Picture Credit: X/IPL
Former India batter Suresh Raina revealed the secret of Chennai Super Kings’ success in the Indian Premier League. The Chennai-based franchise has won five trophies in the tournament thus far, equalling Mumbai Indians’ record of the highest number of IPL titles. The Yellow Army, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, lifted the titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. Suresh Raina joined the franchise in 2008 along with MS Dhoni and was a part of it until he retired from the tournament in 2021.
Raina, fondly known as Chinna Thala among the CSK fan army, revealed the secret of CSK's success in the cash-rich tournament. In an interview with Lallantop, Raina revealed why CSK have won five trophies while a few teams are still trophy-less. He jokingly said, “Chennai never partied and that’s why they became successful. Franchises who partied hard are unsuccessful. There were others also who partied hard and are trophyless to date.”
Raina added, “CSK and MI have won five titles each, respectively. It is impossible to play after a late-night party. In the scorching heat of May and June, if you go to parties, how can you play day games? CSK players were more serious about cricket and winning matches. Many of us were also playing for India. If I don’t perform, why will my skipper select me? I have retired now and am free to go to parties.”
Never seen Dhoni this angry: Suresh Raina recalls when MS Dhoni lost his cool
The former cricketer recalled an incident when former CSK captain MS Dhoni lost his cool and threw his pads and helmet in anger. Raina revealed that he had never seen Dhoni this angry. Recalling a game against PBKS in 2014, where Chennai were on the receiving end of the defeat, Raina said, “I have never seen Dhoni this angry.” He added, “He was expressing his frustrations after the match saying ‘We don’t score runs, we don’t do this, that’. He had thrown his helmets and pads in the dressing room and was irritated because we lost a game that we could have won.”
He also added, “We could have won the IPL that year as well”.
