Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has opined that ex-India cricketers like Suresh Raina and many others might soon be seen playing in overseas T20 leagues.
The 35-year-old Indian cricketer announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 15, 2020, shortly after MS Dhoni’s announcement of bidding goodbye to international cricket.
He went unsold in the IPL 2022 mega auction after being released by his franchise Chennai Super Kings after the IPL 2021.
According to Aakash, if Raina is not in the scheme of things as far as the IPL is concerned, then he might look to play in overseas leagues and show his potential.
Speaking in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash said, "When Indian franchises buy all six teams in the CSA T20 league, it becomes a totally Indian league. Indian franchises are there in the UAE T20 league as well. If it keeps growing like this, franchises might want their players to play in different places. I actually see Suresh Raina play."
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Chopra further asserted that Suresh Raina, who played 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is for India from 2005-2018, should be a big draw for overseas T20 leagues if he makes himself available.
"I see some of the Indian players playing in these leagues very soon. Those who are not playing in the IPL, they are all available, but Raina is a very interesting case. A lot of people might want to spend a lot of money on him,” Chopra added.
Currently, Indian cricketers who play in the IPL are not allowed to take part in any other T20 league around the world. But with IPL franchises buying teams in other T20 leagues, there could be a chance in the future that Indian players might play in foreign T20 leagues.