IPL: Overseas stars who had a dream debut for CSK

In sports, it is a dream for all the players to have a memorable debut. And the IPL is no exception. The most popular IPL franchise, the Chennai Super Kings are known for their fearless brand of Cricket. They are the most consistent franchise in the IPL history, with eight playoff appearances in as many seasons.

Over the years, many International stars have played under the banner. Some of them have stamped their authority right from their first game for the Yellow Army.

Let us now look at some of those players who have had a dream debut in the Chennai colors.

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#3 Sam Billings

Sam Billings

The English wicket-keeper batsman played two seasons for the Delhi Daredevils- in 2016 and 2017. Billings, who plays for Kent in the domestic circuit has also played in the Big Bash League and Pakistan Super League. He is an experienced T20 campaigner and an explosive batsman who can score runs at a quick pace. He has represented England in 17 T20 international matches and has scored 205 runs at a strike-rate of 134.87, with his highest score being 53. After being released by the Delhi Daredevils prior to the 2018 IPL auctions, he was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 1 crore. It was a bargain buy for Chennai considering Billings' batting prowess in the shorter formats.

The Chennai Super Kings returned to the IPL after a two-year hiatus in 2018 and they encountered Mumbai in the season opener at the Wankhede stadium. But Billings did not get an opportunity in that game. In the next game against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 10, Sam Billings made his debut for Chennai. Chasing 202-6 for the victory, it was Billings who anchored Chennai's chase with a fabulous 56(23), which included two boundaries and five towering sixes. Eventually, Chennai won the match by five wickets with a ball to spare. Billings was the Man of the match for his scintillating half-century in his first game in Chennai colors. Indeed, a memorable debut for the Englishman.

#2 Doug Bollinger

Doug Bollinger

Doug Bollinger, the former Aussie left-arm pacer made his IPL debut for the Chennai Super Kings against the Rajasthan Royals on April 3, 2010, at Chennai. He was roped into the Chennai squad during the later-half of the third season as a replacement for the injured New Zealand all-rounder, Jacob Oram. This match, a high-scoring thriller is considered as one of the best in the history of the tournament. Batting first, Chennai scored a record 246-5, thanks mainly to Murali Vijay’s astonishing innings of 127(56).

Bollinger, playing his first ever IPL match took two wickets for 15 runs in his four overs, that included the all-important wicket of the in-form Shane Watson in the 16th over and swung the match in Chennai’s favor.

In the 19th over, he took the wicket of Abhishek Jhunjhunwala to restrict the Royals well within the target. Bollinger came into the limelight mainly when he took a spectacular catch near the boundary line to dismiss the dangerous Yusuf Pathan. That catch is till date one of the tournament’s best. The Royals, who came close to the target of 247 eventually lost to the Chennai Super Kings by 23 runs. A memorable IPL and CSK debut for the Aussie bowler, claiming two important wickets at a crucial stage and taking a blinder near the boundary.

#1) Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey made his IPL debut for the Chennai Super Kings on April 19, 2010, against the Kings XI Punjab in Mohali. It was the second game in the IPL history and the first ever IPL match for the Chennai Super Kings. In his debut game, Hussey scored a scintillating century-116*(54), that included eight fours and nine sixes.

Hussey's knock took Chennai’s total to 240-5 in 20 overs. The Kings XI Punjab’s innings was anchored by the half-centuries from Kumar Sangakkara and James Hopes. But eventually they fell short of the target by 33 runs and the Super Kings won their first ever IPL game convincingly, courtesy Michael Hussey’s heroics. Mr. Cricket was the Man of the match for his brilliant century that guided Chennai to victory.