/sky247-english/media/agency_attachments/u8Dd4hyaH0mQGXmyg0Eo.png)
/sky247-english/media/media_files/oXHoxgPA7CrylmMTcwp1.jpg)
Follow Us/sky247-english/media/media_files/M5hzHL2RStFeJOOHSAuo.png)
MS Dhoni & Sakshi (left), Suresh Raina (Source: Twitter)
Former India cricketers Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni have shared a special bond ever since they started playing together and they continue to do so. Raina was Dhoni's most reliable player in Team India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Their brotherhood is the envy of anyone, so fans have given both of them two adorable names, 'Thala' (Dhoni) and 'Chinna Thala' (Raina).
/sky247-english/media/media_files/L36rCpmHRJkAgRgNCcLd.jpg)
As a matter of mutual respect, Raina drew the curtain on his international career on August 15, 2020, the same day Dhoni announced his shocking decision through an Instagram post. However, the wicketkeeper-batter still plays and captains CSK in the Indian Premier League (IPL), while the all-rounder hung up his yellow jersey in 2022.
Meanwhile, the former vice-captain of the Chennai-based franchise recently opened up on how Dhoni invited him to his wedding ceremony in Dehradun. The legendary skipper married Sakshi Singh on July 4, 2010, at a farmhouse in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Raina was also among those who attended an intimate private ceremony.
Narrating the incident, the 37-year-old said: "He called me and said where are you? I said I was in Lucknow. He said - 'I am getting married, come to Dehradun. Come silently, and don't tell anyone, I will be waiting here.' I then went there in a hurry and wore his clothes at his wedding."
MS astutely used him well in the past: Raina on CSK bringing back Shardul Thakur in IPL 2024
The 2024 IPL might be Dhoni's last dance and he aims to end it on a high. CSK arguably have one of the best teams in the upcoming season. With Shardul Thakur's return, their bowling unit has also strengthened compared to the 2023 edition. Speaking to Jio Cinema, Raina said of the bowling all-rounder that he resembles Pat Cummins and felt that Kolkata Knight Riders did not use him well last season.
"He is very similar to Pat Cummins. He has done well in the bowling department as well as with the bat. KKR, I don't think used him in that manner. When he played for CSK, he has done really well. He brought a lot of quality with the older ball as well as the new ball. (Deepak) Chahar is a bit injury-prone, and (Matheesha) Pathirana also is. He is an all-rounder like Deepak Chahar."
"He (Shardul) understands the CSK administration, he understands the leadership. And MS astutely used him well in the past," he added.