CSK vs LSG: Watch - "Unko bola tha..." - Suresh Raina breaks silence on alleged IPL 2020 hotel room controversy with CSK

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Suresh Raina broke silence on his 'room with balcony' saga with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. He said that whatever was said about him was wrong and revealed why he pulled out of the tournament. 

Ahead of the IPL 2020, a massive controversy unfolded in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) camp. It was unexpected one because it was learned that Suresh Raina had some issues with then-skipper MS Dhoni and the team management along with the owner of the franchise. 

Chennai Super Kings owner, N Srinivasan reportedly revealed that Suresh Raina demanded a big room with a balcony in the hotel just like the franchise has given to the skipper MS Dhoni. The left-hander had traveled with the team to Dubai, where IPL 2020 took place, but came back home, citing personal reasons. 

However, now years later, Suresh Raina revealed that the reports circulating about him demanding a big room were all fake. He stated that one of his family members passed away in Punjab and that's why he pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. 

In a video that has gone viral on the internet, Suresh Raina during an interaction stated that he told skipper MS Dhoni as well as the management about his decision to go back to India and his family's loss. He stated: 

"I went to Punjab because someone passed away in my family. I told myself I'll play cricket later on. I also informed MS Dhoni and owner about the reasons."

Here's the video: 

Remember how, Srinivasan deliberaly degraded Raina's name by saying that he wanted a room with a balcony like MSD?

Suresh Raina opens up once again about that incident. Never Forget, Never Forgive.

Will never ever respect Srinivasan, a misogynistic money-whore. pic.twitter.com/JfgxwFCrHG

— Rᴀɪᴋᴀᴛ  (@OverMidWicket) April 20, 2024

Later that year, Suresh Raina talked about the entire saga and posted on his Twitter account, saying that one of his family members was slaughtered to death. He also called N Srinivasan a fatherly figure and stated: 

"What happened to my family in Punjab was beyond horrible. My uncle was slaughtered to death, my brother & both my cousins had severe injuries. Unfortunately, my cousin also passed away last night after battling for life for days. My bua is still very very critical & is on life support,” he had tweeted, also seeking the help of authorities to unmask the perpetrators of the heinous crime."

"Why will I be sad"- Suresh Raina on getting released by CSK 

Suresh Raina after the 2020 edition of the league was part of the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2021. He played a few games and then was dropped from the team and then was released. He then went unsold and didn't get a proper farewell from IPL. 

Suresh Raina talked about the same as well, saying that MS Dhoni is playing that's a good thing, he isn't sad about anything. Talking to Lallantop, the left-hander said: "Wo khel rahe hai achi baat hai (MS Dhoni is playing, it's good). He should play. Why will I be sad (Raina on getting released by CSK)?"

Suresh Raina was one of the best batters in the IPL. He mustered 5528 runs in 205 matches. He represented CSK in 176 matches, scoring 4687 runs for them, and is still the leading run-getter in the league for CSK.  He also captained the Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016 and 2017 when CSK was banned.