Suresh Raina has made only 123 runs in IPL 14 so far.
Former Indian cricketers Ajay Jadeja and Ashish Nehra feel that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Suresh Raina is looking out of sorts and uncomfortable at the crease in the ongoing IPL 2021.
After having a forgettable IPL 2020, Chennai Super Kings are among one of the top teams in the IPL 14 so far. Having won five out of their seven games, the MS Dhoni-led side is placed on the top of the points table.
The contributions from the batting order backed up with the fantastic bowling and amazing fielding have helped CSK earn important 10 points.
IPL 2021: Despite focus on Jadeja, Suresh Raina has been setting the tone for CSK- Scott Styris
Even after the loss against Mumbai Indians (MI) in their latest encounter CSK still retained the top spot in the points table courtesy of their superior net run rate.
With almost every batsman in the superior form, Suresh Raina has, however, found it difficult to get going in this season. Batting at the unusual position at No.4, the left-handed batsman started his IPL campaign with a bang scoring 54 off 36 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the first match.
Since then, the southpaw has failed to carry his form and registered the scores of 8, 18, 24, 17 not out, and 2 in the tournament.
Talking about the same, former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja raised concerns over Raina’s form and said that the left-handed batman is looking out of the place.
“Raina is the only batsman in the CSK XI who is not looking in form. He is just looking out of place,” Ajay Jadeja said.
While addressing the same, former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra while having contrasting views said that dropping down one position can't make much of a difference in a batsman's form. He argued that irrespective of his batting position, Raina hasn't looked at his best in the tournament.
“He has just been pushed down from number 3 to number 4. That is just one position down. It cannot make such a difference. It is not as if he has been moved to number 5 or 6. It is not about numbers. Raina is not looking himself out in the middle.” Ashish Nehra said.
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Nehra further said that Raina played very careless cricket and seemed to be in a hurry against MI.
He added that he should’ve played himself in and later accelerated and being a senior batsman he should understand the situation and play accordingly.
“He played a very careless shot just after CSK lost two quick wickets. There was no need for it. He left CSK in a vulnerable position. He seemed in a hurry. There was no need to take a risk at that stage. He should have played himself in and later accelerated. Raina is a senior batsman and you expect him to understand the situation and play accordingly,” he said.
Batting at No.3 Suresh Raina however, has been the leading run scorer for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL. A drop down in the position hasn’t brought any laurels to the veteran batsman. In 201 IPL matches, the southpaw has amassed 5494 runs at an average of 33.08.
(NEWS 18 inputs)