Former India cricketer Suresh Raina, in a recent media interaction, has now revealed why he announced his decision to retire from international cricket right after MS Dhoni on 15 August 2020. Member of the 2011 World Cup winning squad, Raina talked about the bond he shares with his India captain, someone whom he played under and was deputy to at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
In a huge statement, Raina said that he plays for Dhoni first and then the Indian team. He revealed that he was part of the team led by Dhoni that dominated world cricket.
“We played so many matches together. I was fortunate to play with him for India, and with CSK. We got a lot of love. I've come from Ghaziabad, Dhoni from Ranchi. I played for MS Dhoni, then I played for the country. That's the connection. We've played so many finals, we won the World Cup. He's a great leader and a great human being,” Raina said while talking to Sports Tak.
Raina last featured in IPL 2021
There have been a few reports which have claimed that there were some differences between the two in IPL 2020 but nothing official have come from either Raina or Dhoni. The flamboyant stroke maker during his playing days last featured in the IPL in 2021 where he scored 160 runs in 12 matches. However, post that he was released by CSK and later went unsold in the auctions.
After hanging up his boots, Raina is spotted from time to time in the commentary box. He can also be seen in the expert panels of news channels whenever he is called upon to express his views on issues concerning Indian cricket.
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni is all set to lead CSK in IPL 2023. He has already started working on his fitness but is only facing the spinners at the nets to begin with, as the few videos which has surfaced online indicate. IPL 2023 is expected to begin in late March or early April.