Kamal Ghorui
Chennai Super Kings on Sunday unveiled a major milestone in their history by inducting Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden into the franchise’s inaugural Hall of Fame. The honour was announced during their fan engagement event “Roar’26” held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Raina, one of the most iconic figures in CSK’s journey, represented the franchise from its inception in 2008 until 2021. He played a central role in four title-winning campaigns in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021. Popularly known as ‘Chinna Thala’ among supporters, he was also part of the team’s Champions League T20 triumphs in 2010 and 2014, where he earned the Player of the Tournament award in the latter after scoring 234 runs.He remains CSK’s leading run-scorer, amassing 5529 runs, including two centuries and 38 half-centuries across his career with the franchise.Hayden, meanwhile, was associated with CSK between 2008 and 2010 and contributed to their early success. The former Australian opener was part of the 2010 IPL-winning side and had earlier claimed the Orange Cap in the 2009 season after scoring 572 runs, becoming the first CSK player to achieve the feat.In his time with the franchise, Hayden scored 1117 runs, registering eight half-centuries.The event also saw the presence of several former CSK players, including Muttiah Muralitharan, Ambati Rayudu, Lakshmipathy Balaji, S Badrinath and Michael Hussey, adding to the celebratory atmosphere at the franchise’s landmark occasion. CSK will take on Rajasthan Royals in their opening match on Monday, 30 March, at Guwahati.
