IPL 2021: ‘Well played Suresh Raina,’ says Sunil Gavaskar as the southpaw returns in CSK colours

IPL 2021: ‘Well played Suresh Raina,’ says Sunil Gavaskar as the southpaw returns in CSK colours

Sunil Gavaskar and Suresh Raina

Mr IPL Suresh Raina made a brilliant comeback for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After missing out on last season, Raina blasted a half-century in his team’s inaugural game of IPL 2021. The left-handed batsman scored 54 runs off just 36 deliveries at an outstanding strike rate of 150.

Many cricket experts and fans hailed Suresh Raina for playing this mesmerizing inning. His knock became more special as Raina came out to bat when CSK were struggling at 7/2 inside the powerplay. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said the 34-year old must have been under pressure while coming to this match. However, he leapt praises for Raina for the way he handled the situation.

“Very tough, very tough because you know the ideal is such that the fans are very, very demanding. They don’t expect you to fail, they want to succeed in every game. Raina would have felt the pressure when he came back. That’s why he started off slowly,” Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports.

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“He was pretty much scoring at a run-a-ball and after that, he took off. Suresh Raina, well played. What a comeback in CSK colours!” he added.

Raina disorient Ravi Ashwin’s bowling: Gavaskar

Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina attacked ace Delhi Capitals bowler Ravi Ashwin throughout the innings. Gavaskar mentioned that Raina’s aggression forced Ashwin to bowl differently than he usually does. 

“Yes, I think against a quality spinner like R Ashwin, you can’t stay in the crease. You have to try and go out of the crease and disorient him. And he was a bit disoriented and it showed in the way he was trying to bowl different from what he does generally. And Raina, when he hits it out of the middle, it generally goes into the stands. And that’s what we saw today,” Sunil Gavaskar explained.

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