With just a few days to go for the opening match of IPL 2018, we have been looking at some of the best and most notable moments from the last decade of India’s biggest cricket carnival.
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CSK will face MI on April 8th, as the yellow army will return to the IPL at the home of the reigning IPL champions. While this CSK team will try and bring glory to their city year, let’s look at the first ever playing XI of CSK back in 2008.
OPENERS
Parthiv Patel
Now a veteran of the game, Parthiv Patel has been a journey man in the IPL. The keeper- batsman used to open the innings fort CSK, as he would try and guide the innings and after providing some impetus at the top.
Matthew Hayden
The burly Aussie did not stay for long with CSK, but made a tremendous impact whilst his time in Chennai.
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He scored 189 runs in his four matches, at a fantastic average of 63. Hayden always gave his team the perfect start, as his power hitting at the top often gave CSK a wonderful kick-off in their innings.
MIDDLE ORDER
Micheal Husssey
The brilliant Aussie scored a century in his maiden match in the IPL, as Hussey smashed KXIP that day in Mohali. Hussey was superb during his time with CSK, and is still fondly remembered by the Chennai faithful.
MS Dhoni
The incomparable MS Dhoni has been CSK right from day one, as the ‘Captain Cool’ led his team from the front. Dhoni took CSK to the final, and came within a whisker away from winning the maiden IPL title, which they eventually lost to Rajasthan Royals.
Suresh Raina
The highest run-scorer in IPL history, Raina is a CSK legend and is fondly remembered for his exploits in the famous yellow.
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Raina became a fixture at number three, but in the opening season found himself at number five in the batting order.
Jacob Oram
In his prime, the Kiwi all-rounder was one of the best players in his position, as Jacob Oram was a real star with both bat and ball. While Oram was never spectacular for CSK, he always put in a shift for the Chennai team.
Subramaniam Badrinath
One of the most under rated batsmen of his generation, Badrinath unfortunately played in an era where in Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman occupied the batting line-up. But with CSK, Badri was superb and is still fondly remembered at the Chepauk.
BOWLERS
Joginder Sharma
The man who famously bowled that final over in the 2007 T20 final, Joginder Sharma was a star player for CSK in the opening season.
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While he did not spend much time with CSK, Joginder was still remembered and will never be forgotten by Indian cricket fans.
Manpreet Gony
Gony was a strapping fast bowler who quickly became a star for the CSK franchise. The pacer was a find and soon found himself on the national team radar, with him eventually breaking into the Indian side, all thanks to his performances for CSK.
Palani Amarnath
Amarnath was great for Tamil Nadu, and has always been a good performer for his domestic team in the mid 2000s. The fast bowler has been one of the best to ever play for his state, and was very good for CSK in his time with the club.
Muttiah Muralitharan
The legendary off-spinner was brilliant for CSK, as Murali found himself the perfect team and crowd to play for. Murali was outstanding for CSK and continues to have a place in the hearts of CSK fans.
