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Former team India batter Suresh Raina is set to retire from the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the 2023 season in order to play in T20 leagues around the world. Raina, who was a stalwart for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was not retained ahead of IPL 2022, and also went unsold at the mega auction. Raina retired from international cricket in August 2020, the same day when MS Dhoni called it quits from the sport.
The former India regular has also informed the BCCI and the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) about his decision. This decision will allow him to play in T20 leagues around the world as Indian players who are a part of the central contracts or the IPL are not allowed to play abroad.
"I want to play cricket for 2-3 more years. Uttar Pradesh team has got some talented cricketers and they have been performing really well. I have got the NoC from UPCA and have informed BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla of my decision. I thank UPCA and BCCI for supporting me throughout my career. Now I will be playing in T20 leagues across the world," Raina said.
Indian stalwart
Raina was a regular for India in international cricket. represented the Men in Blue in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is in an international career that spanned 13 years. He also captained the team side in the absence of MS Dhoni. Raina scored 5615 runs in 226 ODIs and 1605 in 78 T20Is for the national team.
He scored a century on his debut in Tests, and also registered his name in history books after becoming the first Indian to slam tons in all three formats of the game, scoring all of them outside the country.
205-match IPL veteran
Among the most prolific batters for India during his prime, Raina and Dhoni were two of the best players for both their country and their IPL team. In addition to playing for CSK, Raina was also a part of the Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017 when the Chennai-based franchise was suspended. During his long IPL career, the southpaw has scored 5528 runs in 200 innings, averaging 32.52 at a strike rate of 136.73. He also has 25 wickets under his belt as a bowler in the IPL.
It will be interesting to see if the former star batter turns out for CSK'S latest overseas T20 league teams. The side have bought a franchise Johannesburg Super Kings, and it will be interesting to see if they sign him for the tournament.
