The Chennai Super Kings have been one of the most consistent franchises in the Indian Premier League. They finished in the Top 4 of the points table in each of their first ten appearances in the tournament’s history. For the first time ever, the CSK franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2020. However, they started well in IPL 2021.
The reason behind the Chennai Super Kings has been the blend of experience and youth. While the Super Kings have preferred experienced cricketers of late, they have also given six extremely talented rising stars the stage to showcase their talent. In this listicle today, we will glance at the six Indian cricketers who made their T20I debut after performing well for the Chennai-based IPL franchise.
1. Former Chennai Super Kings spinner Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin came into the spotlight after his match-winning performances for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. While he plays for the Delhi Capitals now, Ashwin was a member of the CSK squad from 2009 to 2015.
In those editions of the Indian Premier League, Ashwin picked up 90 wickets in 97 matches. The 2010 season was game-changing for him as he took 13 wickets in 12 matches. Soon after IPL 2010, Ashwin made his T20 international debut.
2. Former Chennai Super Kings pace bowler Mohit Sharma
Mohit Sharma is a right-arm medium-pace bowler who performed superbly for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2013 and 2014 editions of the Indian Premier League. Sharma picked up 20 wickets in 15 matches of his maiden IPL season.
As a result, Sharma earned a place in the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2014. He made his T20 international debut at the grand stage against the Australian cricket team.
3. Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar played five matches in the 2016 and the 2017 editions of the Indian Premier League. He could take only one wicket in those five appearances for the Rising Pune Supergiant franchise.
However, Deepak’s life changed after joining the Chennai Super Kings in 2018. He scalped ten wickets in 12 matches and received his maiden India T20I call-up. Chahar made his debut versus England after IPL 2018.
4. Subramaniam Badrinath
Subramaniam Badrinath is one of the few players who got dropped from the team even after winning the Man of the Match award in his last game. Badrinath made his T20I debut for India against West Indies in 2011.
He won the Player of the Match award in that game. Prior to his T20I debut, Badrinath scored 396 runs in 16 matches for the Chennai Super Kings. It proved to be his most successful season.
5. Murali Vijay
Another former Chennai Super Kings batsman to appear on this list is Murali Vijay. The right-handed batsman had a fantastic IPL season with the Chennai-based franchise in 2010. Vijay played 15 matches, amassing 458 runs at an average of 35.23.
Thanks to Vijay’s brilliant performances, he received a place in the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2010. He made his T20I debut for India in the mega event.
6. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad is the latest Indian cricketer to make his T20I debut after some excellent performances for the Chennai Super Kings. Gaikwad has won four Player of the Match awards in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
The right-handed batsman received his maiden T20I cap during the series between India and Sri Lanka. He played two matches for India in that series but could not score big.
