Despite having retired from all formats of cricket in September last year, former India batter Suresh Raina continues to sweat it out in the nets and engage himself in batting practice sessions. The left-handed batter, who had hung up his boots from international cricket and Indian Premier League at a comparatively younger age of 35, had last played for Chennai Super Kings 22 months ago during the 14th season of the cash-rich league.
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While arriving at the retirement decision, Raina had remarked that he would like to play the sport for another two or three years. As a result, he has participated in various shortest format leagues such as Road Safety World Series, Abu Dhabi T10 League, Legends League Cricket, and Legends Cricket Trophy.
To brush up, Raina was not roped in by Chennai during the mega auction ahead of IPL 2022, after he had represented the franchise across 11 seasons between 2008 and 2021. Having not managed to attract any bid from the remaining nine franchises as well, he had decided to call it quits.
Suresh Raina Hits Nets To ‘Reunite With First Love’
Having not played a match in over four months now, Suresh Raina has hit the nets to “reunite with his first love”. Around four hours ago, he had taken to his Twitter handle to share a video of himself playing the hook shot. He is seen nailing the shot to a throwdown, perhaps by one of the players in the facility. “Reunited with my first love in the nets. Getting into the groove and ready to shine! Great to back with the boys,” read Raina’s tweet.
As a reaction to the video, a huge section of fans were simply impressed with the sound that the bat had made upon making the fierce impact with the ball. While the other emotional fans still hoped he would return back playing for CSK, a few of them also mentioned the fact that they could spot the similarities between him and Tilak Varma, with the latter continuing to make a fine impression in the ongoing India’s tour of West Indies.
Despite all of it, it remains to be seen which is the next league or tournament Raina is gearing himself up for.
CSK Fans Continue To Miss Suresh Raina
Just like Raina is not in the mood to face away from the first love of his life anytime soon, CSK fans have not been able to come to terms with the fact that their beloved Chinna Thala will not turn up donning the Yellow jersey of the franchise again on the field.
During the first match of IPL 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the fans were all emotional upon realizing that it was the first-ever season wherein the franchise would take the field without the name of Suresh Raina in their Playing XI.
In August 2022, just a few days before taking the retirement decision, the 36-year-old was spotted involving himself in some batting practice while wearing the CSK jersey. It was a moment of contrasting emotions for the fans where on one had they were unimpressed with the so-called unfair treatment meted out to their most experienced player after captain MS Dhoni, while the man himself, on the other hand, seemed to have readily accepted the decision like a sport.
Even earlier, during IPL 2022, veteran India spinner Amit Mishra could not help but mention how CSK were missing Raina after watching their players display some ordinary effort while fielding.
