Chennai Super Kings are one of the most consistent sides of the Indian Premier League. Throughout the years, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team has shown exemplary dominance in the competition, both with the bat and the ball.
Though CSK never had the traditional big-hitters like Chris Gayle and Andre Russell, we have seen quite a few fiery knocks from men in yellow. Let us have a look at the 5 batsmen who scored the fastest fifties for CSK:
1. Suresh Raina – 16 balls
It is indeed a shame that Suresh Raina’s long journey with CSK came to an end very bitterly, but the batsman’s legacy will remain forever in the memories of CSK loyalists.
He holds the record of scoring the fastest fifty for CSK. Raina amassed a half-century in just 16 deliveries, when he faced Kings XI Punjab back in 2014. Chasing a target of 227, Raina’s 25-ball 87 helped CSK stay in the game till the very end, but unfortunately it went in vain.
2. Mahendra Singh Dhoni – 20 balls
The second mention on our list is the man himself, CSK’s messiah Mahendra Singh Dhoni. In the eliminator clash against Mumbai Indians in 2013, he scored a 20-ball half-century.
Batting firstr, CSK lost Raina and Murali Vijay early. Mike Hussy and Subramaniam Badrinath formed a good partnership, and once they were gone, it was the ‘Thala’ show. His knock helped CSk score over 180, which was too big for MI to chase.
3. Sam Billings – 21 balls
This mention might surprise everyone, because unlike Raina and Dhoni, Billings is a player who played only a handful of games for CSK. But when the English batsman faced KKR in 2018, it was raining fours and sixes. Batting first, KKR scored a massive 202. Andre Russel himself got a fiery half-century in the blink of an eye.
Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson gave CSK a good start, and Raina and Dhoni later capitalized on it. However, CSK were still some way off their target. Billings played a blinder of a knock, scoring 56 runs in just 23 games. He struck a couple of boundaries, and as many as 5 sixes. His knock helped CSK get over the line.
4. Faf du Plessis – 22 balls
Raina and Billings are no longer a part of CSK, while Dhoni’s form has taken a dip. However, this South African is still one of the most consistent performers of the IPL.
Faf scored a 22-ball half-century against KXIP at Cuttack, way back in 2014. Batting first, Glenn Maxwell was the first to register a fiery fifty on the night. Faf du Plessis pulled off something similar, but his 52 runs went in vain as CSK lost the game.
5. Michael Hayden – 22 balls
For this mention, we have to go back to 2009 for a match between CSK and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Michael Hayden and Parthiv Patel formed the opening pair for the ‘Whistle Podu’ army back then.
Batting first, Hayden started off his innings in the fifth gear. He got his half-century in 22 balls, as CSK amassed a big total of 179. Hayden struck 9 fours in this match, as CSK registered a huge victory. Royal Challengers Bangalore were all out for just 87.
