"Raina is the biggest stalwart of CSK we’ve had" - Robin Uthappa
With the deadline being set for 30th November, all the eight existing IPL franchises have announced their retentions ahead of the mega auction of IPL 2022.
In that case, having a look at the CSK franchise, they have retained Ravindra Jadeja as their first player that followed by the former Indian skipper MS Dhoni and the English all-rounder Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
IPL franchises have been allowed to retain only four players ahead of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. So they have to drop many talented cricketers from the squad.
Moreover, the Chennai based franchise has also dropped one of their regular fixtures Suresh Raina who was a star for the side. However, Robin Uthappa who was roped by the franchise in IPL 2021 has stated that Suresh Raina would be the first player that CSK looks to bid in the mega auction of IPL 2022.
Raina has been the vital cog in the wheel: Robin Uthappa
The 36-year-old also claimed that Suresh Raina has played a vital role for Chennai Super Kings and they would be looking to but him in the mega auction of IPL 2022.
"Raina, I think is the biggest stalwart of CSK we’ve had. He’s been such an instrumental figure in helping CSK qualify to so many of the knockout stages in the last 10-12 years," Robin Uthappa said on Star Sports.
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"He has been the vital cog in the wheel, so I think he will be the first guy they will go after. Having said that, it must have been really difficult to let go of Faf but, I think the only thing that pegged it towards Moeen Ali was the fact that he is a two-dimensional player, with both the skills and unfortunately, they had to make that choice," he added.
Considering the reports from the other sources, the mega auction of IPL 2022 will be commenced during the end of December or at the start of January month. So it will be interesting to see CSK's approach in the mega auction and their buys ahead of the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League.