Coming as a major blow to Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans franchise, England opener Jason Roy decided to pull out of the upcoming 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Roy, who plied his trade with Kane Williamson’s Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2021, was signed by the Pandya-led franchise for the 15th season of the world’s richest T20 league.
The South African-born English cricketer was bought in by Gujarat Titans at his base price of INR 2 crore. With Roy opting to pull out of the IPL 2022, fans and followers of the Gujarat-based franchise to sign veteran batter Suresh Raina as his replacement.
ALSO READ: Deepak Chahar To Miss Most Parts Of The IPL 2022 Due To Injury?
One of the most decorated players in the history of the elite tournament, Suresh Raina surprisingly failed to find a bidder in the IPL mega auction. The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) superstar was released by the MS Dhoni-led franchise ahead of the mega auction. Soon after Roy revealed that he will not be taking part in the IPL 2022, netizens shared noteworthy tweets about Raina’s potential return to the Gujarat franchise.
For the unversed, Raina had captained the now-defunct Gujarat Lions (GL) franchise in the cash-rich league. While some fans have urged Gujarat Titans to acquire the services of Raina, others simply triggered a hilarious meme fest on Twitter. Raina’s name also started trending with Gujarat Titans on the microblogging site.
ALSO READ: IPL 2022 Will Be Witnessing 25% Crowd At Venues Till April 15
Apart from Suresh Raina, Gujarat also have the option of signing some foriegn cricketers as well. Top 4 in the pipeline are, England limited-overs skipper, Eoin Morgan, Bangaladesh all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, Sri Lankan limited overs skipper, Dasun Dhanka, and Australia white-ball captain, Aaron Finch.
Here are some of the reactions from the fans:
#GujaratTitans fans urging to have Raina as replacement of Roy
Meanwhile #SureshRaina : pic.twitter.com/rkH1bU7Dii
— Tanishq Ganu (@smart__leaks) March 2, 2022
Suresh Raina is part of #GujaratTitans squad
Mean while #Raina fans : pic.twitter.com/pIRjUbXFQh
— Bleeding Arc (@Jeet69435549) March 2, 2022
Suresh Raina seen wearing a jersey named after Gujarat Titans Team debut in this season of IPL. #GujaratTitans pic.twitter.com/bSktLS6WGq
— Sport Enthusiast (@frolic_waseem) March 2, 2022
Suresh Raina seen wearing a jersey named after Gujarat Titans Team debut in this season of IPL. #GujaratTitans pic.twitter.com/bSktLS6WGq
— Sport Enthusiast (@frolic_waseem) March 2, 2022
Jason Roy – Out ❎
Suresh Raina – In ☑️I know Suresh Raina is not playing any competitive or domestic match now but he is a player who can do a strong comeback any time.#sureshraina #raina #jasonroy #GujaratTitans #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/KN0nftNM9N
— SURYA SINGH (@qZnuoQerNbV0LV5) March 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/JOKER_TRENDS/status/1498910166636396545?s=20&t=KcH-Nrdc9hXSHVk23AMfcA
Jason Roy 🔄 Suresh Raina. Possible !!!! Excited?#CricketTwitter
Tell your honest feedback…..👀🏆#GujaratTitans pic.twitter.com/kn0r4mHsAG— Gujarat Titans (@Gujarat_Titan) March 1, 2022
#IPL Fans after knowing Jason Roy – Out ❎ and
Suresh Raina – In ☑️.👇#GujaratTitans #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/zpNdgIZdFb— देशी छोरा (@Deshi_Indian01) March 2, 2022