New Delhi: In the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 Mega-Auction, MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought back their core and didn't make much of a change from the combination that worked for them in a largely successful 2018-21 cycle.
After the auction got over, social media was set abuzz over the outcome of the grand event. Ex-India batter Suresh Raina, popularly called Mr. IPL for becoming synonymous with the T20 tournament, went unsold as the four time IPL winners did not retain him in IPL 2022 auction.
Apart from leading Gujarat Lions IPL team in IPL 2016 and 2017 season, Raina has been one of the most consistent performers for CSK ever since the tournament started in 2008. He has missed IPL 2020 season due to personal reasons. Raina returned to play for CSK for IPL 2021, but there was a significant dip in his run-scoring ability. The batter, who was IPL's maximum run-getter at one point, had his worst season in IPL 2021 as he could score just 160 runs off 12 games.
Also, doubts over his fitness and poor form resulted in Raina being unsold in the IPL 2022 Auction.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have now paid an emotional farewell to their beloved Suresh Raina, also known as 'Chinna Thala' (a leader's right hand) in Tamil Nadu. The franchise posted a video on their official Instagram and Twitter handle.
Emotional Fans continue to lash out at CSK over ignoring Raina in IPL 2022 Auction
Former NZ pace bowler Simon Doull had told Cricbuzz that CSK did not pick Raina in IPL 2022 auction as he lost MS Dhoni's loyalty during IPL 2020.
"Raina lost MS Dhoni's loyalty in the UAE(IPL 2020). We don't need to go on and talk about why it was and all that. There's enough speculation about that. He lost the loyalty of the team and he lost the loyalty of MS Dhoni. Once you do that, you're very unlikely to be welcomed back into the team," Doull told Cricbuzz.
CSK AT IPL 2022 AUCTION
Purse entered: INR 48 crore
Purse left: INR 2.95 crore