Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu kicked out of Suresh Raina's All-Time CSK XI

Former Team India middle-order batter Suresh Raina revealed his all-time Chennai Super Kings (CSK) XI during a podcast. Notably, Raina picked four overseas players in his CSK playing XI but didn’t include opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is the current captain of the team and won the Orange Cap in 2021.

Raina had a long association with the Super Kings. The left-handed batter played for CSK from 2008 to 2015 before returning in 2018 for a three-season stint. He was part of the MS Dhoni-led team’s four title wins. Raina also served as Dhoni’s deputy and captained the Chennai-based team in his absence.

Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu, Ruturaj Gaikwad Left Out of Suresh Raina’s All-Time Chennai Super Kings XI

In a conversation with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube, Raina revealed his all-time Chennai Super Kings XI. He went with Murali Vijay and Matthew Hayden as openers, followed by Michael Hussey at No. 3.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Raina placed himself at No. 4 to anchor the middle order, while Subramaniam Badrinath and Albie Morkel occupied the No. 5 and No. 6 positions, respectively.

Vijay scored 1,708 runs in 70 matches for CSK, while Hayden amassed 1,107 runs in just 32 games, including an Orange Cap in 2009. Hussey is CSK’s current batting coach. Raina remains the team’s leading run-scorer with 4,687 runs in 176 games at an average of 32.32 and a strike rate of 136.93.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a key player for the Chennai Super Kings. He was named captain before the IPL 2024 season. Ruturaj has scored 2,502 runs in 71 matches for the franchise, including two centuries. He is the fourth-highest run-scorer in CSK history.

Suresh Raina Names Muralitharan as Impact Player in All-Time CSK XI

Suresh Raina included Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Lakshmipathy Balaji, and Mohit Sharma in his all-time Chennai Super Kings XI. He named Muttiah Muralitharan as the Impact Player.

Only Dhoni and Jadeja are still active with the Chennai Super Kings. Ashwin has retired from the IPL and is expected to feature in overseas leagues.

Suresh Raina's All-Time CSK XI: MS Dhoni, Murali Vijay, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, Subramaniam Badrinath, Albie Morkel, Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, LP Balaji, Mohit Sharma, Muttiah Muralitharan (Impact Player)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shubhankar Mishra (@theshubhankarmishra)

Shadab Jakati Didn't Get The Recognition - Suresh Raina

The cricketer-turned-commentator stated that Shadab Jakati made crucial contributions with the ball for Chennai Super Kings, calling him an underrated performer. Raina said that Jakati was important during the team’s successful campaigns from 2010 to 2013.

"I think the X-factor Shadab Jakati was; he didn’t get the recognition. He performed very well when we won in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. Whatever we qualified, he did exceptionally well,” he added.

Jakati represented Chennai Super Kings between 2009 and 2012. He took 45 wickets in 50 games at an economy rate of 7.75. The left-arm spinner was part of the CSK squads that secured consecutive IPL titles in 2010 and 2011.

Also read: KL Rahul's KKR move blocked!! Delhi Capitals' official comes in the way