Suresh Raina, the former Indian cricketer, said that he doesn’t have any regrets after pulling out of the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League where he should have represented Chennai Super Kings again.
Suresh Raina’s departure left a massive void in CSK’s middle-order and MS Dhoni’s men failed to make the playoffs for the first time in the history of the league. Suresh Raina is also the leading run-scorer for CSK after making his debut back in 2008 having scored 4527 runs in 164 matches averaging 33.29.
Suresh Raina Said He Did Not Have Regrets For Not Playing IPL 2020 As He Spent Time With His Family
On his decision to withdraw his name for the cash-rich IPL, Suresh Raina stated that he needed adequate time with his loved ones. He cherished the moments with his family. Moreover, the Uttar Pradesh-born cricketer talked about the gruesome incident where few of his relatives lost their lives in Pathankot during a robbery attempt which was another reason for his withdrawal.
“Why would there be any regret. I spent time with my kids and was there for my family. I really wanted to come back to my family. There was an incident in Punjab and they needed me (his uncle and cousins in Pathankot were murdered during a robbery),” Suresh Raina was quoted as saying to The Times of India.
“My wife needed me here, too, during the pandemic. I have been playing for 20 years so I know I will do it again. But when your family needs you, you have to be there. I felt that was the wise thing to do at that time,” the left-hander added.
Suresh Raina who retired alongside MS Dhoni at 33 years of age from international cricket on 15th August 2020 was supposed to play IPL 2020 before he withdrew citing personal reasons. He and veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh’s withdrawal for personal reasons dealt a major blow to CSK. The team was placed 8th at one stage before successive wins in last 3 matches saw them placed at 7th spot.
Suresh Raina Has Represented Gujarat Lions Besides Chennai Super Kings
Earlier, N Srinivasan, the owner of the Chennai Super Kings, expressed his displeasure after Suresh Raina withdrew from the prestigious tournament in the United Arab Emirates. He stated that senior cricketers have learned to co-exist in CSK which is like a family.
“I don’t force anyone to do anything … sometimes success gets into your head. Cricketers are like prima donnas … like the temperamental actors of the olden days. Chennai Super Kings have always been like a family and all senior players have learned to co-exist,” Srinivasan told Outlook.
In 193 IPL matches, Suresh Raina has scored 5368 runs at an average and strike-rate of 33.34 and 137.15 respectively. He also has one century and 38 half-centuries besides his name. In 2016 and 2017, he was a part of the Gujarat Lions and played 29 matches for the defunct franchise when CSK were suspended for two years alongside Rajasthan Royals.