IPL 2019: 5 most successful bowlers against CSK

The IPL season is here and we can’t stop ourselves from bringing intriguing statistics and insights to you from this mega event. The 12th edition is scheduled to begin on the 23rd of March when the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore to take on the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.

The Chennai Super Kings are the most successful team in this tournament and will be looking to lift that coveted trophy once again in this season. The defending champions have always boasted of great power hitters and street-smart batsmen in their squad over the span of 12 years.

From dashing openers like Mathew Hayden and Mike Hussey to superstars like Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo, and MS Dhoni, CSK always had a great set of batsmen that bowlers feared to bowl at. As a result, the team has managed to make it through an incredible 7 finals in the 9 years they have played.

While many have struggled against the men in yellow, few of them have indeed enjoyed success against this mighty side. As we prepare for the final countdown for the IPL, we will look at 5 such bowlers who have been the most successful against the Chennai based side.

#5 Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan was one of the Pioneers of Knuckle Ball and Reverse Swing

At number 5, we have one of the most prominent bowlers India has ever seen - Zaheer Khan. A great exponent of pace and reverse swing, Khan is one of the most successful bowlers to have ever played for India. One of the pioneers of the knuckleball known for outsmarting batsmen, Khan has even enjoyed great success against the Dhoni-led side from Chennai.

In the 13 games he has played against them, Zaheer has picked up 16 wickets at an impressive average of 22 and an economy of 7.6 runs an over. Zaheer has always been a deceptive bowler and his accuracy against the left-handers is second to none.

Zaheer Khan has been a part of Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Mumbai Indians. Currently, Zaheer Khan is part of the Mumbai Indians as a Director of Operations.

#4 Vinay Kumar

Vinay Kumar is the second highest wicket-taker for the RCB

At number 4, we have the Davangere Express from Karnataka - Vinay Kumar. Kumar has been a great servant to the Karnataka side and has led them to a historic, unprecedented treble of winning the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare trophy and the Irani trophy for two consecutive seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

As a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Vinay Kumar enjoyed great success against the Chennai Super Kings. In 17 innings against the Chennai side, Kumar has taken 17 wickets at an average of 28.41. He has even picked up a 4-for in an innings once.

Known for his variation in pace and accuracy in line and length, Vinay has been a part of Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. Vinay Kumar is the second highest wicket-taker for RCB. Unfortunately, he remained unsold in the 12th edition of the tournament.

#3 Pragyan Ojha:

Ojha was once touted as the front-runner among India’s all-time left-arm spinners.

Pragyan Ojha, the slow left-arm bowler from Hyderabad, is at number 3 on this list. Ojha had a great start to the IPL campaign in 2008. As a part of the Deccan Chargers, he picked up 11 wickets from 13 games at a decent economy and average. His performances earned him the national-side call-up. Ojha was once touted as the front-runner among India’s all-time left-arm spinners. Ojha had a great beginning to his career, only for it to fade away later.

In the IPL, he has had enjoyed a fair bit of success against the 3-time champions. In the 15 matches he has played against them, he has picked up a massive 21 wickets at a staggering average of 16.4.

His economy rate too is a mere 6.4 runs per over. Ojha has played for the Hyderabad based Deccan Chargers and the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. In the 2019 IPL auction, Ojha remained unsold.

#2 Lasith Malinga:

Malinga is the highest wicket-taker in the IPL with 154 wickets to his name

At number 2, we have the highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL- Lasith Malinga. Malinga has enjoyed success against literally every side he has played against and during his peak in the early part of this decade, he was one of the most feared bowlers in the league.

The Sri Lankan has enjoyed great success even against the Chennai Super Kings and given the rivalry between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, Malinga has always upped his game while playing against the Tamil-Nadu based side.

In the 17 innings he has played against them, he has picked up 23 wickets at an impressive average of 19 and a more-than-healthy economy of 6.6 runs per over. In 2018, Malinga went unsold but he has made a comeback to the Mumbai Indians side in 2019 and It will be interesting to see how he fares in this edition of the League.

#1 Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh holds the record of bowling the most dot balls in the IPL

The list is headed by the current CSK player and former Mumbai Indians player- Harbhajan Singh. For the majority of the IPL, Harbhajan Singh was part of the Mumbai Indians and he played a pivotal role for the franchise during his time at the financial capital of India.

Harbhajan is one of the most successful spinners in the IPL. He holds the record of bowling the most dot balls in the league. He has bowled a total of 1,128 dot balls and in the 149 IPL games he has played, he has taken a massive 134 wickets at a healthy economy of 7 and at an average of 27.

The Turbanator has always brought the best game in him while facing the mighty CSK. In the 21 games he has played against them, he has taken 24 wickets at a splendid average of 21 and an economy of 6.5 runs per over.

Special Mention:

Anil Kumble - 6 games, 7 wickets, Bowling average of 16, Economy-4.7