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The Indian T20 League is just months away and the fans are awaiting the 2023 edition, given that this might come as the last edition for the Chennai team’s captain and former team India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni. During a recent discussion on 'Legends Lounge' hosted by Jio Cinema, the likes of Chris Gayle, Suresh Raina, Anil Kumble, Parthiv Patel, Robin Uthappa and Scott Styris opined on the franchises.
The former New Zealand allrounder was quick enough to recollect an incident regarding South African allrounder Albie Morkel. Styris said that the southpaw’s father had never been to India and it was the Chennai franchise who flew him to the country on business and not on contract, as he claimed that it was a heart-warming gesture.
The Chennai franchise are known for having a close tie-up with players even after they bid goodbye to the franchise. Suresh Raina, the former Indian cricketer, intervened and claimed that they get pampered like babies and taken care of in the best way possible, to the delight of all of the Chennai fans out there.
Suresh Raina joins Scott Styris to speak on their experience with the Chennai franchise
Much to the surprise of the Indian fans, post the conclusion of the 2021 Indian T20 League, Raina was released from the franchise and neither of the teams came forward to bid for him in the mega-auction conducted ahead of the 2022 edition. However, the bond still remains the same as the southpaw is never in doubt of praising Dhoni and the team.
“His father had never been to India, so CSK flew him business, not in the contract; they didn’t have to do it,” Styris was quoted as saying during the discussion. “They give a lot of bonuses, too. You always feel like doing something special for them; you felt like a pampered kid,” Raina added as he opened up on the experience with the Chennai franchise.
After facing a dismal exit in the previous edition of the T20 extravaganza, the Chennai team would be hoping to turn things around this year. With the star English allrounder Ben Stokes in the camp, one could predict that it might come as a cracker of a season for the Dhoni-led team, given that they come up with positive intent.