Suresh Raina will be back playing the IPL after missing first few games: Deep Dasgupta

One of the most successful IPL franchises, Chennai Super Kings were jolted with major blows in the past few days. Along with multiple members testing COVID-19 positive, the franchise also witnessed the departure of Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh.

Both the CSK veterans decided to pull out of IPL 2020 due to personal reasons, leaving a big void before the commencement of IPL 2020. CSK are yet to announce replacements for either Raina or Harbhajan but former India international Deep Dasgupta has stated that the ‘Chinna Thala’ might be back in the UAE to join the Yellow Army.

Suresh Raina might miss out first few games due to quarantine rules

Dasgupta believes that Raina might miss the first few games of CSK because of the quarantine rules but he might strengthen the squad upon his return. Raina has been a vital part of franchise and Dasgupta feels CSK haven’t announced his replacement yet as he is hinting a return.

“I have a feeling that Suresh Raina will be back playing the IPL. He might miss out on the first few games because of the quarantine rules and all but I have a feeling that Suresh will be back,” Dasgupta told ESPNCricinfo. “I won’t be surprised if they don’t pick a replacement for Suresh.”

Raina also hasn’t ruled out the possibility of him boarding the flight to the UAE before the cash-rich league starts. “I’ve been training even while quarantining here. You never know you might see me in the camp there again,” Raina had recently said.

For Harbhajan, who was the latest player to skip this year’s IPL, Dasgupta believes CSK can rope in Jalaj Saxena as an ideal replacement due to his all-round skills.  Harbhajan is currently in Jalandhar. Many had even predicted that he won’t participate in IPL 2020 as he had not travelled with the team to the UAE.

“As far as the replacement is concerned, there aren’t too many options. But I think Jalaj Saxena deserves a place, he’s a good enough all-rounder. I think they might look at him, he’s a very good option for Bhajji’s replacement,” Dasgupta added.