Chennai Super Kings (CSK) proudly inducted two of their iconic players, Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden, into the franchise’s inaugural Hall of Fame. The announcement was made during CSK’s mega fan celebration, Roar’26, held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, March 22. The historic move marks the first time CSK has formally recognized its legends.
Fondly known as ‘Chinna Thala’, Suresh Raina has been synonymous with CSK since the inception of the franchise in 2008 and represented the team till 2021. During his illustrious tenure, Raina played a key role in CSK’s four IPL triumphs in 2010, 20181, 20181, 20181.
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He also contributed to two Champions League T20 victories in 2010 and 2014 and won the Player of the Tournament award in 2014 for scoring 234 runs.
Raina, the cornerstone of CSK’s batting line-up, remains the franchise’s leading run-scorer with 5,529 runs from 200 matches and boasts an average of 33.10, including two hundreds and 38 half-centuries.
RAINA, HAYDEN SET BENCHMARKS
Australian legend Matthew Hayden represented CSK from 2008 to 2010 and left an indelible mark during his short tenure. A member of the 2010 IPL winning team, Hayden also became the first CSK player to win the Orange Cap in 2009, scoring 572 runs in the season. In three years with the franchise, he amassed 1,117 runs, including eight half-centuries, with a highest score of 93.
By inducting Raina and Hayden, Chennai Super Kings not only recognizes their extraordinary contributions but also sets the benchmark for celebrating excellence and inspiring generations of players and fans alike.
For the upcoming season, Super Kings will begin their campaign on Monday, March 30 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
Last year, the five-time champions missed out on the playoffs, which meant CSK finished at the bottom of the table for the first time. This season they will be looking to bounce back and fight for their sixth title.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
March 22, 2026 11:00 PM IST
