Former Indian middle-order batter Suresh Raina is currently playing for the India Maharajas in the 3rd edition of the Legends League Cricket (LLC), which is taking place in Doha. Raina turned back the clock as he was seen in good touch during the team’s fourth league game on Wednesday (March 16).
Walking out to bat at no.4 against the World Giants, Raina top-scored for the Maharajas by making 49 runs off 41 balls. During his stay at the crease, he scored 2 boundaries and smashed 3 sixes. However, his effort didn’t prove to be enough in the end as Giants chased down the target of 137 runs in 18.4 overs for the loss of seven wickets.
This was Maharajas third defeat in the four games they have played so far. They are sitting at the bottom of the points table with just 2 points. While the team is having a forgettable campaign, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, and Raina have turned out to be the biggest positives of the side.
The trio has impressed one and all with their stunning batting performances. While Gambhir has scored back-to-back fifties, Uthappa remained unbeaten on 88 from 39 balls during the team’s third match.
Talking about Raina, he made everyone nostalgic as he played a stunning knock of 49 runs.
After his superb show, a reporter asked him a million-dollar question about his comeback. At the post-match conference, a reporter asked: “Everyone wants you back in the IPL after your performance tonight in Legends League Cricket.”
Responding to this, Raina came up with an epic reply that left everyone in splits. He replied:
“Main Suresh Raina hoon. Main Shahid Afridi nahi hoon. Retirement le chuka hoon (I’m Suresh Raina, not Shahid Afridi. I’ve taken retirement)” and burst into laughter.
The video of the same has been making rounds on the internet. Watch it here:
Suresh Raina with a hilarious comment there. Loved it, and I'm sure Shahid Afridi would love it too 😂❤️ #LegendsLeagueCricket pic.twitter.com/ZnVUMBXkCq
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) March 15, 2023
For the unversed, Shahid Afridi, a former all-rounder for Pakistan, made many comebacks from retirement during his playing career, which is why Raina used his example.
Just a few minutes after legendary former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement, in August 2020, Raina announced his retirement from international cricket as well. Before being discharged by the team before the 2022 season, the southpaw played for Chennai Super Kings for two more seasons.
