IPL 2021: Suresh Raina's die-hard fan performs aarti for Chennai Super Kings

In a nation as cricket-frenzied as India, the passion of the fans knows no bounds. The Indian followers have time and again proved their love not just for the sport but even the players. And the advent of the Indian Premier League has given only more reasons to the public to watch cricket and feel connected to it.

Having stayed around for 14 years now, the IPL has become the most beloved and renowned short-format league across the world. Speaking of the league’s popularity amongst the masses, even the respective franchises have large fan bases, who have stood out in showing their support over the years.

The MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings happens to be one of the most popular teams in the eight-team league, with both Dhoni and Suresh Raina being the chief source of attraction. In one such crazy example of the kind of impact these players have on people’s minds, a recent video surfaced on the internet shows an ardent Raina fan worshipping the batsman as he came out against the Delhi Capitals in the second game of the league.

Once a legend will always be a legend 🙏🙏 . The kind of love he gained among audience was something special . We love you 😘 #Thala @ImRaina forever and ever . Finally this video made my day !! @ChennaiIPL #CSKvDC #CSK #WhistlePodu #Yellove #IPL2021 #Raina #SureshRaina #IPL #Csk pic.twitter.com/vD4smthfF9

— Akash (@Raju_SSMB) April 10, 2021

Suresh Raina shines on IPL comeback

Notably, Suresh Raina had abruptly backed out of the previous edition of the IPL, a season in which CSK underperformed severely and scripted a historic low as they failed to make it into the Playoffs for the first time.

However, beefed up by his addition this time, CSK managed to put a massive score against the Capitals on 10th April 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium. In what was a letdown by the bowlers, they were handed a 7-wicket defeat as DC, who were led by brilliant half-centuries from both Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan, chased 189 with more than an over to spare.

Despite the loss, the biggest positive for the team was the promising show put up by Raina on return, as the southpaw smashed 54 from just 36 deliveries, including three fours and four maximums. He was involved in a couple of half-century stands, which bailed a reeling CSK out of trouble. Although, the efforts eventually went in vain. CSK will next face Punjab Kings at the same venue on 16th April 2021.