Chennai Super Kings qualified for the playoffs stage of the IPL 2018 as expected and now are waiting for the remaining games of the league stages. Suresh Raina, CSK’s batting lynchpin explained the needs of having family around a long tournament like IPL.
He was speaking at the book launch of Boria Majumdar's Eleven Goods and a Billion Indians in Delhi.
"Having a girl child is a blessing for everyone. When you have daughter you feel relaxed. Earlier when we used to go for tournaments we couldn't find time to spend with the family but now the franchises look after your kids and wives," Raina said.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the franchises in the Indian Premier League made a conscious effort to look after the families of the players which has made life easier for players.
Raina also explained that with players and their wives having face to face discussions, the no. of arguments between the couples have gone down.
"The wives they meet each other and go for shopping. And then we players get the time to plan our cricket schedule accordingly. Earlier, we used to communicate with our wives on phone which used to result in arguments after a few days," said the CSK batsman.
"But now having face-to-face conversations with them is much better (laughs). It's a great feeling when you get time to spend with the loved ones and then you can express yourself on the field much better," added Raina.
Raina was also happy to be back with Chennai Super Kings.
"The owners are wonderful people. That means we do not have any extra pressure and any extra baggage with us. We just need to focus on our cricket and go out in the middle and do our best. Michael Hussey and L Balaji, who are now coaches, had also played with us. The system, the core is still the same. So along with the brand, the loyalty has also remained unchanged," Raina told indiatoday.in.
Raina has scored 315 runs from 11 matches at an average of 35.00. He has hit three fifties, with his highest being 75 not out. CSK face Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi next.
