IPL 2021: 3 Teams that can pick Suresh Raina if CSK releases him ahead of IPL 2021.
Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021: Often referred to as the “Mr IPL”, Suresh Raina holds many records in the cash-rich league to showcase his value. Raina who has been phenomenal since the inception of Indian Premier League is also the mainstay of the side.
The southpaw is in the list of highest run-getters of IPL and is dominating the list for several years. The 34-years old cricketer has amassed 5368 runs in the 193 games he has played with an average of 33.34 as well as the strike rate of over 130.
A slight downfall can be seen in Raina’s performance chart in the past few years but his match-winning knocks still hold the same place. He has been out of action since 2018 in and also pulled out of the IPL 2020 citing personal reasons.
In recent times, the reports suggest that the veteran can be released by the Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2021. If the reports are to be believed, many other franchises would be delighted to take the services of the experienced cricketer.
3 teams that can pick Suresh Raina:
Rajasthan Royals:
The Jaipur based IPL franchise kicked off their IPL journey with a bang in 2008. The inaugural season of IPL was won by Rajasthan Royals and since then the franchise is searching for the title. In the 2020 season of Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals finished last in the points table after the league stages.
With the news coming out that the franchise is likely to release Steve Smith ahead of IPL 2021, then it will be more important for them to induct an experienced Indian cricketer.
Suresh Raina can bring in a lot of experience to the side and he can also cut down the slot of one overseas batsman. Rajasthan has made its core with the foreign players and it will be the right time for them to take the necessary steps to establish a strong Indian core.
Kings XI Punjab:
KL Rahul led Kings XI Punjab finished 6th in the recently concluded IPL. This was the first time when KL Rahul led the side in IPL and had done quite a good work. He led his side from the front and scored most runs in the IPL 2020.
The Punjab based franchise is still in the search of its maiden IPL title. KXIP could take the services of Suresh Raina in the middle order.
In the presence of Raina, the KL Rahul led KXIP can become even more stronger. Raina who has the experience of over a decade can also guide KL Rahul in the pressure situations. Many experts analysed that KL Rahul took wrong decisions in the heated moments in IPL 2020 and this can be reduced in the presence of experienced players like Suresh Raina.
Royal Challenger Bangalore:
Virat Kohli led RCB is one of those sides which is packed with the star players. However, the team is still in the search of its maiden IPL title along with Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab.
There has been a debate around RCB that they have been over-dependent on Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers but induction of Suresh Raina can settle this debate. Raina can act as a solid middle-order batsman and can provide a good finishing to RCB.
It will be safe to say that Suresh Raina can end RCB’s search of maiden IPL Title.
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