The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) will be resuming in UAE from September 19 after its suspension owing to the COVID-19 condition in India earlier this year.
As the cash-rich league will be resumed in the middle east just like IPL 2020, all franchises have traveled with all the available players to UAE and have begun their outdoor training after completing the mandatory quarantine.
The three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Suresh Raina are a part of this IPL contingent in Abu Dhabi where they will be playing the second-leg opener against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) on 19 September.
Raina who hails from Muradnagar in Uttar Pradesh, in his recent interaction with RJ Raunac, revealed an IPL franchise he would represent if not the Chennai-based franchise.
The southpaw who picked Delhi Capitals (DC) then justified his decision by pointing out his hometown being closer to Delhi along with the number of friends he has in the DC dressing room.
India to play six white-ball games as ECB announces England men’s team fixtures for 2022 home summer
“Delhi hai! Ghar bhi pass hai, Muradnagar se pass hai, aur kaafi dost hai us team mein. So, I'd prefer Delhi, (Delhi! It is close to my home, Muradnagar and I also have many friends in that team. So, I'd prefer Delhi.)” the former India cricketer said.
The 34-year-old was then asked about with whom he wouldn’t share a seat on a bus or flight, to which the left-hand batsman took India off-spinner R Ashwin’s name and also candidly said that he would sleep peacefully if Ashwin was not around.
“Kyuki bohot zyada baatien hoti hai kabhi kabhi. Cricket bohot zyada baat karta hai. Flight mein you want to take nap, ya rest karna hai. Waise he is a total gentleman, aisa nai hai but kabhi lagta hai aap gusse mein hai ya kuch karna hai to lagta hai agar aas pas Ashwin nahi hai to phir main so sakta hoon.” Raina said.
(Translation: Because there are a lot of conversations sometimes. He talks a lot about cricket. It is an issue during flights when you want to take a nap or take some rest. He is a total gentleman otherwise, but on occasions when you are angry or want to do something, then it feels like I can sleep peacefully if Ashwin is not around.)
Thus, with the UAE-leg of IPL 2021 getting underway in this September-October window, it will be interesting to see how MS Dhoni and Co. perform who ended the first-leg by taking the second spot on the points table with 5 wins under their belt in 7 matches.
