Suresh Raina To Play For Deccan Gladiators In The Abu Dhabi T10 League 2022

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina will make his first foray into the Abu Dhabi T10 league as he has signed with the Deccan Gladiators team for the 2022 season. Earlier this year, Raina announced his retirement from all formats of cricket, which made him eligible to play for foreign franchises.

He recently appeared in the Road Safety World Series 2022 featuring Sachin Tendulkar and other former Indian cricketers as his first assignment after retirement from the Indian Premier League. Raina had been part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise from 2008-2015 and then from 2018-2021.

He also played and captained The Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016 and 2017. However, since his return from IPL 2020 citing anxiety over the COVID pandemic as the tournament was held in a strict bio-bubble in the UAE, Raina and CSK’s relationship became strained. He played a handful of matches in IPL 2021 and was not retained by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. Raina went unsold in the auction and decided to retire from the IPL itself on September 6 this year.

Deccan Gladiators Welcome Suresh Raina As He Joins Stars Like Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, And Jason Roy In Abu Dhabi T10 League

The UAE-based Abu Dhabi T10 league’s official Twitter handle broke the news, that Suresh Raina was joining the league and will play for Deccan Gladiators franchise. The cricketer also reacted to the tweet.

“World Cup winner @ImRaina has signed for the @TeamDGladiators One of India’s all-time finest white-ball players, Raina will line up in the #AbuDhabiT10 for the first time and we can’t wait,” wrote the T10 League on Twitter.

World Cup winner @ImRaina has signed for the @TeamDGladiators ???

One of India's all time finest white-ball players, Raina will line up in the #AbuDhabiT10 for the first time and we can't wait ?#InAbuDhabi #CricketsFastestFormat pic.twitter.com/7FGP5TWk89

— T10 League (@T10League) November 1, 2022

Raina will now be seen donning the colours of the defending champion Deccan Gladiators and sharing the dressing room with stars like Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Roy, Taskin Ahmed, Odean Smith, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

There were reports stating that Suresh Raina might captain the side as well, as he has ample experience leading India and CSK in the IPL.

The sixth season of the Abu Dhabi T10 league begins on November 23. The Gladiators play their first game against Team Abu Dhabi on an opening day.

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