IPL 2021 – CSK Suresh Raina: Putting rest to speculation on the availability of Chennai Super Kings’s (CSK) star player Suresh Raina for the preparatory camp which got underway this week, CEO Kashi Vishwanathan on Thursday confirmed that IPL’s second highest run getter would join the camp only on March 21.
“There is no problem. He has some personal commitments and taken permission from the team for joining a bit late. Players are coming individually and joining the camp whenever they are ready and available. Lets respect every individual’s decision on this. He has communicated to us that he will join the camp around the 21st. We are eagerly waiting for him and looking forward to joining us,” Kashi told Insidesport.co on Wednesday.
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It is little strange that Raina will be joining the camp after 21st March. At the same time Dhoni and few of other CSK players are currently sweating out in Chennai. Dhoni is currently training with the team and other than Raina, Ravindra Jadeja (Under Rehab at NCA) and foreign cricketers – all CSK players are attending the camp.
It has to be mentioned that Raina also chose to miss out last season’s IPL after he left the team without playing a single match due to some “personal reasons.” Reports suggested that Raina left due to his fallout and differences with the management of the franchisee. While Raina has maintained the stand that it was personal reasons, team management had a strong word of caution for him but both parties made peace later on.
Also Read: IPL 2021: CSK camp on warpath; calls 2 Lankan reserve bowlers
IPL 2021: Chennai Super Kings going all out to prepare for the 14th edition
CSK is simply on a warpath, taking its preparatory camp for the 2021 IPL season to the next level. It was the first team to begin its training camp on Tuesday and invited two Sri Lankan bowlers Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana as reserve players to add more variety to their preparation.
“Yes, we have called two Sri Lankan players — a fast bowler and a spinner and they have included them as reserve players and not main players in our squad. Both the cricketers have requested for NOC from the Sri Lanka Cricket Board to participate in our training session. We are still waiting for their clearance. We already have the full quota of the allocated no. of overseas players. The CSK players have completed their quarantine requirements and began practice on Tuesday,” a top CSK official told Insidesport.co on Wednesday.
Also Read: IPL 2021: CSK camp to start in Chennai from Mar 11; Dhoni to attend
CSK meanwhile is seriously contemplating shifting its “training camp” to Mumbai two weeks before their 1st match in IPL 2021. Dhoni’s team confirmed to InsideSport that with neutral venue rules coming into existence they are deliberating to shift training base in Mumbai. Interestingly, in this year’s IPL, all matches will be played at neutral venues, no team will play at their home venue. “Yes certainly we will think about the possibility of shifting our camp but a decision will be taken in a week’s time. As of now we are starting our camp in Chennai with the players who are available,” Kashi observed. told earlier.
