Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vice-captain Suresh Raina gave the franchise a huge shock when it was revealed that he had decided to leave for India even before the IPL 2020 season got underway. Shane Watson even put out a video for him calling him the ‘heart of CSK’.
Raina recently suffered a personal tragedy that happened in Punjab, where robbers attacked the house of Raina’s aunt and uncle, leaving his 58-year-old dead and aunt and other members of the family in hospital with various injuries.
Apart from that the fact that 13 CSK members including two players were found COVID-19 positive and strict regulations led to Suresh Raina being uncomfortable in Dubai and he decided to return back to India for the sake of his two children, as per reports in Dainik Jagran.
IPL 2020: Suresh Raina reveals the reason why he returned to India and will miss IPL 13
However, Outlook India has come out with the real reason why Suresh Raina left CSK in a lurch, in an interview with none other than franchise owner N Srinivasan, who said Raina's sudden exit left the team in a bit of shock but skipper Dhoni "was in complete control of the situation."
It is learnt that ever since CSK landed in Dubai on August 21, Raina was unhappy with the hotel room he was given. The veteran all-rounder was finding the stiff protocols of the bio-bubble claustrophobic and wanted a similar room that Dhoni had been provided. He was unhappy with not having proper balconies.
Dhoni could not pacify Raina and everything spun out of control. And the news of 13 CSK members testing COVID-19 positive was the last straw for Raina, who opted out of IPL 2020.
"Cricketers are like prima donnas ... like the temperamental actors of the olden days. Chennai Super Kings have always been like a family and all seniors players have learnt to co-exist. My thinking is that if you are reluctant or not happy, go back. I don't force anyone to do anything ... sometimes success gets into your head," Srinivasan said.
Srinivasan also mentioned that he talked to MS Dhoni, who remained calm as ever.
"I spoke to MS (Dhoni) and he has assured me that even if the numbers go up, there was nothing to worry. He spoke to the players through a zoom call and asked them to remain safe. You really don't know who is a passive carrier," Srinivasan said.
"I have got a solid captain. Dhoni is simply unfazed by anything. That is giving everyone in the team a lot of confidence," Srinivasan said.
Srinivasan also called Raina’s sudden exit a huge chance for young Ruturaj Gaikwad, who he thinks can become a big star. However, the CSK boss felt that Raina might want to rethink his decision.
"The season has not begun yet and Raina will certainly realize what he is missing and certainly all the money (a salary of 11 crores per season) he is going to lose," the CSK boss said.
(Outlook India inputs)
