IPL 2020: Suresh Raina opens up on N Srinivasan’s criticism, returning to CSK and more

By Team Newsable | First Published Sep 2, 2020, 12:38 PM IST

Why did Suresh Raina pull out of IPL 2020? The CSK batsman has spoken in detail about his decision, N Srinivasan's criticism, being 'concerned' over his young family, and more

Bengaluru: Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) batsman Suresh Raina has opened up about his sudden decision to pull out of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020). Also, he has hinted that he might return to the UAE to play.

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In an interview with Cricbuzz website, Raina said he has had a chat with CSK owner N Srinivasan, who appeared to have criticised the left-handed batsman after he decided to return to India from Dubai.

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On Saturday (August 28), Raina came back home, citing personal reasons. CSK took to Twitter to announce that the World Cup winner returned and won’t play IPL 2020.

There were reports stating that Raina was concerned over the bio-bubble in Dubai and also there were speculations that he was upset at not being provided a hotel room with a balcony, just like the one CSK captain MS Dhoni got.

Now, he told Cricbuzz on Wednesday (September 2), “It was a personal decision and I had to come back for my family. There was something that needed to be addressed immediately on the home front.”

“CSK is my family too and Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) is very important to me and this was a tough decision. There is no issue between CSK and me. Nobody will just turn their back on Rs 12.5 crore and walk away without a solid reason. I might have retired from international cricket but I'm still young and I am looking forward to playing for them in the IPL for the next 4-5 years,” he added.

On Srinivasan’s criticism, he said, “He is like a father figure to me and he's always stood by me and is close to my heart. He treats me like his younger son and am sure a lot of what he said was taken out of context. Ek baap apne bacche ko daant sakta hai (A father can scold his son). He didn't know the real reasons for me leaving when he gave those comments. Now he's been informed about them and he even sent me a message thereafter. We've chatted about it and both CSK and I just want to get over with it. I'm continuing to train.”

“I've been training even while quarantining here. You never know you might see me in the camp there again,” he opined on the possibility of returning to CSK.

On concerns over the bio-bubble, he said, "I have a young family back home and I was concerned about the fact that if something happened to me, unka kya hoga?(what'll happen to them).

"My family is most important to me and I am really concerned for them during these times. I haven't seen my kids for more than 20 days, even after coming back, since I am in quarantine."

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