A couple of years ago, former India cricketer, Suresh Raina decided to announce his retirement from international cricket. However, since his retirement accompanied that of MS Dhoni, Raina didn’t get much of the limelight. Slowly after the international retirement, Raina lost all the self-confidence he once had and scored just 160 runs off 12 innings (average of 17.8) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.
Suresh Raina did not make it to the playing XI in some games for the season, and he wasn’t retained for the 2022 IPL. One season of poor form, eventually, turned out to be enough for Mr. IPL to be disregarded by each and every franchise (including CSK) in the 2022 IPL mega-auction as Suresh Raina tragically went unsold.
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But now, pictures of Suresh Raina doing batting practice in Ghaziabad have emerged, giving a sliver of hope of his comeback. Two major reasons seem logical thus far.
Nothing beats the feeling of when I'm on the field. Had the best time on the ground!! ❤️🏏#gratitude pic.twitter.com/RCHAOM1t53
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) August 24, 2022
#1 IPL Comeback
The most sensible explanation is that Suresh Raina must be targeting an IPL return. The Duleep Trophy (FC tournament) is scheduled for September 7 to 25. Following that, limited-overs tournaments in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022-23 are to be held. If Suresh can do well in the SMAT and Vijay Hazare Trophy, it is almost certain that multiple IPL franchises will go after him in the 2023 IPL auction.
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#2 Focus on Other T20 Leagues and take Retirement from IPL
The other possible reason is the southpaw looking for opportunities elsewhere and retiring from the IPL. The Legends League Cricket (LLC) is scheduled to be commencing on rom 17 September and Gautam Gambhir has already announced his return for it. Raina isn’t as old as Gautam Gambhir and other cricketers that’ll play in the LLC. But a spot should be available if he’s made up his mind to move from the IPL.
Internationally, there are other opportunities too: Big Bash League (BBL), The Hundred, Caribbean CPL, and the upcoming SA T20 League. The BCCI can give Suresh Raina permission and a No Object Certificate (NOC) to play in other countries if he is to bid goodbye to the IPL.
