Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina will make his first foray into the Abu Dhabi T10 league as he has signed with the Deccan Gladiators team for the 2022 season. Earlier this year, Raina announced his retirement from all formats of cricket, making him eligible to play for foreign franchises.
Recently, he appeared in the Road Safety World Series 2022 with Sachin Tendulkar and other former Indian cricketers as his first appearance after his exit from the Indian Premier League. Raina was part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise from 2008 to 2015 and then from 2018 to 2021.
He also played and captained the Gujarat Lions in the 2016 and 2017 IPL. However, since he returned from the 2020 IPL amid concerns over the COVID pandemic as the tournament was held in the UAE in a strict bio-bubble, the relationship became sour tense between Raina and CSK. He played a handful of matches in IPL 2021 and was not snapped up by the franchise before the mega auction of IPL 2022. Raina remained unsold in the auction and decided to withdraw from the IPL itself on September 6 this year.
The Deccan Gladiators welcome Suresh Raina, who joins stars like Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran and Jason Roy in the Abu Dhabi T10 League
The official Twitter account of the UAE-based Abu Dhabi T10 League broke the news that Suresh Raina is joining the league and will play for the Deccan Gladiators franchise. The cricketer also reacted to the tweet.
“World Cup winner @ImRaina has signed for @TeamDGladiators. Raina, one of India’s best white-ball players of all time, will be competing in the #AbuDhabiT10 for the first time and we can’t wait.” wrote the T10 League on Twitter.
World Cup winner @ImRaina signed for them @TeamDGladiators ???
Raina, one of India’s best white-ball players of all time, will be in the starting XI #AbuDhabiT10 for the first time and we can’t wait?#InAbuDhabi #CricketsFastestFormat pic.twitter.com/7FGP5TWk89
— T10 League (@T10League) November 1, 2022
Raina will now be seen in the colors of defending champions Deccan Gladiators and will share the dressing room with stars like Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Roy, Taskin Ahmed, Odean Smith and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
According to reports, Suresh Raina could also captain the team as he has extensive experience in leading India and CSK in the IPL.
The sixth season of the Abu Dhabi T10 League begins on November 23rd. The Gladiators will play their first game against Team Abu Dhabi on the opening day.