IPL 2022: CSK post heartwarming video for beloved 'Chinna Thala' Suresh Raina after parting ways with him

The IPL 2022 mega auction saw many players- experienced as well as emerging – make fortune for themselves with million-dollar contract deals and there were also a few of them who were bought back by their respective franchises. However, there were many renowned names who found no buyers and one of them happened to be Suresh Raina.

Raina, who had been one of the accomplished players of the Chennai Super Kings for over a decade, was one of the players not to be retained by the franchise on November 30, 2021, and even though his base price was INR 2 crore, neither of the other nine franchises showed any interest in having him on board. Lately, the defending champions have come forward and bid an emotional farewell to their beloved ‘Chinna Thala.’

CSK bid adieu to Suresh Raina with an emotional video

Taking to their official social media handles, the four-time champions posted a heartwarming video montage of the senior all-rounder, having captured all of the southpaw’s memorable moments ever since the inception of the marquee tournament in 2008. They went on to caption it as ‘Inside out since ’08! Anbuden Nandri Chinna Thala’.

💛 Inside out since '08! Anbuden Nandri Chinna Thala @imraina! 🦁
Full 📹 : https://t.co/sVOelS9LYt#SuperkingForever #WhistlePodu 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/uU5vLEl02C

— Chennai Super Kings – Mask P😷du Whistle P🥳du! (@ChennaiIPL) February 21, 2022

Suresh Raina, who is also nicknamed as ‘Mr. IPL’ was the leading run-scorer of the tournament not too long ago. He currently occupies the fourth spot having amassed 5528 runs from 205 matches averaging 32.51 and a strike rate of 136.76, including a century and 39 half-centuries. Apart from this, the middle-order sensation was also CSK’s man during the knockout phase. He has scored 714 runs from 24 outings averaging 37.57, a strike rate of 155.2 including seven fifties and occupies the top spot to date in a list that features some big names like MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Kieron Pollard.

The prolific left-hander has also hit the most number of fours (51) and the most number of sixes (40) in playoffs as well. Raina is the only player to date to be adjudged the Player of the Match in the Qualifier, Eliminator, and the Final. Meanwhile, CSK would be eyeing a record-equaling fifth IPL title in the upcoming season.