The remotest of the possibility of Suresh Raina’s reassociation with Chennai Super Kings is all over. The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team has, it appears, now completely disassociated itself with the veteran batsman. Not just that. The Yellow Lions have also made public the end of their ties with Harbhajan Singh. At least for the Indian Premier League Season 13.
What future holds for the veteran duo may still be questioned. While Harbhajan had opted out for the entire league, being played in the UAE, Raina still nurtured hopes of a comeback at the later stage.
But the latest move by Chennai Super Kings has conclusively confirmed that the duo is not a part of the team.
Raina had flown back from the UAE citing personal reasons after 13 members of the CSK contingent, including pace spearhead Deepak Chahar and young wicketkeeper-batsman Ruturaj Gaekwad, had tested positive for novel coronavirus infection.
Ever since Raina had been in touch with the team and also spoked to the CSK supremo N Srinivasan. The team vice-captain was reportedly exploring the possibility of a comeback. The team management, including CEL Kasi Vishwanathan, had made it apparent that they were not interested in getting the veteran batter back.
Harbhajan after opting out of the tournament due to family reasons had later taken up the commentary assignment with the IPL host broadcaster Star Sports.
CSK in the middle of the IPL has removed the names of Raina and Harbhajan from their official website, effectively shutting the door of any possible entry for Raina.
The team it indicates is firm on not getting the players back into the bubble even as it has lost two of their three matches so far. The last year’s finalists are languishing at the bottom of the IPL 2020 points table.
CSK’s CEO Kasi Viswanathan though remains optimistic that the Yellow Lions will bounce back. “I can assure the fans that we will bounce back strongly. It’s a game and you have your good and bad days. But the boys know what they need to do and the smiles will be back,” Viswanathan had told ANI.
Raina’s absence, however, has affected the balance of the CSK middle order. The team will be expecting another seasoned pro Ambati Rayudu, the hero of their win over defending champions Mumbai Super Kings in the season opener, to recover from his injury at the earliest.