Will not lack in sportsman spirit when playing against MSD, says Suresh Raina

For the first time in nine years Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni will play against each other

Suresh Raina, one of the most prolific and consistent performers during all eight seasons of IPL, will be pitted against his ex captain MS Dhoni in IPL 2016. Raina who never missed a single match for the Chennai Super Kings, will be seen playing for the Rajkot team next year, after CSK and Rajasthan Royals were both banned for two years.

The two who were almost inseparable during their eight seasons for the Chennai Super Kings will be strategizing against each other, as they turn out for their respective sides Team Rajkot and Team Pune in the upcoming 9th edition of the IPL.

When asked about how he felt playing in a different team, Raina said they would be competitive but at the same time would not lack "sportsman spirit" when pitted against his former IPL captain, reported IBNlive.com.

Jadeja is local boy at Rajkot: Raina

Familiarity with Rajkot conditions and the pitch will be an asset for Raina who has played a lot in Rajkot.

"I am very much familiar with the condition of Rajkot as I have played many matches in junior category like U-16 and U-19," the 29-year-old southpaw said about his new home ground.

Raina who will also have India and CSK teammate Ravindra Jadeja follow him to the Rajkot team said Jadeja would be a great asset to the team as he is the local boy, Raina said,"Jadeja is a local boy. Both of us are familiar with conditions here and we will use this to our advantage".

The ninth edition of the IPL will be held from April 9 to May 29. The opening and the final match will be played in Mumbai.

one super king each so far for pune and rajkot- dhoni & raina! #IPLDraft

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 15, 2015