Mumbai: Suresh Raina, who played under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings for first eight seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL), now wishes to step out of the shadows of his mentor.
The limited overs specialist will lead the Rajkot franchise Gujarat Lions team in IPL IX, which kicks off on Friday.
Raina was at his eloquent best at a promotional event for Gulf Petrochem at City Hall in Lower Parel, Mumbai. He seemed at ease with the media and patiently answered queries about himself and his new team. When asked how it felt to be captaining a team against Dhoni, a close friend for many years, Raina said: “I am not competing with Dhoni. It’s just not me who will be playing against him. I am competing against other seven teams. There are other players in the team too who were in the Chennai Super Kings squad, but will now ply their trade against Dhoni.”
The veteran Indian stumper will be leading the Rising Pune Supergiants, the other new franchise in this year’s IPL. However, Raina could not resist admitting it will be like moving from a house in which he lived for eight years. “It’s like moving house. I learnt many a thing from the seniors at CSK. Gujarat Lions will be my new house now. It’s difficult, but it will be a new challenge,” he remarked with his characteristic smile.
Raina, the highest run-getter of the IPL with 3,699 runs, is aware that the responsibility on him is huge. “All teams are well balanced, and I hope our team does well. I think we [at Gujarat Lions] have match-winning players in our side. Dwayne Bravo and Brendon McCullum are there, so there is enough experience in our dressing room. We are all looking forward to it. Gujarat did not have an IPL team before, so it’s a very good opportunity for the Gujaratis,” noted Raina.
However, Raina was not at his prolific best in the recent World Twenty20. Asked about that, Raina said: “We [Team India] did well as a batting unit. We were also good as a bowling unit barring a few games. It’s part and parcel of sport, some you win, some you lose. But I am happy for the West Indies. They played really well in this World Cup. They know the conditions and every player knew how to prepare themselves since they have played in the IPL.”
Raina scored just 41 runs in the recently concluded ICC World Twenty20 at an average of 10.25; but that does not worry Gujarat Lions team owner Keshav Bansal. Speaking at a function at the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium in Rajkot, he said: “Every player faces this problem in their career. Raina is a matured cricketer and I don’t think he would be under pressure leading a side for the first time in the IPL. Every player is under pressure to perform well, and Raina has very good track record. Our focus is to provide a suitable atmosphere for the players to perform well.”
What was Raina’s opinion about captaining in the IPL? “It’s not difficult to lead a team in the IPL because most are international players, and some have themselves led international teams. So they know what to do.”
So what will be his goal? “Just go there and smash (the ball). That’s what I’ve done with my old team and with the Indian team,” he remarked, displaying the same coolness and calmness of his former captain Dhoni.
