CSK is one of the most successful franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They have a huge fan following, thanks to their consistent performances on the field. CSK’s solid batting core has been a key factor behind their success over the years. They have always focused on consistency over high-variant excitement, and it has paid off for them.
As the four-time IPL champions gear up for another season, let’s take a look at their top three batters of all time.
1) Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis has been a stellar player for CSK over the years. He is known for his consistency and adaptability. He can play in different positions according to the team’s requirements. He was predominantly an opening batsman for CSK, but he also played in the middle order when needed.
In the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Du Plessis took it upon himself to up the tempo in the powerplay and get the team off to brisk starts. He is currently the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), but his legacy at CSK is massive. He has scored 2,721 runs in 92 matches at an average of 35.33 and a strike rate of 131.44.
Also Read: IPL 2023: 3 Young CSK Players Who Can Have A Great Season
2) MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni is the first ever Super King and continues to remain at the helm even today. He is known as one of the greatest leaders in the game of cricket. His batting exploits in the IPL have been tremendous over the years, scripting many a fairytale finish for CSK.
Dhoni has scored 4404 runs in the league for CSK at an average of 40.40 and a strike rate of 136.68. His overall strike rate between overs 17 and 20 for CSK reads 187.70. He has played the role of a finisher in the second half of the innings over the years, making him a superlative batter in the league. He takes the second spot here purely because of the man coming up next.
Also Read: IPL 2023: 3 best CSK players to play Indian Premier League
3) Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina can stake a rightful claim to being called the best batter the IPL has seen. He has been the heartbeat of CSK over the years. Though he has hung up his boots, ‘Chinna Thala’ has always been a fan favorite and a bona fide legend of the franchise. He cracked the T20 batting code before anyone else did.
Impact defines his legacy over the sheer volume of runs on a season-by-season basis. In the 11 seasons he played for CSK, the left-hander scored 4,687 runs at an average of 32.32 and a strike rate of 136.88. He crossed the 400-run mark in eight of those seasons and the 350-run mark in two others.