Suresh Raina names his all-time CSK XI; excludes Ruturaj Gaikwad
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Suresh Raina, fondly called “Chinna Thala” by fans, revealed his all-time CSK XI but left out some big names, including current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, Suresh Raina unveiled his picks. He went with Murali Vijay and Matthew Hayden as openers—Vijay scored 1,708 runs in 70 IPL matches for CSK, while Hayden won the Orange Cap in 2009. At No. 3, he slotted in Michael Hussey, who has also served as CSK’s batting coach since 2018. The middle-order featured Suresh Raina himself along with Subramaniam Badrinath, while Albie Morkel was chosen as the all-rounder. For pace options, he picked Doug Bollinger, L. Balaji, and Mohit Sharma. His spin trio included Shadab Jakati, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. As expected, Suresh Raina named MS Dhoni as both captain and wicketkeeper of his XI. Interestingly, he went with 13 players in total, designating Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan as his Impact Player. Suresh Raina’s All-Time CSK XI Murali Vijay, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, Subramaniam Badrinath, Albie Morkel, Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, L Balaji, Mohit Sharma, Muttiah Muralitharan (Impact Player). Raina, fondly known as Mr. IPL, represented the Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2015. During CSK’s two-year suspension, he captained the now-defunct Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017. He made his return to CSK in 2018 and continued with the franchise until his final IPL season in 2021. Suresh Raina: As for the franchise, CSK remain one of the most decorated sides in IPL history, winning the trophy five times—in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. However, the 2025 season proved to be their toughest campaign yet, as they finished at the bottom of the table and missed out on the playoffs. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Masterstroke Revealed: Suresh Raina on What Led India to ICC Champions Trophy 2013 Win
Suresh Raina retired from international cricket in 2020. India enters the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as one of the tournament’s favorites, having showcased remarkable dominance in white-ball cricket. The Men in Blue reached the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and went on to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Placed in Group B, India will start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. They will then face arch-rivals Pakistan and New Zealand on February 23 and March 2, respectively, at the same venue. Reflecting on his career, former Indian batter Suresh Raina has shared a tactical masterstroke that contributed to India’s victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Suresh Raina reveals what helped India win the ICC Champions Trophy 2013: Speaking on The Suresh Raina Experience: Champions Trophy Special, Raina described Rohit Sharma’s promotion to the opening slot as a “masterstroke,” which played a pivotal role in India’s victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Raina said, “It was a masterstroke. Look at the way they batted—they focused on timing instead of forcing shots. They attacked only when the delivery warranted it. Rohit, technically sound, wore the ball down before accelerating, while Shikhar took on the bowlers with his aggressive style.” Raina further explained that Dhawan’s natural aggression complemented Rohit’s ability to find boundaries effortlessly. He also highlighted how the duo consistently formed big partnerships. “Left-right combinations always trouble bowlers, and Shikhar was aggressive in his own way. Rohit could hit a six whenever he wanted,” Raina said. “Their partnerships were seamless. A 100-run stand would quickly turn into 150. They had a great understanding and trusted each other’s calls, which made all the difference.” Dhawan ended the tournament as the top run-scorer with 363 runs in five innings, while Rohit’s limited-overs career saw a significant transformation after the tournament. India will look to replicate their 2013 success in the upcoming Champions Trophy. E2Bet welcomes you! Fun and exciting games at your fingertips!