Former Indian cricketer and popular cricket analyst Aakash Chopra believe that Suresh Raina will play in overseas T20 leagues in the near future. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 15, 2020, shortly after MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket.
However, while MS Dhoni is still leading the Chennai Super Kings’ franchise in the Indian Premier League, on the other hand, Raina was released by the franchise ahead of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League and wasn’t signed by any side in the player’s auction. Following this, Raina took the commentary job with the official broadcasters.
Aakash Chopra On Suresh Raina’s Return
Meanwhile, former cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that if not in the IPL, Raina might look forward to playing in the overseas leagues and showing his potential. Speaking in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash said:
“When Indian franchises buy all six teams in the CSA T20 league, it becomes a totally Indian league. Indian franchises are there in the UAE T20 league as well. If it keeps growing like this, franchises might want their players to play in different places. I actually see Suresh Raina play.”
Chopra feels that if Raina makes himself available, he will be the most sought-after player. He said: “I see some of the Indian players playing in these leagues very soon. Those who are not playing in the IPL, they are all available, but Raina is a very interesting case. A lot of people might want to spend a lot of money on him.”
Suresh Raina was not retained by CSK
It has to be noted that, Indian cricketers who play in the Indian Premier League are not allowed to take part in any other T20 league around the world. However, now with the IPL franchises expanding their wings in several overseas leagues as well, there could be a chance that going forward, many Indian players will be allowed to take part in these leagues.
The former Chennai Super Kings superstar Suresh Raina has been one of the most consistent players in IPL history. He has scored 5528 runs in 204 matches in the history of IPL. He is 4th on the list of leading run-scorers in the IPL and is only behind Virat Kohli (6283), Shikhar Dhawan (5784), and Rohit Sharma (5611). He was also the first cricketer to reach 5000 runs.
He is fondly called ‘Mr. IPL’ as his records speak for themselves. He has scored more than 400 runs in almost all the seasons he has played for Chennai Super Kings. With his consistent performances in the IPL, he has helped the franchise in winning the 4 prestigious trophies.
After getting unsold at the IPL 2022 mega-auctions, Suresh Raina had made a special request to the BCCI. He had said:
“I hope that BCCI plans something with franchise leagues that whoever player is not in contract with the BCCI, then he should be allowed to play in leagues outside India. I feel there are many quality players who can learn a lot from playing outside. Whichever league – you can allow us two leagues where the BCCI can tell us to play there since we are not in any IPL team, or in the international team”
