Former India batsman Suresh Raina has now become a free agent and is all but certain to ply his trade in T20 leagues around the world. On Tuesday, the 35-year-old finally announced his retirement from Indian cricket – which is domestic and the IPL.
Raina, who had already retired from international cricket in 2020, hasn’t played a game since IPL 2021; he was unsold in the IPL 2022 auction and missed last domestic season. So, in a way, this decision to bid adieu to Indian cricket was on the cards as this would allow Raina to feature in the upcoming season of the Road Safety World Series, and other leagues around the globe as well.
Suresh Raina can now play in T20 leagues in South Africa, UAE, Sri Lanka
According to the BCCI rules, a men’s Indian cricketer cannot feature in leagues other than the IPL until he’s an active part of cricket under the board. Now that Raina has left domestic and IPL, he could play anywhere in the world where he will be picked.
Raina expressed his desire to continue playing for a few more years. The left-hander also revealed that he’s been in contact with franchises from other leagues, including the ones in South Africa and the UAE, both countries now having their own top-tier T20 franchise tournament from next January. He could also now turn up for CPL, BBL, and The Hundred if picked in their drafts.
“I want to continue playing cricket for two or three years,” he was quoted as saying by Dainik Jagran. “There are some exciting youngsters who are coming through the ranks of Uttar Pradesh cricket. I have already taken my No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA). I have informed BCCI secretary Jay Shah and vice-president Rajiv Shukla about my decision.
“I will play in the Road Safety Series. T20 franchises from South Africa, Sri Lanka and UAE have contacted me but I am yet to take any decision.”
Suresh Raina’s retirement announcement:
A huge number of tributes started to pour in for Mr IPL as soon as Suresh Raina announced his retirement from the IPL on Tuesday. Within hours his tweet got over 100,000 likes.
“It has been an absolute honour to represent my country & state UP. I would like to announce my retirement from all formats of Cricket. I would like to thank BCCI, UPCA (Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association), Chennai Super Kings, Rajiv Shukla sir and all my fans for their support and unwavering faith in my abilities,” the 35-year-old Raina wrote on Twitter.
It has been an absolute honour to represent my country & state UP. I would like to announce my retirement from all formats of Cricket. I would like to thank @BCCI, @UPCACricket, @ChennaiIPL, @ShuklaRajiv sir & all my fans for their support and unwavering faith in my abilities 🇮🇳
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 6, 2022
