Three-time champions Chennai Super Kings are going through a difficult period ahead of the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After 13 members including two cricketers tested COVID-19 positive, stalwart Suresh Raina pulled out of IPL 2020 and returned to India. In the wake of the development, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has provided an update on replacement of Suresh Raina.
Raina shocked the world pulling out of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. Reports state that Raina departed from the UAE gripped with COVID-19 fear. The cricketer felt homesick in these difficult time with his family including his wife and two children back in India.
Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan took to Twitter to share the news of Raina pulling out. He also offered to stand by the former India international and his family in these testing times.
“Suresh Raina has returned to India for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of the IPL season. Chennai Super Kings offers complete support to Suresh and his family during this time,” CSK wrote on Twitter.
Suresh Raina has returned to India for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of the IPL season. Chennai Super Kings offers complete support to Suresh and his family during this time.
KS Viswanathan
CEO— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 29, 2020
CSK unlikely to go for a replacement of Suresh Raina
Meanwhile, the absence of Suresh Raina can turn out to be fatal for MS Dhoni-led Chennai. He has been their go-to man in the batting and also their highest run-scorer. With Raina not in the plan now, Dhoni and the management will have to revamp their batting and slot in someone at No.3.
There has been a slot of speculations going around on who can be the possible replacement of Raina. However, Chennai are unlikely to go for a replacement right away. Super Kings’ CEO Kasi Viswanathan has confirmed the same, according to The Times of India.
“It is his personal decision to go back and we will never question that. He has always given his best for CSK and we honour that,” Viswanathan told the news outlet.
Moreover, Chennai Super Kings have been massive hit ahead of IPL 2020. 13 members of them including two cricketers – Deepak Chahar and Ruturaj Gaikwad have tested COVID-19 positive. They will now have to remain in a 14-day quarantine and give two negative tests in 48 hours to join the squad.
