Suresh Raina's scores in the last five IPL matches are 4, 17*, 11, 2 and 3.
South African cricketing legend Shaun Pollock opined on this issue of Raina’s disappointing batting performances as he believes the the reason behind it could be due to some underlying niggle the left-hander is facing.
“He hasn't been able to find his touch. He looks like he might be carrying a bit of a niggle, he doesn't look that pacey, that's what we are so used to: brilliant fielding over the years, contributing with his off-spin and smashing the ball out of the ground; we haven't seen that. No surprise that they promoted him to No.3; that was in a bid to get him some form under the belt,” Pollock told Cricbuzz.
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Even though Raina started the first-leg of IPL 14 with a superb half-century against Delhi Capitals (DC), the left-hand batter has had an abysmal second-leg of IPL 2021 with scores of 4, 17*, 11, 2 and 3 in his last five games.
Thus, Pollock later on talked about the former India batter Suresh Raina getting replaced by wicket-keeper batter Robin Uthappa in the CSK squad since the knockouts are just around the corner.
“I wonder if they will give Robin Uthappa a chance. CSK are a team that doesn't like to make big changes. The longer it goes on, the more you feel they can't actually make a change for the knockouts unless they make it sooner or later. I'm sure he will be keen to have a go. But if they keep winning, they will want everyone firing,” Pollock signed off.
After losing to RR by 7-wickets, MS Dhoni and Co. will be locking horns with Rishabh Pant’s DC on Monday (October 4) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)