With IPL 2021 about to resume after a brief hiatus due to COVID-19, Suresh Raina of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made a significant statement by announcing that he will not return to the Indian Premier League if MS Dhoni does not. The former India all-rounder stated that he will only play for CSK if Dhoni returns for the following season, and that if he does not, he will not return to the lucrative league.
Suresh Raina, on the other hand, stated that if the two did play for IPL 2021 and won this year, he would get Mahi to join him for Chennai next year as well. Raina told News 24 Sports, “I have four to five years remaining in me.” This year’s IPL will be followed by two additional teams the following year. But I suppose I’ll stick to playing for CSK till I retire. I’m hoping we have a good year this year.”
The BCCI confirmed last month that the balance of the IPL 2021 will be played in the UAE in September and October. IPL 2021 will be held in the UAE from September 19 to October 15, according to BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Vice-President Rajeev Shulka. While the return of the IPL was welcomed by fans, the change in location has presented numerous problems.
Franchises are experiencing difficulties as a result of the prolongation of the flying ban from India. Furthermore, with events such as Dubai EXPO 2020 and the T20 World Cup 2021 set to take place in the Gulf nation in October, franchisees are concerned about logistics such as hotel bookings. According to an ANI report, the BCCI has yet to provide permission to IPL franchises that have indicated a desire to visit the UAE in order to finalise hotel deals and organise logistics.