Suresh Raina is one of the finest Indian cricketers especially in limited-overs format. His ability to take the attack to the opposition, build an innings while also going for the big shots made him a class apart. However, like it happens with every sportsman, during the twilight of his Indian Premier League (IPL) career, there was a phase when he struggled to bat as fluently as the 'Chinna Thala' Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans were used to seeing over the years. As a result, CSK did have to start looking beyond him.
However, in a big revealation, Raina has disclosed that CSK captain MS Dhoni had consulted him before Robin Uthappa replaced him in the Playing XI in IPL 2021. He said that it was he himself who convinced Dhoni to go for Uthappa and give him the rest of the matches in the season.
"When MS Dhoni and I talked, I suggested him that 'you should try Robin Uthappa'. He (Dhoni) took permission from me to play you and I said him that 'he is the guy to give you the final, trust me'," Raina told Uthappa on JioCinema.
"MS Dhoni said that 'see we have played since 2008 but I want to win this season. Now, you tell me what to do'. I said 'play Robin at number 3 and make sure he is in the playing XI till final. If you win, CSK will win. Whether I play or him, Robin and Raina are same'," he added.
The rest, as they say, is history. CSK did not look back from there and Uthappa played a crucial role in helping CSK achieve success in the business end of the tournament. He ended up acculmulating 115 runs across the four matches including a 31 off 15 balls in the final against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in which they registered a win by 27 runs to lift their fourth title.