trophy three consecutive times in 2012 but during the competition, they played an aggressive brand of cricket and concluded their journey as runners-up. In the second qualifier, Murali Vijay did wonders with his bat against Delhi Capitals (DC) and helped Chennai register an 86-run win.
Winning the toss, DC captain Virender Sehwag elected to field first on Chennai’s batting surface, and taking advantage of the conditions, Vijay assaulted bowlers and made Delhi’s skipper regret his decision. He produced an incredible knock of 113 off 58 from his bat and helped his side amass 222 runs on the board. It was the second ton of his IPL career.
Pursuing the enormous target, DC collapsed under pressure and got folded on 136 in 16.5 overs. Vijay’s amazing innings made him the recipient of the Player of the Match award at the end of the day.
1. Shane Watson’s 117* against Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2018
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson made his debut for CSK in 2018 and made a superb contribution with his bat to help the team clinch its third title. The veteran notched up 555 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 154.59 and ended up as the fifth-highest run-getter in the competition. In the final at the Wankhede Stadium, he played the best knock of his IPL career and became the recipient of the Player of the Match on a huge day.
Before the start of the game, CSK skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and invited Hyderabad to bat first. The Orange Army posted 178 runs on the board, riding on Yusuf Pathan’s unbeaten 45 off 25 and captain Kane Williamson’s 47 off 36.
Following a challenging target of 179, CSK lost in-form Faf du Plessis in the fourth over of the game but Watson showed the nerves of steel and shattered the confidence of the 2016 champions, with his unbeaten 117 off 57. Riding on his remarkable knock, Super Kings chased down the total in just 18.3 overs.
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