Left-handed batsman Suresh Raina has struck a blazing fifty in Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2021 season opener against the Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Suresh Raina missed the last year’s edition in the UAE due to personal reasons and there were doubts if he had the same ability, considering he had not played any professional cricket for a considerable time. But the veteran cricketer shut down the critics to hold the key for the Super Kings.
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Unlike his premier number three batting position, Suresh Raina batted at number four for the Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing clash. He came under pressure as Delhi Capitals’ new-ball bowlers Avesh Khan and Chris Woakes dismissed openers Faf Du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad cheaply. But he hardly took time to settle and got the timely boundaries.
Suresh Raina went on to add quick-fire half-century partnerships with Moeen Ali and Ambati Rayudu to help the three-time champions recover from early losses. Raina brought up his 39th IPL fifty in style, pulling Marcus Stoinis for six over square leg for an enormous six. Unfortunately, the 34-year old departed for 54 off 36 balls, laced with three fours and four sixes, following a horrible mix-up with Ravindra Jadeja. At the time of writing this, the yellow army had also lost their skipper, MS Dhoni, for a two-ball duck.
Below is how Twitter reacted to Suresh Raina’s fifty on his IPL return:
Comeback in his STYLE! ??
2021 – 1st 50* ? #CSK #ChinnaThala @ImRaina pic.twitter.com/LwLNSBBVDL
— Vardhan??? (@me_vardhan9) April 10, 2021
Brilliant comeback to #CSK by namma fans fav. @ImRaina – 50(32)*.. Keep it going mate ? Typically brisk and energetic knock by him!
39th #IPL fifty for the star batter #CSKvsDC #Raina #ChinnaThala #welcomeback
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) April 10, 2021
#ChinnaThala ?? What a way to mark the arrival ? @ChennaiIPL
— Nazriya Nazim Fahadh (@Nazriya4U_) April 10, 2021
Chinna Thala announced his comeback with a brilliant half century ??#CSKvDC #SureshRaina #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/c3lMfPt2g0
— Whistle Podu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) April 10, 2021
Suresh Raina continuing his IPL consistency
CSK fans pic.twitter.com/Ne5Qnx5dqA— Shikhar Sagar (@crazy_shikhu) April 10, 2021
Suresh Raina right now pic.twitter.com/RAEYcXxU1u
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 10, 2021
Suresh Raina is back and he's taking the #DC spinners to the cleaners. Can #CSK get to a score around 180?https://t.co/ZeR7ZU54JI#CSKvDC #IPL2021
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) April 10, 2021
Suresh Raina looks so much at ease with the Yellow jersey on him. Kya baat hai #IPL2021 #CSKvDC @ImRaina
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) April 10, 2021
First 50 of #IPL2021 goes to Suresh Raina ?? Welcome back sir. #CSKvDC
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) April 10, 2021