Ambati Rayudu snubs Faf du Plessis, Matthew Hayden, names Australia great as CSK's greatest opener

Former Chennai Super Kings batter Ambati Rayudu recently ranked his top five greatest opening batters for CSK in IPL history.

Rayudu played for CSK in 6 seasons from 2018 to 2023, winning three IPL trophies with them in the process. With 1932 runs in 90 matches for the franchise, he is their sixth-highest run getter of all time in the league.

Talking to ESPNCricinfo, Rayudu was asked to rank the five players he felt were CSK's greatest openers of all time in the IPL.

"He could adapt to different positions" - Ambati Rayudu on his No. 5 pick

Rayudu picked South African Faf du Plessis for the fifth spot. Normally a middle-order batter, du Plessis took over the opening spot for CSK whenever asked of him.

Having joined CSK in 2011, du Plessis stayed till 2021 and was a part of three title-winning teams for CSK. Of du Plessis' 86 IPL innings for CSK, he was an opener for 59 of them.

du Plessis is CSK's second-highest run-getter of all time in the opening position. His crowning glory at CSK was inarguably in 2021 when he finished second on the Orange Cap table with 633 runs and helped CSK win the title after a disappointing season in 2020.

Explaining his choice, Rayudu said, "He's been very instrumental in CSK's success over the years. He's been quite versatile; he could adapt to different conditions. He always played a role that the team needed of him."

"Batting with him was quite special for me" - Ambati Rayudu on his No. 4 pick

At No. 4, Ambati Rayudu chose former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson. Watson spent only the last three years of his IPL career at CSK after joining them in 2018.

Asked to transition from his middle-order role to an opener in 2018, Watson had an immediate impact for CSK. That year, he made 555 runs with 2 centuries, including one in the final, as CSK won the IPL title in their comeback year from a 2-year ban.

An injury to Faf du Plessis meant that Ambati Rayudu was asked to partner with Watson at the top that year. Rayudu too made a century against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the league stage that year.

Watson wasn't quite at his best in the next two years, but made a memorable 80 on a bloody knee in the final of the 2019 season, which CSK lost to the Mumbai Indians by one run.

On Watson, Ambati Rayudu said, "He has played for a limited period of time for CSK but had a huge impact. He had some memorable seasons, he had some amazing match winning knocks. Especially batting with him in 2018 was quite special for me and we really bonded over the opening pair."

"I always admired his batting" - Ambati Rayudu on his No. 3 pick

For No. 3, Rayudu decided to go with former Indian opener Murali Vijay. Vijay and Rayudu played together for CSK for three seasons until 2020, but Vijay's best for CSK came in his first stint in the early 2010s.

Vijay played for CSK between 2009 and 2013 in his first stint and played many memorable knocks. Against Rajasthan Royals in 2010, he made a 127 that boosted his case for the T20 World Cup later that year.

CSK completed a memorable comeback from the bottom half of the table to win the title that year, and Vijay finished as their second-highest run-getter of the season.

In 2011, CSK successfully defended their IPL title, and Vijay was at the forefront. In the final against RCB, he made a memorable 95 that won him the Player of the Match award.

In 2012, he was again at the forefront of CSK, making their third consecutive IPL final. In the second qualifier, he made a stunning century against the Delhi Capitals to put CSK in their third straight final.

During this early 2010s period, Ambati Rayudu was not associated with CSK but was a part of their arch-rivals, the Mumbai Indians.

On Murali Vijay, he said, "He [Vijay] has been someone who put the openers in the IPL on the map back then. He used to take on the fast bowlers and his signature pickup shot over mid-wicket was quite special. Even though I was playing for MI, [I], always admired his batting. It's quite nostalgic with him and all his swagger walking out in yellow against us and playing some beautiful knocks. His contributions for CSK will always remain on the highest pedestal."

Also Read: Why MS Dhoni stays away on match days? CSK coach reveals truth and comeback plan

"He will turn it on for CSK and for himself" - Ambati Rayudu on his No. 2 pick

At the second position, Ambati Rayudu went with the current CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Gaikwad joined the CSK squad in 2019 and made his debut in 2020. Since then, he has risen to become CSK's most important batsman over the years and eventually their captain in 2024.

Gaikwad impressed in his first season by making three fifties in a row, but 2021 revealed a new aspect to his game. Having started the season as an uncapped player, he won the Orange Cap as CSK won the IPL title. Gaikwad became only the second player to win the Orange Cap and the IPL title in the same season.

When CSK won the title once again in 2023, Gaikwad was their second-highest run-scorer in that season.

Right now, no player has more IPL runs for CSK as an opener than Ruturaj Gaikwad. In 2026, he has struggled for form, making just 178 runs in 8 matches at an average of 25 and a strike rate of 121. In his captaincy, CSK have been struggling in the bottom half of the table.

Ambati Rayudu spoke about Gaikwad's rise from an uncapped player to becoming CSK's captain.

"As a youngster, walking into a side which had such accomplished seniors as well as match winners was not easy. And to cement his place and earn the respect of the entire squad and eventually become the captain because of his performances and the kind of calmness he brings to the opening batting. He's quite special. He is having a hard season so far, but I'm sure he's going to turn it on for CSK and for himself", he said.

Ambati Rayudu crowns Australian legend as CSK's greatest opener

For his No. 1 pick, Ambati Rayudu decided to go with a former Australia legend who has been dubbed "Mr. Cricket" - Michael Hussey.

Hussey enjoyed some very productive years at CSK right from 2008 to 2013. He took a detour to the Mumbai Indians in 2014 but returned to CSK in 2015.

In his first-ever IPL match in 2008, Hussey scored a century against the Punjab Kings while batting at No. 3. Brendon McCullum is the only other player to score a century in his first IPL match.

Hussey did not transition to opening until 2011, but had his crowning glory in 2013. CSK finished runners-up to MI in that season, but Hussey won the Orange Cap that year.

Post his retirement, Hussey has been serving as CSK's batting coach since 2018.

Ambati Rayudu talked about Hussey's impact as both player and coach for CSK.

"He is someone who has played in conditions that are not easy at all. Pairing up with Haydos [Matthew Hayden] as well as Monk [Murali Vijay] during those years and playing some amazing knocks for CSK. Playing some match-winning knocks and also winning the Orange Cap. For me, Mike Hussey will be number 1 not just because of his batting, but also because of his coaching, in terms of getting all the other openers ready for CSK after him, so he's quite special," he concluded.

Stats of players picked in this ranking

The five players mentioned by Ambati Rayudu in this chat also happen to be the top five run scorers for CSK in IPL history as openers, although not quite in that order.

The following table lists the stats of these five players as an opener for CSK in the IPL.

Greatest CSK opener of all time is... pic.twitter.com/nSU57Who5l

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