Chennai: Minutes after Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday (August 15) evening, Suresh Raina followed suit. Neither decision came as a major surprise, but many wondered how the Team India and Chennai Super Kings teammates had chosen the same date to call it quits from the international arena.
Raina, who joined Dhoni at the Chennai Super Kings’ pre-IPL camp on Friday, said that he knew his captain would announce his retirement after reaching Chennai.
“We had already made up our minds to retire on Saturday (August 15). Dhoni’s jersey number is 7 and mine is 3 – put them together and it makes 73. And on August 15, India completed 73 years of independence, so there couldn’t have been a better day,” Raina said in an interview to Dainik Jagran.
After announcing their retirement, Raina revealed he and Dhoni “hugged each other and cried”. Thereafter, they sat with CSK teammates and talked about their careers.
It was learnt that the Chennai franchise has told Dhoni, one of India’s most successful captains, that he can continue playing for CSK in IPL as long as he wants. And once he hangs up his boots permanently, CSK would want him in some role or the other.
The 2020 IPL, which got delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be held in the UAE from September 19. CSK are scheduled to leave for the UAE later this week.
