‘Par Dhoni ne toh apko injured bola tha’ - Fans react as Suresh Raina reveals MS Dhoni taking permission from him to play Robin Uthappa instead of him in IPL

Suresh Raina had an excellent career in IPL for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). But, the franchise shocked everyone when they did not put in a bid to have him during the IPL 2022 mega auction. That season, Robin Uthappa played for CSK mostly at the number three. In that season, he scored 230 runs in 12 matches, at an average of 20.91 and a strike rate of 134.50.

Advertisment

He played two match-winning knocks in Qualifier 1 and the final, making 63 and a 15-ball 31, respectively in IPL 2021. While in that season, Raina scored 160 runs in 12 matches, at an average of 17.77. Now, in a chat with JioCinema, he opened up about the decision of playing Uthappa instead of him by MS Dhoni.

“I told him to play Uthappa” - Suresh Raina 

He said: "MS Dhoni took permission from me to play Uthappa instead of me, I told him to play Uthappa as he worked so hard through the season even when he wasn't getting an opportunity in 2021." Meanwhile, every fan knows the bond between Raina and Dhoni over the years while playing for both India and CSK. Both of them took retirement from all forms of international cricket on the same day, 15 August 2020. Regarding this, Raina opened up in a chat with Sports Tak.

Advertisment

He said: “We played so many matches together. I was fortunate to play with him for India, and with CSK. We got a lot of love. I've come from Ghaziabad, Dhoni from Ranchi. I played for MS Dhoni, then I played for the country. That's the connection. We've played so many finals, we won the World Cup. He's a great leader and a great human being.” This season in IPL, Raina was seen visiting some matches of CSK and interacting with several players on the field before and after the match.

Here is how fans have reacted: 

Thala be like 🤭 pic.twitter.com/IK9j5xAV7D

— Em! (@Insane__Emi) June 16, 2023

Damage control

— Rajan Kumar Jha (@therajanr2j) June 16, 2023

Raina true leader and batsman of CSK

— GOD⚔️45™ (@R45xMi) June 16, 2023

Aur ye Nohit no 1 allrounder ko bina bataye final nhi khelaya

— Yadav Ji (@kuchhtobaathai) June 16, 2023

Unsold in LPL😭

— 175* (@175of228) June 16, 2023

That's why God Raina >> Cry baby Kohli

— 🤶 (@hrathod__) June 16, 2023

And did he took permission from you before not buying you in IPL 2022?

— Saty (@iamsatypandey) June 16, 2023

Dhoni said Raina was injured 🤣🤣 lier thala

— Abhishek (@down_the_leg) June 16, 2023

So Dhoni had lied that Raina was injured, perhaps Raina forgot the credit script 😂

— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) June 16, 2023