Cricket

Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina Reunite Ahead of Crucial RCB-CSK ClashAhead of the pivotal Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), former CSK veteran Suresh Raina extended his heartfelt wishes to Virat Kohli, the formidable captain of RCB. The match holds immense significance for both teams, as it could determine their fate in the tournament.Raina, who was present at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for his broadcasting duties, had a heartwarming reunion with his former India teammate, Kohli. The two cricket stars, who have shared numerous memorable moments on the field, came together before the crucial clash.During their meeting, Raina expressed his affection for Kohli, referring to him as his 'brother'. The gesture highlighted the strong bond and camaraderie that the two players have developed over the years, having represented India together in numerous international matches.Raina took to social media platform 'X' and posted an image with the batting maestro, stating, "Good to see you, @imVkohli brother. Best wishes always!"Raina also conveyed his best wishes to Kohli for the upcoming game, showcasing the sportsmanship and mutual respect between the two cricketers.Following CSK's impressive victory against RCB in the tournament opener, both teams are now set to battle it out for a coveted playoff spot.RCB's Path to the Playoffs:After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) lost to Delhi Capitals (DC) on Tuesday, RCB now need to secure a victory against CSK in their last league game by either:* Winning by 18 runs.* Chasing the target within 18.1 overs.This is necessary to surpass CSK's Net Run Rate (NRR).Qualification Scenarios for RCB and CSK:* If Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) loses both of their matches, then both CSK and RCB have a chance to qualify.* RCB's qualification hinges on winning their last match, regardless of their Net Run Rate.

MS Dhoni's immense popularity in the cricket world is undeniable. His presence on the field electrifies the atmosphere, with every stroke of his bat met with thunderous applause and chants of adoration. Former CSK teammate Ambati Rayudu believes that Chennai Super Kings fans are primarily Dhoni fans, stating that even when other players hit boundaries, the crowd remains silent.In a crucial match against the Rajasthan Royals, the Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The Yellow Brigade secured a commanding five-wicket win, propelling them to third place in the points table.Post-match, emotions ran high at the MA Chidambaram Stadium as fans witnessed the heartwarming reunion between Dhoni and Suresh Raina, known as 'Chinna Thala' to supporters. CSK celebrated their triumph with a lap around the stadium, during which Dhoni and Raina distributed tennis balls as memorabilia.Despite being the defending champions, CSK's playoff berth is still uncertain, adding an element of suspense to their campaign. The team's final group fixture at their Chennai stronghold will determine their fate in the tournament.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) concluded their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 league campaign with a resounding victory over Rajasthan Royals at Chepauk on Sunday. The triumph not only boosted their playoff hopes but also provided a heartwarming moment for fans.After the match, CSK players and support staff embarked on a victory lap, expressing their gratitude to the loyal supporters who have stood by them over the years. Captain MS Dhoni, known for his enigmatic nature, surprised the crowd by smashing tennis balls into the stands using a racquet.Amidst the celebrations, a commentator posed a question that had been on the minds of many: would this be Dhoni's final game in Chennai? Suresh Raina, former India and CSK star, responded with a resounding "Definitely Not."CSK's post-match gesture further endeared them to their fans. Several supporters were invited to present medals to the players, creating a memorable and emotional moment.Despite being their final league game at home, Chepauk will host two more crucial matches this season: Qualifier 2 and the Final. Whether CSK will qualify for these matches remains to be seen.In the match against Rajasthan Royals, CSK chased down a target of 142 runs with 11 balls to spare. Pacer Simarjeet Singh was adjudged Player of the Match for his impressive performance.CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed his delight after the victory: "It's a wonderful feeling, especially winning the final game of the league stage. We had a few hiccups, but we had the batters to finish the job. We prefer pitches that keep our bowlers in the game, especially the spinners."

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina's cousin, Saurabh Kumar, and his friend Shubham were tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident near Gaggal airport in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday night. The incident occurred around 11:30 pm when the victims' scooter collided with a car driven by Sher Singh.According to the police, Singh fled the scene but was later arrested in Mandi with the help of CCTV footage. He has been charged under sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code, along with section 187 of the Motor Vehicles Act.The incident has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community and beyond. Raina, who is currently playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), expressed his grief and condolences on social media."My heart is broken. I have lost my cousin brother Saurabh Kumar and his friend Shubham in a tragic accident. They were like my own brothers. I can't believe they are gone," Raina tweeted.Raina's decision to withdraw from the IPL 2020 season in the UAE was also due to a family tragedy. He revealed that his relatives were killed in Punjab by a group of gangsters, and he needed to be with his family during this difficult time."There was bereavement in the family, I went to Punjab. In my uncle's family, there were deaths. The kaccha gang..who come with oil on their body. A group of gangsters killed the entire family, my grandmother was also there. It happened in Pathankot. So I went there. But there was a bio-bubble in the IPL, where you couldn't return. My father was very upset. When the Kachche gang did what they did, my entire family was in stress. I thought cricket came next, I could play anytime, first, my family was important," Raina said during an interaction on Lallantop.The cricketing fraternity has come together to offer their support to Raina and his family during this difficult time. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed its condolences and said that it would provide all necessary assistance to Raina and his family.

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stalwart Suresh Raina has made a passionate plea to BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar to include star CSK all-rounder Shivam Dube in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. Raina's appeal highlights Dube's significant contributions and the value he brings to the team.Dube has consistently showcased his exceptional skills and temperament, making him a formidable force on the field. His ability to excel under pressure, particularly in high-stakes matches, makes him an ideal candidate for the global tournament.In a recent match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Dube played a blistering knock of 66 runs off just 27 balls, including three fours and seven massive sixes. His explosive batting propelled CSK to a competitive total of 210/4.Dube's impressive performance in the IPL has earned him widespread recognition. He has surpassed the 1000-run mark for CSK, demonstrating his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure.Raina's advocacy for Dube stems from his belief that the all-rounder possesses the necessary skills and experience to succeed on the international stage. Dube's versatility, both as a batsman and a bowler, makes him a valuable asset to any team.With the T20 World Cup approaching, Raina's plea to Agarkar underscores the importance of selecting players who can perform under pressure and contribute to the team's success. Dube's inclusion in the squad would provide India with a dynamic and explosive all-rounder who can make a significant impact on the tournament.

Suresh Raina Recounts Dhoni's Uncharacteristic Anger After CSK's IPL 2014 Qualifier 2 LossFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Suresh Raina has shed light on an untold incident involving legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni after CSK's heartbreaking loss to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2014.Raina, who was a key member of the CSK team at the time, recalled that he had never witnessed Dhoni as furious as he was after that match. He revealed that Dhoni vented his frustration by throwing his pads and helmet in the dressing room."I have never seen Dhoni that angry. He vented it out after that match. He was like 'we don't score runs, we don't do this, that'. He threw his pads and helmet in the dressing room. He was irritated that we lost a match that we should have won. He was angry because we lost a match that we shouldn't have. Otherwise, we would have won the IPL that year as well," Raina said during a discussion on Lallantop.Recalling the match, Punjab had posted a mammoth 226/6 after Dhoni invited them to bat in Qualifier 2. Virender Sehwag led the charge with a 122-run knock off 58 balls while David Miller smashed 38 off just 19 balls.In reply, Raina smashed 87 off just 25 balls to give CSK a brisk start. However, CSK lost the match by 24 runs with Dhoni unbeaten on 42 off 31 balls. Dhoni was later criticized for his slow knock.Raina also recalled his own knock in the match, saying that he felt like no one could stop him that night."I felt like a man possessed. The previous day, I had a dream that I would do something special. I was seeing the ball like a football. But, I was run out. The ball hitting the bat gave me a very different sound. I was feeling like no one could stop me," he added.Meanwhile, Raina retired from all forms of the game after the IPL 2021 season and has been actively involved in commentary since then.

Suresh Raina Opens Up on IPL 2020 Withdrawal: Family Tragedy and Bio-Bubble ConcernsChennai Super Kings legend Suresh Raina has shed light on the reasons behind his controversial withdrawal from the IPL 2020 season in the UAE. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Raina had initially traveled to the country with the rest of the players but pulled out before the start of the season, citing personal reasons and concerns about the bio-bubble arrangements.Addressing the rumors surrounding his decision, Raina revealed that he left the bio-bubble to be with his family after a tragic incident in Punjab. "There was bereavement in the family, I went to Punjab. In my uncle's family, there were deaths. The kaccha gang...who come with oil on their body. A group of gangsters killed the entire family, my grandmother was also there. It happened in Pathankot. So I went there," Raina said.Raina emphasized that the situation back home was chaotic, and the ongoing pandemic made it even more difficult. "Yes, I told this to MS Dhoni and the team management. Family comes first. Then I returned, we played the 2021 season. We won the trophy. But the previous year, the family was in chaos. They were all in depression already due to COVID-19 and then this happened. I thought I should go home and be with my family," he added.Raina's decision to prioritize his family over cricket sparked speculation and criticism at the time. However, he maintains that it was the right choice for him. "Cricket came next, I could play anytime, first, my family was important," he said.After missing the 2020 season, Raina returned to CSK the next year and helped them win the title. It turned out to be his last season as later that year, he decided to announce his retirement from all formats of the game.

Suresh Raina, the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter, has attributed the team's success in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to its strict no-partying culture. Raina, who spent the majority of his IPL career with CSK, believes that franchises that have not won the league have indulged in excessive partying.In an interview, Raina took a subtle dig at these franchises, saying, "Only those who are used to partying haven't won (the league)." He further elaborated, "Chennai never partied. That's why they have been the most successful. 2-3 teams who partied have not won the IPL yet."Raina emphasized the importance of discipline and focus in achieving success in the IPL. He questioned how teams could expect to perform well on the field if they were partying late into the night. "If you party late into the night, how will you play in the morning? In May-June's heat, how will you play afternoon games if you have partied all night?" he asked.The former India star also highlighted the fact that many players in the IPL are also representing India. He stressed the need for players to prioritize their national commitments and maintain a healthy lifestyle. "We are also playing for India, keep in mind. If I don't play well, why will my captain select me?" he said.Raina's comments have sparked a debate about the role of partying in the IPL. While some believe that it is a harmless way for players to relax and socialize, others argue that it can negatively impact their performance on the field.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have endured a dismal start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, winning only one of their first seven matches. Captain Faf du Plessis has repeatedly singled out individual players for costly mistakes, drawing criticism from former Chennai Super Kings teammate Suresh Raina.After RCB's defeat to the Rajasthan Royals, Du Plessis blamed a 20-run over by Mayank Dagar as the turning point. "The pitch got better, but that over shifted the momentum back on us," he said.Raina, in an interview with Lallantop, condemned Du Plessis's comments, arguing that they undermined the team's unity. "It's not right to throw a junior under the bus like that," he said. "The captain himself hasn't been scoring runs. He should support the youngsters."Raina also highlighted the importance of fostering a positive environment for young players. "You'd never see Rohit Sharma say something like this," he said, referring to the Mumbai Indians captain's reputation for supporting his team.Raina's criticism reflects a growing concern among cricket experts that Du Plessis's leadership style may be detrimental to RCB's performance. Some have suggested that his focus on individual accountability could create a culture of fear and stifle the team's creativity.Meanwhile, Raina announced plans to open an academy in Jammu and Kashmir. "I wanted them to choose bat and ball," he said, referring to the region's history of stone-throwing incidents.