Former Chennai Super Kings stalwart Suresh Raina has announced his all-time CSK XI, but the surprising exclusions of Ruturaj Gaikwad and MS Dhoni have caught fans’ attention.
Raina, who played for CSK from 2008 to 2015 and then again from 2018 to 2021, was an integral part of the franchise’s success, including the team’s fourth IPL title in 2021. A deputy to Dhoni for many years, Raina also captained CSK in Dhoni’s absence before retiring from Indian cricket in 2022.
Raina’s Picks
Opening the innings, Raina chose Murali Vijay and Matthew Hayden. Vijay amassed 1708 runs for CSK, while Hayden, winner of the Orange Cap in IPL 2009, scored 1107 runs in just 32 matches.
At number three, Raina selected Michael Hussey, who scored 1768 runs and now serves as CSK’s batting coach. Raina slotted himself at number four, recalling his own 4687 runs in yellow. He also included Subramaniam Badrinath (1441 runs) and all-rounder Albie Morkel (827 runs and 76 wickets).
The bowling lineup featured Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Lakshmipathy Balaji, and Mohit Sharma, with Muttiah Muralitharan chosen as the Impact Player.
Notable Omissions
While many CSK legends made the cut, Raina notably left out Ruturaj Gaikwad, one of the team’s most consistent openers in recent seasons. Even more surprising was the absence of MS Dhoni, under whom CSK won five IPL titles and who continues to lead the franchise.
Despite the omissions, the XI showcases a blend of CSK’s most influential players from its golden years, many of whom played pivotal roles in shaping the franchise’s legacy.
