After Suresh Raina’s exit from the IPL, Chennai Super Kings owner N Srinivasan has said that the franchise is united and there is ‘no friction’ in the squad. Earlier, he had claimed that his statements were taken out of context related to Suresh Raini’s withdrawal.
N. Srinivasan had stated that Suresh Raina had pulled out of the tournament because of a hotel rift. He had said, Raina behaved like a ‘prima donna’ and said ‘he is missing and certainly all the money (a salary of 11 crores per season) he is going to lose’. However, the former BCCI and ICC chief was quick to clear his statement.
I respect Suresh Raina’s decision: N Srinivasan
While talking to The Hindu, he acknowledged Suresh Raina’s contribution and said that he has been an influential player for the yellow army for so many years.
“He has been so influential for CSK as a player. I acknowledge his enormous contribution. He has been with us for so many years.”
Srinivasan opined that he completely supports the former Indian cricketer’s decision. He added that he respects cricketers and the game much before the inception of the cash-rich league.
“If Raina now has opted out of this edition for personal reasons, I completely support his decision,” Srinivasan noted,
“Look, I will never speak ill of a cricketer. I respect players. I am a cricket lover myself. India Cements has always been supportive of the cricketers, much before the IPL came into existence.”
The team is solidly behind MS Dhoni: N Srinivasan
N Srinivasan is not in favour of interfering in the team management’s decision. He opines that CSK’s success rate is high because all the team’s decisions are left on the skipper and coach.
“Let me make one thing very clear. We own the franchise but not the players.”
“One of the key reasons for the tremendous success of CSK over the years is that the franchise doesn’t interfere in the cricketing affairs. That is left to the skipper and the coach.”
Asked about the most suitable cricketer to replace Raina in the playing eleven, Srinivasan said that the decision lies in the hand of CSK captain MS Dhoni. He has expressed that the team is ‘solidly behind Dhoni’.
“Now you are entering M.S. Dhoni’s area. He will take that decision. Like I said before, we don’t interfere in the cricketing affairs.
“The team is united and there is no friction in the squad. We have a strong captain in Dhoni. The team is solidly behind him,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, the CSK is under an extended quarantine period because of confirmed COVID-19 cases found in their camp after landing in Dubai. The IPL 2020 is scheduled to begin on 19th September.