Chennai Super Kings Establish Inaugural Hall of Fame, Inducting Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) officially established their franchise Hall of Fame on Sunday, selecting Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden as the first two inductees. The announcement occurred at the MA Chidambaram Stadium during the franchise’s “Roar’26” fan engagement event ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season.
Suresh Raina: Consistent Run Production
Known affectionately as ‘Chinna Thala’ by the Chennai fanbase, Suresh Raina anchored the CSK batting lineup from the league’s inception in 2008 through the 2021 season. He contributed heavily to four IPL championship campaigns in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021. Raina also secured the Player of the Tournament award during the 2014 Champions League T20 run, scoring 234 runs to help Chennai win the international tournament.
- Total Franchise Runs: 5,529
- Centuries: 2
- Half-Centuries: 38
Matthew Hayden: Setting the Opening Standard
Matthew Hayden represented the franchise from 2008 to 2010, establishing an aggressive template for opening batters in the T20 format. The Australian opener won the Orange Cap during the 2009 season by accumulating 572 runs, making him the first CSK player to earn the award. He concluded his tenure with an IPL championship win in 2010.
Inaugural Inductee Statistics
| Player | CSK Tenure | Total Runs | 50s / 100s | Championships Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suresh Raina | 2008-2021 | 5,529 | 38 / 2 | 4 IPL, 2 CLT20 |
| Matthew Hayden | 2008-2010 | 1,117 | 8 / 0 | 1 IPL |
Roar’26 Event and Upcoming Schedule
The inauguration ceremony featured attendance from several notable former CSK players, including Muttiah Muralitharan, Ambati Rayudu, Lakshmipathy Balaji, S Badrinath, and Michael Hussey. The gathering served as a precursor to the upcoming tournament schedule.
CSK opens their 2026 season against the Rajasthan Royals on Monday, March 30. The match is scheduled to take place at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.