Chennai Super Kings owner N Srininvasan said on Thursday that he cannot decide whether India’s batter Suresh Raina will return to the Indian Premier League this year. Raina, citing “personal reasons,” left the CSK camp in the United Arab Emirates last week and returned home. “It was a personal decision and I had to go back for my family. There was something that needed to be addressed immediately on the home front, ”Raina told Cricbuzz in an interview.
In the same interview, Raina hinted that she might decide to return to the UAE to be a part of this year’s tournament at some point. Former BCCI president Srinivasan was initially furious at Raina’s departure, but later softened her stance.
Also read: Suresh Raina reveals the reason behind the decision to withdraw from IPL 2020
“I have treated him like a (son). The reason for CSK’s success in IPL over the years stems from the fact that the franchise never stuck its nose in cricket matters. India Cements has been around cricket since the 1960s. I will always stay that way, “Srinivasan told PTI news agency.
Asked if he expects Raina to return this year, Srinivasan said the decision is out of his hands.
“Look, please understand that that’s not my domain (whether Raina comes back or not),” said the former head of ICC and BCCI. “We own a team, we own the franchise but we don’t have players. The team is ours, but the players are not. I don’t own the players, ”he added.
“I am not the cricket captain. I have never told them (team management) who to play, who to bring to the auction, never. We have the best captain of all time. So why should he interfere in cricket affairs? Srinivasan said further.
CSK has been a three-time champion in the high-profile league, moving to the United Arab Emirates this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(With PTI inputs)
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