Chennai Super Kings Keen To Bring Back Chennai's Pride Suresh Raina

With rumours of Chennai Super Kings not very keen on retaining their former batsman Suresh Raina viciously doing the rounds, the franchise itself has come out to quash the reports.

The rumours have gathered steam after Raina’s poor form this season. The out-of-favour southpaw last played an One-day International way back in October 2015. He was recalled for the ODI series against New Zealand last year but did not play a single game due to illness. However, a recall for the T20 series against England earlier this year gave him a glimmer of hope and he fully capitalized on it by finishing the three-match series as its third highest run-scorer with 104 runs. A few months later, he proved his worth with yet another impressive IPL season, scoring 442 runs in 14 matches which led to his inclusion in the standby list for the Champions Trophy. However, he has not been considered for selection in the national team thereafter.

Moreover, his form in domestic cricket has also been alarming. In 4 Ranji Trophy games so far, he has managed to score only 105 runs with 33 being his highest score.

And while his form has made many speculate that Chennai Super Kings will not be looking to retain him in case they along with other franchises are allowed to retain players ahead of the next year’s auction, the Chennai-based franchise has made it clear that they want to bring back Raina in the city.

“Lots of rumours online about not retaining #ChinnaThala. Don’t Believe! We want to bring the pride back together. A roaring #SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu ??,” the franchise tweeted.

Lots of rumours online about not retaining #ChinnaThala. Don't Believe! We want to bring the pride back together. A roaring #SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu ??

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 14, 2017

Raina was with the franchise since the inaugural season in 2008 before the team was suspended in 2015. The left-handed batsman had scored 2645 runs for the team, helping them to win two IPL titles and as many now-scrapped Champions League T20 title.

Video of the day: