Suresh Raina’s unconditional love and respect for MS Dhoni has been well known and he has taken it one step further, announcing that he will not play IPL next season if Dhoni doesn’t.
Raina shares a very strong bond with former India captain MS Dhoni both on and off the pitch. Playing together for the national team and as well as for Chennai Super Kings has only strengthened their equation. Now, Raina has made it clear that if MS Dhoni decides to hang up his boots after this year’s IPL, he will follow his captain’s footsteps as well.
Suresh Raina came up with this remarkable statement during an interview with News24 Sports. When the interviewer asked him about his considerations to play for any other franchises in IPL apart from CSK in the future, Raina was quick to state that if Dhoni Bhai decides not to play in the Premier League next year, he won’t be taking any part as well.
Raina also added that he will try to convince MS Dhoni to continue for another year in IPL if CSK manages to bring the trophy home this year.
“If Dhoni bhai doesn’t play IPL next year, I won’t as well. We have played together here since 2008. However, if we (CSK) win this year I will try to convince him to play next year as there will be a gap of 3-4 months only. After that we will have domestic cricket too and I am looking forward to it.”
Raina told the news channel.
When Raina was asked about his future plans, he seemed very motivated about working in the domestic circuit with youngsters from Uttar Pradesh.
“Uttar Pradesh has produced so many great talents over the years – Suresh Raina, Mohammad Kaif, Piyush Chawla, Bhuvneshwar Kumar – who have done so well for India and I feel it’s really important to push the youngsters as there are some really amazing young talents coming through for UP,”
Raina asserted.
Incidentally, last year on August 15, MS Dhoni announced his retirement from International cricket. Later on that very day, Raina also decided to join his captain into international retirement. Raina addressed MS Dhoni on his retirement note and wrote:
“With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you in this journey.”
Raina with his comments on potentially retiring from IPL with MS Dhoni has once again made it clear how much respect and admiration he has in his heart for Dhoni and is ready to traverse the tough roads together.
