India’s Best T20I XI, But With A Twist: Only CSK Players Make The Cut

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), alongside Mumbai Indians (MI). These two teams are the only franchises to have won five IPL titles each. One of the biggest reasons for the sustained success of CSK and MI over the years has been their ability to get some of the finest Indian players in their respective teams.

When discussing CSK, it is impossible to avoid mentioning the name of MS Dhoni. The wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand has been at the center of every trophy CSK have won. The Men in Yellow have won all their titles under MSD. His achievements at the international level are equally remarkable - he has led India to victories in the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, Champions Trophy, and even the Test Championship Mace.

Over the years, CSK have also benefited immensely from the contributions of Indian stalwarts like Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Murali Vijay, Shivam Dube, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, and many others. These players have not only strengthened CSK’s squad but have also played pivotal roles in making the franchise one of the most successful T20 teams not just in the IPL, but across the globe.

In an interesting exercise, we have attempted to create India’s best T20I XI featuring only players who have represented CSK at some point in their careers. For this lineup, we have considered only those players who have played at least one game for CSK and at least one T20I for India.

India’s Best T20I XI Made Entirely Of CSK Players

Robin Uthappa, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suresh Raina, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, R Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra

Uthappa will be the aggressor during the powerplay, capable of taking the attack to the opposition from the outset, while Gaikwad will be expected to anchor the innings, a role he has executed exceptionally well for CSK over the years. Uthappa was also part of India’s squad that won the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa.

The No.3 spot has been reserved for Raina, arguably CSK’s biggest match-winner with the bat. The classy left-hander played countless memorable innings for India in T20Is and was one of the most reliable performers in the IPL. Shivam Dube serves as the spin-bashing all-rounder, capable of playing big shots against slow bowlers while also offering seam bowling when required.

Rayudu, one of the most underrated players in IPL history with six titles to his name, has been included as a floater in the middle order. Rayudu was one of the few Indian batters capable of batting anywhere in the order and adapting his game to suit the team’s needs.

Dhoni, naturally, will be the designated finisher. CSK has historically been blessed with some world-class Indian spinners, and this XI features Jadeja, Ashwin, and Harbhajan, all of whom can contribute with both bat and ball. Chahar, a specialist in the powerplay, adds further balance, while Nehra, the left-arm seamer, provides control across all three phases of the game. 

Some of the best Indian pacers in T20 cricket, including Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, and T Natarajan, have never represented CSK. Yet, under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK have always found a way to maximise the potential of seamers at their disposal. With Dhoni at the helm, expect him to extract the best performances from Chahar and Nehra while letting the three spinners dominate proceedings.