When MS Dhoni took permission from Suresh Raina to include this player in CSK playing XI

Suresh Raina played his last match in the IPL under MS Dhoni for CSK in 2021.

Suresh Raina is a legend in the Indian Premier League. He was the backbone of the Chennai Super Kings over the years and won numerous games for MS Dhoni and his team. But there was a time in the 2021 edition when the southpaw was sidelined and never got another chance. Raina played his last IPL innings in 2021 against Rajasthan Royals and was benched for the remainder of the IPL 2021.

Raina played 12 seasons for CSK between 2008 and 2021 and featured in 176 games. He is still the leading scorer for the Yellow Army, scoring 4687 runs at an average of 33.19 and a strike rate of 138.91, with two centuries and 38 half-centuries. He also led the team in absence of MS Dhoni in a few games. In his recent interview on Jio Cinema, Raina made an exclusive revelation about his omission from the playing XI in the IPL 2021.

Robin Uthappa replaced Suresh Raina in the playing XI in IPL 2021

Robin Uthappa was traded in Chennai Super Kings from Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2021. Raina sustained an injury and was dropped and it was Uthappa who took his place in the team. That time Dhoni revealed Raina was injured but he never got any second chance and Uthappa played all the other games. In his recent interaction, the southpaw opened up on his omission and said that it was a tactical move and MSD discussed it with him and took permission.

Raina revealed, "When MS Dhoni and I talked, I suggested him that ‘you should try Robin Uthappa’. He (Dhoni) took permission from me to play you and I said him that ‘he is the guy to give you the final, trust me.’ MS Dhoni said that ‘See we have played since 2008 but I want to win this season. Now, you tell me what to do. I said ‘play Robin at number 3 and make sure he is in the playing XI till the final. If you win, CSK will win. Whether I play or him, Robin and Raina are the same."

Raina played 12 games in IPL 2021 and scored only 160 runs at an average of 17.77 and a strike rate of 125. On the other hand, Uthappa played four matches, including the final and scored 115 runs at 28.75 and a strike rate of 136.90. CSK won that season and Uthappa played a brilliant cameo of 31 off 15 in the final match.