Chennai Super Kings have taken a major step in celebrating their legacy by announcing Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden as the first inductees into the franchise’s newly launched Hall of Fame ahead of IPL 2026.
The induction took place during the CSK Roar event, where the team unveiled its plans for the upcoming season while also honouring its past heroes. The move formalises CSK’s rich history and recognises two players who played defining roles in shaping the team’s early success.
Raina’s legacy at CSK
Raina, often called “Mr IPL” for his consistency and impact, remains one of CSK’s most iconic figures. He was a core part of the side for over a decade and played a crucial role in multiple title-winning campaigns.
His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a strong scoring rate made him one of the most reliable middle-order batters in the league. His influence extended beyond numbers, as he helped build the team’s identity during its formative years.
Raina is among the highest run-scorers in IPL history, finishing with over 5,500 runs, including one century and 39 fifties across his career. For Chennai Super Kings, he scored over 4,600 runs, making him the franchise’s leading run-getter for several seasons. He maintained a strike rate of around 135, balancing consistency with intent in the middle order.
He was particularly effective in big games, scoring heavily in playoffs and finals, including key knocks in title-winning campaigns. Raina also holds the record for being among the first players to cross 5,000 IPL runs, underlining his longevity. Add to that his sharp fielding, with over 100 catches in the league, and his occasional leadership contributions, and he stands out as one of the most complete T20 players of his era. His long association with CSK made him a natural and undisputed choice for this honour.
Hayden’s impact in early years
Matthew Hayden’s inclusion highlights CSK’s recognition of overseas players who made a lasting impact in a short span. The former Australian opener scored 1,107 runs in the IPL at a strike rate of over 137, including eight fifties, and was one of the most dominant openers in the early seasons.
His standout campaign came in IPL 2009, where he won the Orange Cap with 572 runs in 12 matches, striking at over 144 and setting the tone at the top of the order. In the 2010 title-winning season, he continued to play a crucial role, scoring 346 runs and providing strong starts that allowed the middle order to build big totals.
Known for his power hitting, Hayden regularly attacked in the powerplay and forced oppositions onto the back foot early. His ability to combine consistency with aggression helped define CSK’s batting approach in their formative years and made him one of the most impactful overseas players in the franchise’s history.
The introduction of the Hall of Fame marks a new chapter for CSK as they look to preserve and celebrate their history. By honouring Raina and Hayden at the CSK Roar event, the franchise has set the tone for recognising players who have left a lasting impact on its journey.
