Chennai Super Kings star Suresh Raina said he definitely expects changes to the squad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season, considering the mega auction which will be held after two new teams are added to the league. However, Raina said CSK have created plenty of memories over the 2021 season to cherish for their lifetime.
Suresh Raina, speaking to AajTak from Dubai, said the IPL 2021 triumph was special as the team had to come back from the lows of IPL 2020 in the UAE to win their fourth title. Rana said there were plenty of special moments for the team and among them was MS Dhoni’s winning runs in the Qualifier 1 against Delhi Capitals.
“There will be changes, definitely. We have played all the finals (The core group). We have won the title 4 times. We have left on a very good note,” Raina said.
“Last year, we were not able to qualify but this year we won the title in the UAE. There were emotions when we were leaving the bio-bubble. Everybody was missing each other. What happens next year is something no one knows but we will cherish the trophy that we have won.
“The way MS won us the match in the play-offs, the way he hit those boundaries. It’s a different feeling and it will remain with us all through our lives.”
After having won as many as 4 titles with a core group of players that CSK pride themselves on, the team is heading towards a new era as changes are expected to happen at the mega auction. MS Dhoni said on Friday that CSK will be looking to create a core group that will serve the team for at least the next 10 years.
Dhoni himself remained coy about his future as a player with CSK in IPL 2022, saying it will depend on the auction and retention rules for the next season.
Meanwhile, Raina heaped rich praise on young opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, saying he has a bright future ahead of him. Raina likened Ruturaj, who won the Orange Cap in IPL 2021 with 635 runs, to MS Dhoni.
“Ruturaj and Faf du Plessis helped us build the momentum in IPL 2021. From the first game, they have been playing well. I think Ruturaj is ready to play for India for a long time. The way he handled pressure in the play-offs is great. He is more of a Mahi bhai type of person. He works very hard but stays very calm. It’s important for Ruturaj to take off from here,” Raina added.
