CSK, RCB Thrown Out!! Suresh Raina Lists 1 IPL Team He Will Play For

Published - 02 May 2025, 02:29 PM | Updated - 02 May 2025, 11:34 PM

Suresh Raina

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If allowed to play in the IPL again, former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Suresh Raina disclosed which franchise he would pick.

Raina stated that he would love to play with Rohit Sharma and that he would rather play for the Mumbai Indians (MI) than the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

During his IPL career, Suresh Raina played for just two teams: the Chennai Super Kings and the now-defunct Gujarat Lions.

In September 2022, the southpaw quit playing cricket in all competitions, including the IPL. Raina made his final league debut against the Rajasthan Royals.

Suresh Raina’s amazing IPL career

Many people consider Suresh Raina to be among the most reliable players in IPL history. After a dismal 2021 season, the Chennai Super Kings decided not to keep him. With a base price of ₹2 crore, he joined the 2022 IPL mega auction but was not sold.

Raina amassed 4,687 runs in 171 innings throughout his 11 seasons with the team, including 33 fifties and a century. On the list of CSK's all-time top run scorers, the left-handed batter comes in second. He was crucial to CSK's championship victories in 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2021.

Raina played in 205 IPL games and amassed 5,528 runs at a strike rate of over 136 and an average of 32.52. On August 15, 2020, the southpaw and MS Dhoni announced their retirement from international cricket.

Suresh Raina picks Mumbai Indians; says he wanted to bat with Rohit Sharma

Raina stated in an interview with Filmygyan that he would pick the Mumbai Indians if he were allowed to play in the IPL again. He said he wanted to play at Wankhede Stadium and enjoy cricket in the West.

"MI. I’ve already played in the South, so I’d like to experience playing in the West. I’ve always wanted to play for MI. Imagine Rohit and me batting—he's opening, and then me. I think I would love to see that, playing eight games at one Wankhede wicket," Raina said.

The greatest lineup for him, according to Raina, would include great players like Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh, Rohit Sharma, and Kieron Pollard. He claimed he would adore the chance to be a part of MI, calling it the best franchise.

"It would be the best for me, batting with Rohit. Then you’ve got Paaji and Rohit opening, me at three, followed by Pollard. Then there’s Bravo, Bhajju Pa, Ashish Nehra, and Zaheer Khan. And on top of that, you’re playing for the best franchise. I would absolutely love that," he added.