The Chennai Super Kings are one of the most popular teams in the IPL history. The Chennai-based franchise finished in the Top 4 in each of its first ten seasons in the league. Besides, the Super Kings have captured the coveted title in three seasons and never finished last.
One of the main reasons behind their success has been the performance of their bowlers. Skipper MS Dhoni knows how to maximize his resources, and all of the bowlers have performed decently for Chennai. Economy rate is a crucial thing in T20 cricket. If a bowler delivers an economical spell, the opposition team will automatically come under pressure.
In this article today, we will look at the five most economical spells bowled by the Chennai Super Kings bowlers in the history of the Indian Premier League.
(Please Note: Bowlers who bowled at least two overs in a match qualify for this list.)
5. Moeen Ali: 3-0-7-3, Economy rate 2.33
Moeen Ali played his first season for the Chennai Super Kings in the year 2021. The English all-rounder performed brilliantly in the batting and the bowling departments.
Ali brought his ‘A’ game to the table in the bowling unit during the game against the Rajasthan Royals. The right-arm off-spinner bowled three overs, conceding only seven runs and taking three wickets. Interestingly, he bowled this spell on the flat pitch of Wankhede Stadium.
4. Imran Tahir: 4-1-9-3, Economy rate 2.25
It was the first match of IPL 2019, where the Chennai Super Kings battled the Royal Challengers Bangalore. CSK were the defending champions then, and they opened their new campaign in style with a fantastic performance at home.
South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir was the star performer at the MA Chidambaram Stadium that night. He bowled four overs for the MS Dhoni-led outfit, picking up three wickets and giving away only nine runs. Tahir scalped the wickets of Shivam Dube, Navdeep Saini and Yuzvendra Chahal.
3. Most economical spell by a pacer for CSK in IPL history – Ben Hilfenhaus: 4-1-8-2, Economy rate 2
Ben Hilfenhaus achieved much success during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings. Although he did not have a long IPL career, the Aussie bowler bowled brilliantly for CSK.
In a match against the Rajasthan Royals during IPL 2012, Hilfenhaus bowled an excellent spell of 2/8. He dismissed Rahul Dravid and Shane Watson, and he was adjudged the Man of the Match after CSK won by four wickets.
2. Muttiah Muralitharan: 4-0-8-2, Economy rate 2
Conditions in South Africa generally do not assist the spin bowlers, but Muttiah Muralitharan bowled a superb spell of 2/8 for CSK in IPL 2009. It came against Kings XI Punjab in the league stage.
Batting first, CSK could only score 116 runs in the match at Durban. While 117 is not a big target, Muralitharan’s economical spell made life difficult for Punjab batsmen. Eventually, CSK won by 24 runs.
1. Most economical spell by a CSK bowler in IPL history – Ravichandran Ashwin: 2-0-3-2, Economy rate 1
Ravichandran Ashwin holds the record for the most economical spell by a CSK bowler in IPL history. Ashwin was a match-winner for the Super Kings in the first eight seasons.
He bowled this magical spell of 2/3 in IPL 2014 against Delhi in Abu Dhabi. He dismissed opposition captain Dinesh Karthik and Mohammed Shami in his two-over spell. His spell helped CSK win by 93 runs.