IPL: Chennai Super Kings' All-time Best XI

Bowlers

Ravichandran Ashwin

R.Ashwin - The most economical bowler for CSK

Matches -97, Wickets – 90, Economy – 6.46

R. Ashwin was one player who got the most out of IPL. With his performances in IPL 2010, Ashwin caught the eyes of the selectors and skipper Dhoni which launched his International career.

Ashwin was a raw talent when he first made his debut in IPL 2009. He could bowl only 4 overs in his first season. But thereafter from 2010 to 2015, Ashwin managed to take 10 or more wickets every season.

Moreover, his economy rate in this period was always below 7. In fact, after having played 97 matches for CSK, Ashwin was the most economical bowler for CSK across seasons.

At CSK, Ashwin became an expert with the new ball when Dhoni gave him the opportunity to open the bowling. His best for CSK came in the match against KKR in 2010 at his home ground Chennai.

Opening the bowling for CSK, Ashwin got the wickets of Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum and David Hussey in his first three overs. He was denied a hat-trick by umpire Simon Taufel when Angelo Mathews gloved him to leg slip which the umpire failed to spot.

Ashwin has had his success against Chris Gayle. He is the second spinner in this team.

Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma - The most successful Indian fast bowler for CSK

Matches – 47, Wickets – 57, Economy – 7.80

Mohit Sharma has been the most successful Indian fast bowler for CSK. Though he could play for only three seasons for CSK, he managed to take 57 wickets in that period.

He took 20, 23 and 14 wickets in 2013,2014 and 2015 respectively. He has always been a consistent wicket-taker for CSK.

Mohit’s best bowling effort for CSK came against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2014 when he took 4 for 14 in his four overs.

His wickets included that of Ambati Rayadu and Pollard. In the same season, he was once again successful against Mumbai Indians in the Elimination match when he took 3 for 42.

In IPL 2013, Sharma cleaned up both David Warner and Virender Sehwag against Delhi to finish with figures of 3 for 10.

In this team, Mohit Sharma would be the ideal first change bowler and the designated death bowler. He could surprise the batsmen with his clever change of pace at the death.

Doug Bollinger

Bollinger was instrumental in CSK winning the titles in 2010 & 2011

Matches – 27, Wickets – 37, Economy – 7.22

CSK was in a spot of bother in IPL 2010 losing a number of preliminary matches. They were looking for a savior. That was when Doug Bollinger arrived on the horizon in CSK’s 32nd match of the season.

In his very first match in IPL against Rajasthan Royals, Bollinger made an immediate impact by knocking off his countryman Shane Watson. He finished his first match with figures of 2 for 15 in 4 overs.

Bollinger kept improving thereafter in the season. He reserved his best against Deccan Changers in the second semi-final when he had the magic figures of 4 for 13 to help CSK defend a low total of 142 successfully.

Bollinger came back for CSK in the next season in 2011 and took 17 wickets. He was instrumental in CSK winning the title for two consecutive years in 2010 and 2011.

Being a left-arm fast bowler, Bollinger’s angle was difficult to handle both with the new and old ball. His relentless pace was his added advantage.

Bollinger is the new ball bowler to partner Albie Morkel in this team.