'Aisa downfall mera dushman ko bhi na de' - Fans react as Suresh Raina reportedly to be part of Lanka Premier League 2023 player auction

Suresh Raina (Source: Twitter)

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has reportedly signed up for the Lankan Premier League 2023 (LPL) player auction. According to reports, the star all-rounder has set his base price at $50,000 and will participate in the June 14 player auction. The fourth edition of the T20 tournament will be played from July 30 to August 20.

Given Raina's immense experience of playing franchise cricket and his strength in all three departments, the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vice-captain is expected to fetch a good offer in the LPL 2023 auction.

The 36-year-old announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in September 2022. Since then, he has been playing in various T20 cricket leagues around the world and has also done commentary for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season.

The southpaw has featured in the Abu Dhabhi T10 2023 tournament in December 2022 where he scored just 36 runs for the eventual champions Deccan Gladiators. Raina also played Legends League Cricket (LLC) for India Maharajas in March this year.

Apart from Raina, prominent players including Chris Lynn, Rassie van der Dussen, Tamim Iqbal, and Colin de Grandhomme will also go under the hammer at the player auction. Notably, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan is the only Indian cricketer to feature in the Lankan Premier League. The all-rounder played for Kandy Tuskers during the LPL 2020.

It is reported that over 140 overseas cricketers have registered for the auction. The latest LPL auction will feature an IPL-style auction for the first time. Five franchises will participate in the LPL 2023 auction, with each team able to spend $500,000.

Here is the list of pre-selected players for LPL 2023:

Pakistan captain Babar Azam, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and South African power-hitter David Miller are among the star overseas players confirmed to play in the LPL 2023.

Colombo Strikers: Babar Azam, Matheesha Pathirana, Naseem Shah, Chamika Karunaratne

Dambulla Aura: Matthew Wade, Kusal Mendis, Lungi Ngidi, Avishka Fernando

Jaffna Kings: David Miller, Thisara Perera, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Maheesh Theekshana

Kandy Falcons: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wanindu Hasaranga, Fakhar Zaman, Angelo Mathews

Galle Gladiators: Shakib Al Hasan, Dasun Shanaka, Tabraiz Shamsi, Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Here's how fans reacted to reports of Suresh Raina signing up for the LPL 2023 player auction:

Bhagwan Aisa downfall mera dushman ko bhi na de 😭🙏🏻

— Wood (@mark_154) June 11, 2023

Agar Thala ne Raina bhai ko dhoka nahi diya hota toh abtak Raina CSK ka captain hota 😔

— Rohit 🇮🇳 (@itsrohit1301) June 11, 2023

From playing ipl to LPL 😭😭

— Aarav Mavi (@AaravMavi14) June 11, 2023

Man retired from ipl to play lanka premier league 🥲😭😆

— SaKSHam (@iNxSaksham18) June 11, 2023

Atleast he'll get bid there😭

— r4hul☭ (@retd_ICTIAN) June 11, 2023

Comeback time 💛
A lot of things are yet to be achieved

— Shubham Odarkar 🇮🇳 (@shubham_odarkar) June 11, 2023

Ab bhi mujhme kahi baki hai zindagi..

— CricXP (@CricXP) June 11, 2023

Socho.. Agar Wo Colombo Me Khele? Under Babar Captaincy 🤗😃😃

— ~Waheed 🇵🇰 (@Wah33dKhann) June 11, 2023

Will never forgive csk for this 👎

— Z 🦁 (@Mahiizaid) June 11, 2023