Gujarat Lions skipper Suresh Raina, who was also MSDhoni‘s trusted lieutenants during the best days of Chennai Super Kings feels disappointed with the way MSD was removed from Rising Pune Supergiant’s captaincy.
“I was disappointed. He has done so well for the country as well as for the IPL teams. He should be respected every time. It’s about not me saying, it’s the world saying,” Raina said.
Dhoni has faced criticism from all quarters due to his poor form with the bat in the ongoing IPL but Raina has come in support of the star wicket-keeper batsman.
“Having shared the dressing room with him (for India and CSK), you know what goes through when one faces hardships. He (Dhoni) should be respected as a player. In any profession, be it as a player or a journalist, you need to be respected. Even a player, however short his career span may be, wants to earn respect.”
When asked whether it’s affecting Dhoni, he said: “I don’t think. He’s back among runs. Hope he will do well better after two-three matches. We have only played five matches. After sometime the picture will be clear. He should bat up the order and bat long. He’s a world class finisher.”
The southpaw also termed his eight-year stint with CSK as the ‘best experience’.
“The time I spent with Chennai Super Kings will always remain special. We have won so many trophies, be it IPL or Champions League T20. When I was very young, it gave me a great learning opportunity by being among all the legends,” Raina said.
Raina also revealed that IPL has transformed him as a player making him more assertive and positive in his approach.
“By playing IPL, I got over my hesitations. It created a positive vibe in me. Like you say cricketing instincts. You are in a good zone when you hit a bowler instinctively — I developed that and dominated the bowlers.”
