Suresh Raina, who represented Chennai Super Kings for eight seasons, finds it hard to imagine what would happen when his new franchisee Gujarat face Pune, led by M.S. Dhoni.
Suresh Raina, who represented Chennai Super Kings for eight seasons, finds it hard to imagine what would happen when his new franchisee Gujarat face Pune, led by M.S. Dhoni.
“Dhoni and I have played together enough including a few finals and I know how to stop him.
“It will be a challenge to stop Dhoni playing the helicopter shot. Me and Dhoni talked in Australia how we will be in different teams, but it will be fun. Imagine Dhoni getting out to Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) and (Dwayne) Bravo dancing,” a smiling Raina said as he was officially unveiled as captain of the Rajkot-based IPL team Gujarat Lions.
Raina said having James Faulkner in the squad will add to the balance of the side.
“Myself, Jadeja, McCullum and Dwayne Bravo have already played together for the CSK. With Faulkner joining us, the team will have great balance. I hope we will get good players from the auction too.
“There is a lot of talented Indian as well as overseas cricketers in the auction pool,” said the left-hander,
who has played a record 214 T20 matches which includes international, IPL and domestic appearances.
While Chennai Super Kings will not be a part for the next two years, Raina feels the time spent in the CSK camp made him a “better cricketer”.
“It would be emotional moment for me as I would play for a different team this year.
“In the last eight years, I have never missed an IPL game and the stint with CSK has made me a matured cricketer. But Gujarat never had an IPL team before and I would like everyone to come to Rajkot and support us.
