It was last week when Chennai Super Kings’ star player Suresh Raina sensationally left the team ahead of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League in UAE and returned back to India citing personal reasons. The franchise also announced that Suresh Raina, who has been their batting mainstay for over the years had pulled out of the tournament.
Following the announcement, several theories and rumors started making rounds on social media, with some reports hinting that there was a rift in the CSK camp.
However, Suresh Raina has now himself cleared the air regarding the rumors ‘fabricated stories’. He also hinted at a possible return to the team for IPL 2020. In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz, Suresh Raina had said:
“You never know, you might see me in the camp again. First, I have to take care of my responsibilities here and then am ready.”
Now CSK owner N Srinivasan also opened up on Suresh Raina’s comeback in the team for IPL 2020. In an interview, he had said that it’s not his domain to decide whether the star player will return back to the team camp for IPL 2020 or not. He said that the final decision is on the captain and team management.
He also rubbished the rumors of rift with Suresh Raina and said that Raina is like his son. He said:
“I have treated him like one (son). The reason for CSK’s success in IPL over the years is because of the fact that the franchise never poked its nose into cricketing matters. India Cements has been running cricket since ’60s. I will always remain like that,”
He added:
“Look, please understand, that that’s not my domain (whether Raina will come back or not) at all. We own a team, we own the franchise but we do not own players. Team is ours but the players are not. I don’t own the players.
“I am not the cricket captain. I have never told them (team management) whom to play, whom to take in the auction, never. We have the greatest captain of all times. So, why shall I even interfere in cricketing matters?,”
Well, only time will tell whether Suresh Raina returns to UAE or not. Meanwhile, the much-awaited tournament kickstarts on 19th September in UAE.
