When Suresh Raina decided to opt out of the 2020 IPL in the UAE, heads turned. Initially it was said that it was a personal matter that forced him to make the decision, but a report in Outlook suggests that there was a rift between him and MS Dhoni.
N Srinivasan, head of India Cements, which owns CSK, has said that the team will get through the episode, while saying that “success gets into your head.”
The murder of a relative by thieves in the early morning of August 20 in a town in Pathankot in Punjab has been cited as the “personal” reason for Raina’s departure, but it may not be entirely true.
A report posted in Outlook on Sunday indicated that Raina was unhappy with the hotel room they gave her. It is said that Raina found the rules of the claustrophobic bio-bubble and wanted a room with a balcony like the captain. According to the report, Srinivasan said that Raina’s sudden departure left the team a bit shocked, but that Captain Dhoni “was in full control of the situation.”
The problem that ‘Raina’s room does not have proper balconies’ became a flash point when the CSK team quarantined themselves at the team hotel. A total of 13 members of the touring group, including two players, turned positive, which was cited as one of Raina’s concerns when she left the tournament.
Also Read: Suresh Raina’s Journey: From Leaving Kashmir for Safety to Being One of India’s Best Cricketers
“Cricketers are like prima donnas … like temperamental actors from the old days. Chennai Super Kings have always been like a family and all the older players have learned to coexist,” Srinivasan said.
Srinivasan said the team was trying to quickly get over the Raina episode, adding that MS Dhoni is not concerned about the situation at all.
Also read: Suresh Raina’s Uncle Killed by Thieves in Punjab’s Pathankot
“My opinion is that if you’re reluctant or unhappy, come back. I don’t force anyone to do anything … sometimes success gets into your head,” Srinivasan said.
“I spoke to MS (Dhoni) and he has assured me that even if the numbers go up, there is nothing to worry about. He spoke to the players via a zoom call and asked them to stay safe. You really don’t know who a passive carrier, “Srinivasan said.
According to Srinivasan, Raina will want to return before the season begins.
“The season has not started yet and Raina will certainly realize what she is losing and certainly all the money (a salary of 11 million rupees per season) that she is going to lose,” said the CSK chief.
On Saturday morning, CSK’s official Twitter account had announced Raina’s departure from the UAE while saying that “CSK offers full support to Suresh and his family during this time.”
Suresh Raina has returned to India for personal reasons and will not be available for the remainder of the IPL season. Chennai Super Kings offers full support to Suresh and his family during this time.
KS Viswanathan
CEO
– Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 29, 2020
Later that day, CSK starter Shane Watson took to Instagram to wish Raina the best and said he was the ‘heartbeat’ of the team.
The IPL is scheduled to begin on September 19 in the UAE.
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