MS Dhoni To Captain Rohit Sharma; Pandya, Raina In: All Time IPL XI Of  CSK And MI

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL/x.com]MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL/x.com]

Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have been the most successful franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League. Both these teams have won the title five times each. 

The fact that MI and CSK share 10 of the 17 IPL titles between them indicates the dominance of the two teams in the league. This dominance comes from the fact that they have, over the years, commanded a brilliant playing XI. Players who can perform under pressure and change the complexion of a match at any stage have been present in both teams.

In this article we will look at the all-time combined XI of MI and CSK.

Openers For MI-CSK Combined XI

Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar For Mumbai Indians [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar For Mumbai Indians [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

Sachin Tendulkar

Matches: 78 Runs: 2,334 Average: 34.84 SR: 119.82

The IPL stats of Sachin Tendulkar reveal the fact that his strike was on the lower side if we consider the standards of modern-day cricket. However, when the great batter was superbly consistent for the Mumbai Indians, and when he played IPL, the strike rate was acceptable.

Rohit Sharma

Matches: 212 Runs: 5,458 Average: 29.50 SR: 131.08 (for MI)

Rohit Sharma has been one of the pillars of MI during their dominance of the league. The Indian ODI and Test skipper has, over the years, given his team some impactful starts. Also, the fact that he has led the Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles makes him an important member of the leadership group of this team.

Middle Order For MI-CSK Combined XI

Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu for CSK [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu for CSK [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

Suresh Raina

Matches: 176 Runs: 4,687 Average: 33.64 SR: 136.93 (for CSK)

Suresh Raina was one of the most important members of the CSK time till he played for them. His consistency and impact at number three were the prime reason behind many a CSK win. When you talk about an all-time CSK team, there is no way you can look past Suresh Raina. Once nicknamed Mr.IPL, Suresh Raina will be the ideal number three of this playing XI.

Ambati Rayudu

Matches: 90 Runs: 1,932 Average: 29.72 SR: 129.32 (for CSK)
Matches: 114 Runs: 2,416 Average: 27.15 SR: 126.16 (for MI)

Ambati Rayudu was one of those players who represented both MI and CSK during his IPL career. While he played more for MI, his impact was more during his time with CSK. Rayudu had been an important part of the middle-order of both teams and thus will be a perfect inclusion in this playing XI.

Kieron Pollard

Matches: 189 Runs: 3,412 SR: 126.16 Wickets: 69 Economy: 8.77

Kieron Pollard will be remembered as one of the MI greats of all time. He was the architect of many memorable MI wins with his power-packed finishing. In fact, Pollard was one of the biggest nightmares of the CSK team during his time in the tournament. Besides his brilliant batting, Pollard was also an effective bowler, and thus, his presence in this team adds depth, dynamism and flexibility to the composition.

Finishers For MI-CSK Combined XI

Hardik Pandya

Matches: 106 Runs: 1,692 SR: 152.143 Wickets: 53 Economy: 9.40 (For MI)

One of the prime reasons behind the domination of MI in the IPL was the combination of Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya in the lower middle order. Pandya’s ability to change the complexion of a match with his big hitting makes him a crucial member of this playing XI. Besides, Hardik Pandya can be a very effective bowler for the captain, too. 

Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni will be the finishers of this team [Source: @vinayakkm/x.com]Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni will be the finishers of this team [Source: @vinayakkm/x.com]

MS Dhoni (C/WK)

Matches: 234 Runs: 4,669 SR: 139.29.143 Average: 40.25 (for CSK)

MS Dhoni, at his peak, was one of the best finishers in the IPL. He played many memorable knocks for CSK and bailed them out of pressure situations. His hitting abilities in the death phase make him the perfect number seven in this batting line-up. Also, the fact that CSK have played 10 finals and won five of them under his leadership makes him the perfect candidate as the captain of the team.

All-rounders For MI-CSK Combined XI

Ravindra Jadeja

Matches: 172 Runs: 1,897 SR: 136.18 Wickets: 133 Economy: 7.57 (For CSK)

Ravindra Jadeja is the perfect three-dimensional player to have in any T20 playing XI. The Indian all-rounder can strengthen the finishing of the team with his batting and also add flexibility to the bowling attack. Besides his batting and bowling abilities, Jadeja adds that X-factors with his brilliant fielding abilities.

Dwayne Bravo

Matches: 116 Runs: 1,004 SR: 137.16 Wickets: 140 Economy: 8.37 (For CSK)
Matches: 30 Runs: 457 SR: 117.18 Wickets: 26 Economy: 8.20 (For MI)

Dwayne Bravo is one of those players who has played for both MI and CSK in the IPL. While he was still maturing as a cricketer during his time in MI, Bravo realised his potential with CSK. The West Indian all-rounder will bring about flexibility in the batting line-up and also add dynamism to the bowling attack with his versatility.

Bowlers For MI-CSK Combined XI

Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah for MI [Source: @Cricketwala22/x.com]Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah for MI [Source: @Cricketwala22/x.com]

Jasprit Bumrah

Matches: 133 Wickets: 165 Avg: 22.52 SR: 18.50

Jasprit Bumrah is currently the best bowler in the world when it comes to any format of cricket. With his ability to bowl at any stage of the game and pick up wickets during any situation of a match, there is no way you can look past him. 

Lasith Malinga

Matches: 122 Wickets: 170 Avg: 19.85 SR: 16.63

Lasith Malinga was one of MI's biggest match-winners during his time in IPL. His immaculate skills in the death phase make him one of the greatest ever bowlers to have played the league. The combination of Bravo, Bumrah and Malinga will bring about a lot of flexibility, dynamism and variety in the bowling of the team.

Impact Player For MI-CSK Combined XI

Michael Hussey

Matches: 50 Runs: 1,768 Average: 42.10 SR: 123.64 (for CSK)
Matches: 9 Runs: 209 Average: 23.22 SR: 114.84 (for MI)

The Australian star, Michael Hussey, was one of the CSK's prized possessions during his time in IPL. He has also represented the Mumbai Indians, but it was not a happy union like the CSK-Hussey one. Hussey had been a consistent performer for the Super Kings and was a solid presence at the top of the order. With Hussey coming in as the impact player on this side, the playing combination will get a lot of depth and flexibility. 

Why is MS Dhoni the Captain Of MI-CSK Playing XI Over Rohit Sharma?

Both Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have won five titles each as captain; in fact, Rohit has done it with fewer attempts than Dhoni. So, the question might arise as to why MS Dhoni is the captain of this team ahead of Rohit. Well, here is a reason to justify the selection - 

Consistency - While Rohit Sharma’s MI has taken fewer digs in the final to win their five IPL titles, MS Dhoni’s CSK has been the more consistent team. They have made it more times into the summit clash and have established themselves as one of the constants in the BIG MATCH. Besides, MSD has a greater win percentage than Rohit as a captain in IPL, which puts the CSK skipper ahead. 

MI-CSK All Time XI

Sachin Tendulkar (MI)
Rohit Sharma (MI)
Suresh Raina (CSK)
Ambati Rayudu (MI/CSK)
Kieron Pollard (MI) ✈️
Hardik Pandya (MI)
MS Dhoni (CSK) (wk/c)
Ravindra Jadeja (CSK)
Dwayne Bravo (MI/CSK) ✈️
Jasprit Bumrah (MI)
Lasith Malinga (MI) ✈️
Mike Hussey (MI/CSK) ✈️