"I Actually See Suresh Raina Play" - Aakash Chopra On Indian Cricketers Playing In Foreign T20 Leagues

Indian talents like Suresh Raina, in Aakash Chopra‘s opinion, would soon be visible competing in foreign T20 competitions.

Raina, one of the most successful players in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, was unable to find a taker for the competition’s 2022 season. If the southpaw is not included in the plans of the clubs for the IPL 2023 as well, he may desire to demonstrate his talents in international tournaments.

CSA T20 League Has Become Indian League: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra predicted that more former Indian cricket players would be spotted competing in overseas T20 tournaments in a video posted on his YouTube channel. He reasoned:

“When Indian franchises buy all six teams in the CSA T20 league, it becomes a totally Indian league. Indian franchises are there in the UAE T20 league as well. If it keeps growing like this, franchises might want their players to play in different places. I actually see Suresh Raina play.”

The ex-cricketer-turned-commentator thinks that if Raina makes himself available, he would become a highly sought-after player. Aakash Chopra observed:

“I see some of the Indian players playing in these leagues very very soon. Those who are not playing in the IPL, they are all available, but Raina is a very interesting case, a lot of people might want to spend a lot of money on him.”

Indian corporations would surely want their players to compete in those competitions because of their growing interest in international T20 leagues.

If Indian cricketers compete in foreign leagues, they cannot participate in the IPL. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCIfuture )’s leniency on this issue would be intriguing to watch.

BCCI Understands Load Management: Aakash Chopra

Ben Stokes retired from ODI cricket, but Aakash Chopra believes that Indian batsmen are less inclined to do the same. He reasoned:

“Ben Stokes has bid goodbye to ODI cricket. Will Indian cricketers also take the same route? Players have decided that they will only be able to do whatever they can, Indian cricketers have not done that till now.

It is also because the board has realized very quickly that both the IPL and bilateral series are their tournaments.”

The 44-year-old stressed that the BCCI provides enough respite for the Indian players during the bilateral series. Aakash Chopra elaborated:

“They want their players to play all the 14-odd matches in the IPL. They are not going to give them rest there for workload management, but when they play against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, they will rest their players. So, the BCCI has already understood this thing. Everybody’s workload is being managed.”

For the forthcoming ODI series against the West Indies, players like Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma will take a rest. Even for the upcoming five-match T20I series against the same opponents, Kohli and Bumrah have been rested.

Also Read: Ravi Shastri Weighs In On Reduction Of Bilateral T20Is: Franchise Cricket Can Be Encouraged