Since 2008, the IPL has been a constant in the calendar for cricket fans around the globe. The IPL has seen plenty of stars, from Sachin Tendulkar and Glenn McGrath in the first season to present day greats in Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. It would be fair to say however, that the IPL’s biggest star has been one Suresh Raina.
Representing the Chennai Super Kings franchise from 2008 – 2015, Raina played in every single match. Once CSK got suspended for 2 years, it was time for Raina to move on and he did as the Gujarat Lions franchise named him as their skipper in their debut season. He has gone on to play in their first 11 matches, leading them to 7 wins and the top of the table.
As his Gujarat Lions side is set to face the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday, one familiar sight might be missing on the field as Suresh Raina is set to miss, remarkably, his first IPL game.
With his wife Priyanka Chaudhary expecting a baby, the left hander chose to spend special time with her and join her in Holland. He did so after leading his side to victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. Chris Gayle had earlier flown back to be with his wife during the birth of their daughter, Blush.
“I’m flying to Holland to meet my wife tomorrow and I’m all excited,” Raina said at the post-match interview at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
Raina’s IPL career numbers speak for themself. He has played the most number of games at 143, followed by his captain at Chennai Super Kings MS Dhoni, who has played 139, Rohit Sharma at 138, Dinesh Karthik at 133 and Virat Kohli at 132. He has scored the highest number of runs in the IPL – 3985 and holds a 200 run lead over Rohit Sharma in this count.
Overall, Raina has scored 3985 runs at an average of 33.48 and a strike rate of 138.75, having scored 1 century and 26 fifties. Raina also holds the record for having taken the most number of catches in IPL history with 79.
However, this year, he hasn’t enjoyed the best of time. In this IPL, he has scored 286 runs from 11 innings at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 126, both lower than his career average. What would be more disapponting for him is the fact that he has only scored 1 fifty.
In a season where his compatriots have made merry and scored plenty including the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Gautam Gambhir, Raina would be disappointed to miss out.
Going further back, at the T20 world cup, Raina managed only 41 runs from 5 games at a depolrable average of 10.25. Many experts beilieved that Raina would get back to his best when he plays in his favoured T20 position at #3 in the batting order.
He has assumed that position for the Lions, and while there is an improvement in the numbers, it is nowhere close to the standards he would have set for himself. Even further back, at the Asia Cup, Raina failed again, managing 39 runs in 3 innings.
A lot of Raina’s failings have to do with his struggles against the short ball and that’s a weakness that has been expolited by his opponents. There are no real concerns over his place in the limited overs set up for India just yet, as Raina can change a game in the field as well, where he is absolutely electric. He can roll his arm over and take crucial wickets and his experience can be key in crucial situations.
Raina will be hoping that the birth of a child could bring about a change in fortunes for him and he can come back all guns blazing for his franchise and country. With Raina missing, it would give a chance to either Aaron Finch or Brendon McCullum to don the captain’s hat.
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