If MS Dhoni is Thala, then Suresh Raina is the Chinna Thala in Chennai

After completing their two years’ suspension, the Chennai Super Kings franchise is all set to make a comeback in the new decade of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 11. However, the adulation for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stars shows no glimpses of fading away despite the franchise being dysfunctional for the past 2 years.

While we all know how MS Dhoni is adorably known as ‘Thala’ in Chennai, even Suresh Raina has a great fan following there and is tagged as ‘Chinna Thala’. Both have been the most followed players in the city ever since the inception of the IPL. With the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament, Raina is back to playing in the city as he leads Uttar Pradesh.

After playing their first game at the Murugappa Ground, the UP team is playing their second round game versus Mumbai at the SRMC ground in Porur. Hundreds of fans gathered around the ground to cheer for Raina and even tried to rush into the field during breaks to take a selfie with their ‘Chinna Thala’. The cricketer graciously posed for it.

Even today, the college students who had been watching the game charged towards the field at tea break. Raina again obliged but the situation went out of hand as hundreds of fans flocked the ground. That’s when the officials had to intervene and escort Raina back to the pavilion.

“Cricket fans here are crazy about Raina. In Murugappa also, it was tough to restrict fans. They all love him. He posed for selfies and greeted them. But then security is our biggest concern. So we try to ensure things don’t get out of hand,” said an official.

Raina had earlier even tweeted a practise video ahead of the tournament

As we gear up for tomorrow's match #UPCAvsMumbai! #BuchiBabu #Chennai @UPCACricket✌️ pic.twitter.com/769ySPo9rh

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) September 4, 2017

When asked about training here in Chennai was a Deja Vu for him, Raina responded, “I would love to come back to CSK and play under Dhoni again. Coming back to Chennai and meeting all the groundsmen, I am getting all the fond memories back,” he had said.