IPL 2018: Stephen Fleming terms Suresh Raina as 'irreplaceable'

The Chennai Super Kings are the only team other than Sunrisers Hyderabad to remain unbeaten in the tournament after playing two games in this season. The MS Dhoni-led franchise won the first game against the defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede. In the second game, Sam Billings’ knock propelled the side to the win against KKR at Chepauk.

However, despite winning two games in the season, CSK is currently a depleted side after losing Suresh Raina for two upcoming games against Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals. Speaking about the same, head coach of the franchise, Stephen Fleming said that Raina is irreplaceable and revealed his replacement options available for both the upcoming games.

“We can’t replace him (Raina), he’s one of the best performing players in the IPL and the highest run-scorer in the history (of the league). So we can’t replace him, we just got to find a way to minimize his loss. We’ve got good players in our set-up – Dhruv Shorey, Murali Vijay who’s played here last year. So there are guys here with points to prove, with international experience, and if they get the chance they’ll do their best what Suresh Raina can do,” said Fleming according to Cricbuzz.

The best chance to cash in

Fleming added that the new-comer in Raina’s place will have the best chance to prove themselves and cement their place in the playing XI. Former NZ skipper seemed confident of Raina staying fit for the game against Rajasthan Royals, but they don’t want to rush him in.

“(This is) an opportunity for someone else but you’d like to get someone like Suresh Raina back into your side as quick as possible. The blessing is we’ve got another four days in between and there might be a chance that he could be fit for the next game but we won’t rush him.”

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