Controversies won't have an impact on CSK - Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina, expressing his delight with the new additions to the Chennai Super Kings squad, re-affirmed that the spot-fixing and betting controversies surrounding the team will not have an impact on their fortunes in IPL 7, scheduled to begin on April 16 in the United Arab Emirates.

On the new-look Chennai Super Kings squad, Raina said: “There are quite a few new members, but we have a very balanced outfit. The addition of Brendon McCullum has been a big plus, along with the likes of Faf Du Plessis, Dwayne Smith, myself and of course, the leadership of Dhoni. We also have a very economical leg spinner in Sammuel Badree who will lend tremendous variety to our spin attack.”

When asked if the IPL spot-fixing and betting controversies will affect the team morale, he said: “We are professionals and will not allow any pressure to affect our performance. The first five games can be extremely important in the IPL to build up a winning momentum and that’s what we will focus on.”

After being dropped from the team following a series of poor performances and looking woeful against the rising deliveries, he made a spectacular comeback in the just concluded T20 World Cup. He has been quite open about the influence that Sourav Ganguly has had on the turnaround.

The southpaw added:”I have been speaking to him often in the last two months and ‘Dada’ stressed on the need to stay positive. I was quite happy with the way I batted in Bangladesh and hope to carry on in the same vein in the UAE. I am focusing on T20 now and not thinking long term at all. I would to live in the present and see how it goes.”