Suresh Raina is back in CSK colors after missing the IPL 2020 season.
Pragyan Ojha, former Indian spinner and the Indian Cricketers Association’s (ICA) representative to the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council (GC), believes that the return of Suresh Raina will be a big boost for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming IPL 2021.
Raina skipped IPL 2020 with several speculations about his relationship with the franchise and its captain MS Dhoni making headlines after he returned home from the UAE just before the start of the IPL 2020 started. However, CSK quashed all rumors by retaining Raina ahead of IPL 2021 auction.
Last year, the three-time IPL champions CSK missed a berth in the playoffs for the first time in the history of the cash-rich T20 league and Ojha reiterated Raina’s absence played a role in the failure.
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Well, the left-hander has now returned to the Yellow Brigade and is gearing to play in the IPL 14 and the former spinner has pointed out that Raina had been a pillar of strength for CSK over the years, not just because of his all-round abilities, but also being a major source of support to Dhoni.
The 34-year-old, who played 24 Tests, 18 ODIs, and 6 T20Is for India before retiring from all forms of cricket in August 2020, further noted that Raina is the cushion Dhoni always had, saying the two old mates have a very good understanding between them and that really helps the CSK in the IPL.
Ojha told Sports Today: “Last year, CSK was missing Suresh Raina. He was the cushion that MSD always had. At any point, Dhoni could fall back on Raina and Raina used to deliver. He has delivered for more than a decade now. He has done so much for CSK. He is one of the core members. I have always spoken about the core members of a successful team. With CSK, Raina has been one of them.”
Meanwhile, Raina has not played competitive cricket since IPL 2019 and the IPL GC member admitted that it would not be easy to return to peak form after such a long hiatus, but backed the CSK star to do well and score big runs for the franchise in the upcoming IPL 14.
Ojha further explained, “He will just go out and play the way he has been. It's as simple as that. When I say it, it sounds simple but it is not. But that is what he should be doing. That is what all of us expect, and I am very sure he will be eager to go out there and perform and get those big runs for CSK.”
He signed off by saying, “I think this year, Raina will add a lot of value not only with the bat, with the fielding and also discussing few important things about strategy during a crisis (with Dhoni).”
Noteworthy, CSK will begin their IPL 2021 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 10 in Mumbai.