The Best All-Time Left-Handed CSK XI

Chennai Super Kings is one of the most successful franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League. So far, the Chennai-based outfit has won four trophies. It is only in IPL 2020 that CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs in a season in which the team participated. In this article, we take a look at the best all-time left-handed CSK XI.

Throughout the history of the squad, CSK has always had a balanced XI. The backroom staff along with MS Dhoni have always ensured that CSK can survive in most conditions against all oppositions. The left-handed contingent has had a crucial say in the success of the franchise. Hence, in this article, we constitute a CSK XI comprising only left-handers.

Note: We have considered players whose primary skill is left-handed. The XI has been framed based on IPL's four-foreigners rule.

Openers: Parthiv Patel (WK) and Mathew Hayden

Parthiv Patel and Mathew Hayden will open the batting for the all-time left-handed CSK XI. With MS Dhoni in the squad, Parthiv did not get a lot of chances. However, in the games that he played, the Gujarat player was decent. Mathew Hayden, who won the Orange Cap in 2009, will be Parthiv's partner in this XI. The Aussie has scored more than 1000 runs for the team at a strike rate of 135. Hayden played plenty of impactful knocks and also won the tournament with CSK.

Middle-Order: Suresh Raina (C), S Vidyut and Mike Hussey

Suresh Raina is the highest run-getter for CSK. In 200 games, the southpaw has scored 5529 runs. At No.3, Raina has contributed heavily to the franchise. He has been involved in all the title-winning campaigns for CSK so far.

Barring Raina, CSK has not had a lot of left-handed specialist middle-order batters. Hence, we have S Vidyut at No.4. He played nine games and has also hit a fifty for the team.

The first century-getter for CSK, Mike Hussey is an easy pick for this XI. Although he played in the top-order for CSK, for the balance of this XI, Hussey plays at No.5.

All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Pawan Negi and Sam Curran

It will be a pretty good all-rounder's unit for the all-time left-handed CSK XI. Of course, it will be Ravindra Jadeja who will headline this department. Jaddu has been a part of the unit for close to a decade now. He has picked up more than 100 wickets and has scored close to 1500 runs for the franchise.

Although for a brief period, Pawan Negi did make his presence felt in the yellow jersey. He got to make his India debut after the stint with CSK. Sam Curran, who is more of a recent addition to the unit, also features in this XI. Although CSK has released him, the franchise could target to buy him back again.

Bowlers: S Jakati, Doug Bollinger and Ashish Nehra

S Jakati, Bollinger and Nehra will comprise the core of the bowling attack for this XI. In the initial seasons, Jakati was a regular starter for the franchise. Bollinger played only from 2010 to 2012 but picked up 55 wickets during this period. His economy of just 7.30 also served the franchise well. Ashish Nehra picked up 40 wickets for CSK in just 25 games. He peaked during his time at CSK. Hence, he is part of this XI.