Suresh Raina was asked a fictitious but intense question in a recent podcast: “Your team needs 20 runs in the final over, who would you choose as your batting partner?”
Raina said confidently and without missing a beat, “MS Dhoni.”
With a mic-drop comment, Raina rejected the hosts’ offer of options, saying, “I don’t want options!”
This conversation is the ideal representation of Raina’s friendship and steadfast faith with his longstanding Chennai Super Kings (CSK) colleague, Dhoni.
Although there are lingering questions about whether Dhoni would participate in another Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Raina is adamant that Dhoni has more to give, particularly in terms of coaching the next generation.
Prior to IPL 2024, Dhoni had signaled a change in leadership by giving the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
On August 15, 2020, Raina and Dhoni announced their retirements from international cricket, however Raina feels the great skipper should play one more season.
Speaking to Sports Tak, Raina stated that he hoped Dhoni will mentor Gaikwad for another season, assisting the young player in developing his leadership abilities. Raina has reason to believe in Dhoni.
Even though he battled a knee ailment in the previous IPL season, Dhoni was able to adjust to a finishing role and score significant runs at a lower position in the order. The “Thala” demonstrated that he still has fire in him with his incredible strike rate of 220.25, scoring 161 runs in 14 matches.
Dhoni’s future is still up in the air as the IPL gets closer to its massive players’ auction for the 2025 campaign.
But before making a choice, Dhoni has said he will wait to read the auction regulations, especially the ones pertaining to player retention. Dhoni stated, “It has to be in the best interest of the team (CSK)”.
