R Ashwin blind ranks CSK legends; places Ruturaj Gaikwad higher than Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo

Ravichandran Ashwin, a former all-rounder for Team India, has ranked the top eight legends of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the IPL 2026 season (via ESPN Cricinfo Instagram handle). He placed former opener and South African star Faf du Plessis at No.8.

Faf du Plessis played a crucial role in CSK’s title triumphs in 2018 and 2021, amassing nearly 3,000 runs for the team with an average of 34.90 and a strike rate of 132.07 across 100 matches. Dwayne Bravo, the former West Indian all-rounder, was ranked No.7. He concluded his career as CSK’s top wicket-taker with 154 wickets at an average of 22.66 in 130 games. Bravo also made significant contributions with the bat, scoring nearly 1,300 runs, and was vital in CSK’s victories in 2011, 2018, and 2021.

Ambati Rayudu was ranked No.6 on Ashwin’s list of all-time CSK players. The former right-handed batsman accumulated almost 2,000 runs at an average of 29.72 and a strike rate of 129.31, aiding the team in securing their last three IPL titles.

Unexpectedly, Ashwin placed Ravindra Jadeja, his former spin-bowling partner at CSK, at No.5. Jadeja is the team’s second-highest wicket-taker with 152 wickets and ranks fifth in run-scoring with 2,354 runs. His contributions were pivotal in CSK’s championship runs in 2018, 2021, and 2023.

R Ashwin ranks himself in the top four of all-time CSK legends

Ravichandran Ashwin positioned himself at No.3 among CSK legends, citing his significant impact in the team’s first two IPL title wins in 2010 and 2011. As CSK’s third-leading wicket-taker, Ashwin claimed 127 wickets at an average of 24.62 with an economy rate of 6.82. At No.4, Ashwin selected Ruturaj Gaikwad, the current CSK captain, while MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina were unsurprisingly chosen as the top two.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a key performer with the bat for CSK in their recent title victories in 2021 and 2023, scoring 2,753 runs at an impressive average of 39.32 and a strike rate of 135.74. Suresh Raina holds the title of CSK’s all-time leading run-scorer with 5,529 runs, maintaining an average of over 33 and a strike rate of 138.91 in 200 games. Following closely, MS Dhoni is second in run-scoring for CSK with 5,314 runs at an average of 38.23 and a strike rate of 139.29, also leading the team to all five of their title victories.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran