Chennai Super Kings is one of the most successful teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Consistency, team spirit, and iconic players define this team. Since its inception in 2008, the Chennai Super Kings have always been in the spotlight and gained massive support from fans and cricketers alike. In this process, it becomes difficult to narrow down to a particular list of star cricketers that contributed to the team's success. In this article, we dig a little deeper into CSK's all-time greatest playing XI. Ruturaj Gaikwad Image Source: Getty Images Ruturaj Gaikwad has to be the opener for CSK because he has been amazing as an opening batter for the team in the last few years and has been the leading run getter for the team with 1797 runs at an average of 39. He has helped the team to win two IPL titles with his brilliant batting display. In the upcoming years, he will have a big role to play for the franchise as the skipper and as a batter as well. Also Read | Top 3 Major Controversies from IPL Auctions Mike Hussey Image Source: BCCI Australian legand Mike Hussey played 49 innings for IPL (2008-2013 and 2015), scoring 1 '768 runs at an average of 43.12 and strike rate of 123.63. Hussey was the first batter from Chennai Super Kings to score a century in the IPL. Notably, Hussey achieved a great feat in the IPL 2008 itself. The Australian legend was fantastic with the bat at the top for MS Dhoni and co. and was unbelievable in the field as well. Hussey brought calmness amidst the storm for CSK and was a trusted lieutenant for MS Dhoni. Suresh Raina Image Source: BCCI Chinna Thala, or Suresh Raina, played his entire IPL career except for the two seasons that he spent with Gujarat Lions for Chennai Super Kings. The vice captain of the side, Raina, played 176 matches, scoring 4 '687 runs with one century and 33 fifties. His average was 32.32, and his strike rate was 136.88. Besides all that, he was the best fielder for the side in any part of the field and even led the CSK team on a few occasions. His knock of 87 in a playoff game in IPL 2014 qualifier 1 is said to be one of the five best knocks in the history of the league. Ambati Rayudu Image Source: BCCI Another player who is capable of making into the greatest playing 11 of CSK is Ambati Rayudu. He had been amazing for the team with his batting, as he opened the batting and did well and also batted in the middle order. He played an important part in the middle order of the CSK and helped them to pass the tough situations on many occasions. Overall, Ambati Rayudu played an important role for the team, and that's the reason why he is on the list. Shane Watson Image Source: BCCI Shane Watson came to CSK in the later part of his career and still played 43 matches in which he scored 1 '252 runs. He averaged 30.53, and the strike rate was 136.83. He scored 2 centuries for CSK and 7 fifties. Watson's best knock came in the form of an unbeaten ton in the IPL 2018 final, which was the year CSK returned to the IPL after their two-year ban. Thereafter, Shane Watson continued till IPL 2020, after which he called time on his career. MS Dhoni Image Source: Getty Images MS Dhoni is the heart and soul of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise. Bought at the costliest price at the inaugural IPL 2008 auction, N Srinivasan immediately appointed him captain and gave him unlimited powers in all cricketing affairs. And MS Dhoni repaid the faith by taking CSK to the final in 2008 itself. Later, Dhoni won the title in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023 to equal Rohit Sharma's five IPL wins as captain for Mumbai Indians. At the age of 43, MS Dhoni will play for CSK in IPL 2025 again. Talking about his record, Dhoni has played 220 matches in IPL for CSK, scoring 4508 runs at a strike rate of 137.48. Also Read | Angkrish Raghuvanshi: Family, Career, Records, IPL - All Details Ravindra Jadeja Image Source: BCCI Ravindra Jadeja was picked up by CSK in 2011, and he went on to win the IPL that year for the team. In 158 matches, he has 125 wickets for the Yellow Army with a best bowling of 5/16. The ace all-rounder has an economy of 7.53 in this long journey. Ravindra Jadeja has aggregated 1'630 runs at a strike rate of 135.15 along with a best score of 62*. And of course, who can forget the'sword-like' victory dance every time he succeeds in getting a remarkable fifty for the Chennai-based franchise? Jadeja has even led CSK in the IPL 2022 and thus has been a big support on which CSK succeeded so far. Dwayne Bravo Image Source: BCCI West Indian Dwayne Bravo was the death-over go-to man for MS Dhoni. The mercurial all-rounder scored 1 '004 runs for CSK. Besides that, he took 140 wickets with the ball for the team at an economy of 8.36. Notably, the best bowling figure of his career had been 4/42. Dwayne Bravo is also an excellent fielder anywhere in the field and has come up with some suggestions of his own to MS Dhoni as well. Ravichandran Ashwin Image Source: AFP Ace spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin had formed an excellent partnership with Ravindra Jadeja for CSK for 4 years. He was one of the shining stars for skipper MS Dhoni and won a lot of matches for the Chennai Super Kings along with Ravindra Jadeja. In 97 matches for CSK, Ashwin took 90 wickets at an economy of 6.45. Ashwin's best bowling was 3/16, and he also contributed with the bat when the situation arrived. However, when CSK returned in IPL 2018, the franchise chose not to bring Ashwin back into the fold, but he is back again with CSK for the IPL 2025 Deepak Chahar Image Source: BCCI Pacer Deepak Chahar made his IPL debut for the Rising Pune SuperGiants and impressed a lot, MS Dhoni. So, when Chennai Super Kings returned to the IPL after a two-year gap in 2018, it was at the insistence of skipper Dhoni that the franchise bought Chahar in the auction. So far, Chahar has played 68 games for CSK and picked 71 wickets. During these appearances, the pacer's economy has been 7.84. Besides, Deepak Chahar's best bowling figures read 4/13. Mohit Sharma Image Source: BCCI Mohit Sharma has played an important part for the CSK during his time with the CSK; he picked crucial wickets and bowled really well. He played 48 matches and picked 48 wickets for the team. Conclusion CSK is one of the very few teams that have gone extremely well in the history of the Indian Premier League, as such, their all-time best playing XI is a statement of their dominance. All legendary players, match-winners, and loyal team members-a lineup that really captures what makes CSK special. From Dhoni’s leadership to the consistency of Raina and the bowling brilliance of Bravo each player has contributed to the team’s remarkable journey. While fans may have their favorites, this team represents the best of CSK over the years.