CSK's first-ever playing XI in IPL: Where are they now?

MS Dhoni batting. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI) The success of the Indian cricket team in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup at South Africa charted ways towards BCCI’s brainchild – The IPL. The tournament has matured and evolved massively over sixteen editions making it the richest cricketing league. The CSK franchise has been one of the most successful teams in the history of the tournament. The Men in Yellow managed to acquire top players like the T20-winning captain MS Dhoni to the hard-hitting Aussie pair of Hayden and Hussey in the inaugural season. With 5 titles in the bag (out of 14 seasons) they enter the 2024 season as defending champions. Let’s look at CSK’s first-ever playing XI in IPL. Where are they now? 1. Parthiv Patel Parthiv Patel. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images) The Gujarati wicketkeeper-batsman was the first batsman of the CSK franchise to face the ruthless Brett Lee in their inaugural match in the IPL. In a battle of the Kings – CSK vs KXIP, the atmosphere was perfectly set for a mouth-watering affair. Parthiv set the stage on fire as he took on Sreesanth for three consecutive fours in the fourth over of his innings. The southpaw ended the first edition of the cash-rich league amassing 302 runs at a strike rate of 101.68. He wasn’t the biggest hitter of the ball, although he ended up scoring 42 fours and 3 big sixes helping CSK reach their first finals that season. After announcing himself as Test cricket’s youngest wicketkeeper at the age of 17, Parthiv Patel hung his armoury on December 9, 2020, at the age of 35. A couple of days later, he joined Mumbai Indians as their talent scout. He was a part of the Select Dugout as well as a Hindi commentator in IPL 2021. He currently appears as an expert on several platforms. 2. Matthew Hayden Matthew Hayden. (Photo Source: Twitter) A destructor of the cricket ball, the tall and intimidating Matthew Hayden, opened the innings with Parthiv Patel in CSK’s first match. He lasted only 17 balls scoring 25 runs, but he did not fall before setting a flying start for the Men in Yellow. While the Queenslander played only four matches that season, he proved to be an excellent addition to the team’s setup. During his next three years, he scored over 1100 runs for them at a stellar strike rate of 137.5 with the highest score being 93 vs Delhi Daredevils off his mongoose bat in 2010. He didn’t get the best end to his international career producing disappointing performances that translated to a retirement announcement in 2009 and further, from all forms of cricket in 2012. In 2017, the southpaw was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. Hayden was the batting coach of Pakistan during the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cup and is an active commentator. 3. Michael Hussey Michael Hussey. (Photo Source: Twitter) It is hard to imagine CSK without the services of Mr Cricket. The Aussie top-order batter was another star left-hander in their first-ever playing XI. The franchise’s first-ever centurion (116*) in their inaugural match, it was onwards and upwards for Michael Hussey from thereon. Hussey enjoyed a great run with the Chennai team. Like his Australia teammate – Hayden, he too played only the first four matches of the edition before leaving for international duty, but he left an impact helping the team reach the inaugural edition’s finals. Over the years, Hussey scored 1977 at a strike rate of 122.64 and averaged 38.76 while playing for CSK. He ended up scoring the maximum runs (733) in the 2013 edition. While his retirement announcement from cricket in 2012 shocked many, he has maintained an association with the sport and the Indian Premier League as he took up the position of CSK’s batting coach in 2018. He was last seen taking responsibility as the head coach of Welsh Fire Men in The Hundred 2023. 4. MS Dhoni MS Dhoni. (photo source: IPL/BCCI) MS Dhoni to CSK is what oxygen is to humans. Leading the team since the tournament’s inauguration, he has taken the Chennai team, a record 11 times to the finals and lifted the trophy 4 times. A strategic captain, a power-hitting finisher, an acrobatic keeper, under Dhoni the Yellow team managed to scale newer heights every year. In his first-ever match in the IPL, Dhoni failed to fire, falling for just a couple of runs off three deliveries. While this is one side of the story, the captain finished the season scoring 414 at an average of 41.4. With two fifties against his name, the legendary player made it difficult for the opposition teams and often took the matches away. MS Dhoni is known for his surprising and unexpected announcements. On 15th August 2020, he posted a video on social media announcing his retirement from international cricket. He continues to captain CSK and led them to their record-levelling fifth title in IPL 2023. 5. Suresh Raina Suresh Raina of Chennai Super Kings (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Batting three down in CSK’s match against KXIP, Mr IPL got the ball rolling with his quick-fire 32 off 13 balls. Suresh Raina has been CSK’s standout player for the majority of their time in the IPL. A dependable top-order batter, who could change gears within overs, Raina wasn’t one to be dropped from the squad. He has amassed 5528 during his time in the IPL at an average of 32.51. With 39 fifties against his name at a strike of 136.76, Raina was often the anchor of huge totals set by Chennai Super Kings. An incredible fielder and a player to bowl the odd couple of overs during tense situations, the Indian batsman was a valuable addition to the squad. Following the footsteps of the legendary former captain of the Indian Team- MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina too hung his boots on 15th August 2020. Raina announced his IPL retirement in September 2022. He represented Urbanrisers Hyderabad in the Legends League Cricket 2023 in India. 6. Jacob Oram Jacob Oram. (Photo Source: Twitter) It is often difficult to miss out on a 6’4 ft tall bowler coming at you and hitting the deck with his fast deliveries. A handy middle-order batter and a successful shorter format bowler for the Black Caps, Jacob Oram entered the 2008 IPL with the hopes of replicating his match-winning performances in franchise cricket. His stay was short-lived during his first match at Mohali as he was knocked over by an unplayable Yorker. He scored 13 off ten deliveries and a huge six to his name. Luck didn’t favour Oram during his Chennai days as he managed a mere 18 runs in the 4 matches he played in the first 2 seasons while scalping three wickets. After retiring from Test cricket in 2009, Oram took leadership duties becoming the bowling coach of New Zealand A in 2014. Jacob Oram is currently coaching Central Hinds Cricket Team in New Zealand. 7. S Badrinath Subramaniam Badrinath (Photo Source: NOAH SEELAM/AFP via Getty Images) Signing up local talents ahead of the 2008’s player auctions would have been on the bucket list of every team. CSK hit the right nail in the coffin by acquiring the services of S Badrinath. A person capable of batting at any position, the Chennai boy saved the match for CSK on many occasions. His IPL journey couldn’t have started on a better note as he handled the team’s finish with utmost perfection taking them to a massive 240/5. His contribution of 31 consisting of 2 boundaries and 3 fours was just one such performance. Over the seasons, he has scored a total of 1441 runs for the CSK (2008-2013) and RCB franchise (2015). Having retired in 2018, his post-retirement activities include commentating and often features on the Star Sports Tamil Broadcast team. 8. Joginder Sharma Joginder Sharma. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images) The man who bowled the title-winning delivery in the inaugural T20 World Cup, this Harayana player was acquired by the 4-time champion, CSK, in the first IPL edition. His wobbly yet unexpected pace and batting abilities led him to feature in their first match of the 2008 season. Defending a massive target of 240 wasn’t going to be the easiest of tasks for the bowling unit. The medium-pacer didn’t enjoy his first outing in the yellow jersey conceding 47 off the 4 overs while taking a lone wicket. However, he managed to take 12 wickets in his 16-match long IPL career with his economy being on the higher end. Joginder Sharma is currently known to be the Deputy Superintendent of Police in his home state Haryana. 9. Palani Amarnath Palani Amarnath. (Photo Source: Instagram) Another local talent scouted by the Chennai franchise, Palani Amarnath was known to be one of Tamil Nadu’s fastest bowlers. He was still unknown to the cricket fraternity. Therefore his inclusion surprised many. In his first game, he bowled an expensive spell (4-0-42-1) in a high-scoring affair. However, he did make a vital contribution with a slower ball that dismissed the set batsman James Hope who was looking dangerous on 71 runs. Amarnath was picked by Madhurai SG in the Tamil Nadu Premier League and he continued to play for them till 2017. 10. Manpreet Gony Manpreet Gony. (Photo Source: Twitter) Leading the Men in Yellow’s attack to become their highest wicket-taker in the inaugural season, Manpreet Gony produced several match-winning performances in their successful campaign. Like the other fast bowlers, it wasn’t the ideal first match for the tall Punjab bowler. He finished with a wicket and conceded 42 off his 4 overs. However, he bounced back picking up 17 wickets in the next 15 matches finishing as the 5th highest player amongst the overall wicket-takers. These performances translated into a national call up making 2008 a fruitful year for the fast bowler. In 2019, he called it a day from his international cricket career and decided to play T20 leagues as a freelance cricketer. He represented India Legends during the Road Safety World Series 2022. 11. Muttiah Muralitharan Muttiah Muralitharan. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images) Employing the skills of legendary spin king, Muttiah Muralitharan, made the CSK bowling lineup lethal. The Lankan spinner often pitched perfect deliveries and ended up scalping 11 wickets from his 15 matches at an economical 6.98. Muralitharan ended as the most economical bowler of the match. Although he just managed to get the wicket of his countryman Kumar Sangakkara. A total of 7 dot balls and just 3 boundaries was instrumental in handing CSK the victory. The retired spinner is currently a part of the coaching management of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team as their strategy and spin bowling coach. His biopic '800' recently hit the theatres and was received well by the audience. For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the IOS App Store and Google Play Store

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