Former India cricketer Suresh Raina showed an excellent sense of humor when asked about whether he might return to professional cricket thanks to his good performances in the ongoing Legends League Cricket Masters tournament in Doha, Qatar.

A host of former India cricketers including Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Murali Vijay among others are participating in the India Maharajas team in the tournament that features two more teams – Asia Lions and World Giants.

On Wednesday, the Maharajas faced a narrow defeat to the Giants, enduring a third loss in four games as they finished third in the table. Raina was one of the better performers for India Maharajas in the game, however, as he smashed 49 off 41 deliveries, helping Maharajas make 136/9 in 20 overs.

Raina, then, also took a wicket in the only over he bowled, removing a dangerous Chris Gayle on 57.

IPL 2023: WATCH – “He can play the IPL next year as well,” Suresh Raina on CSK skipper MS Dhoni

After the game, Raina attended the post-match presser and he was asked if he would contemplate making a return to professional cricket.

The 36-year-old had a rather savage response: “I'm Suresh Raina, not Shahid Afridi! I've taken the retirement.”

Here is the video:

Notably, Suresh Raina retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020 minutes after MS Dhoni announced his retirement. After going unsold in the IPL 2022 auction, Suresh Raina called time on his IPL career as well.   

Shahid Afridi captains the Asia Lions team in the tournament, who will meet the World Giants in the final group game of the league on Thursday; India Maharajas will then meet the second-placed side for a place in the final of the tournament, which takes place on March 20.