IPL 2021: "Hop, skip & jump" - Twitterati shocked with CSK batter Suresh Raina's horror show against the short ball
Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) senior batter Suresh Raina played an embarrassing innings of four from six balls in the IPL 2021 encounter against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Dubai on Sunday.
When Raina walked in, Chennai were already in massive trouble, having lost Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali for ducks. Ambati Rayudu also retired hurt without scoring any runs after being struck by a short ball.
MI pacer Trent Boult attacked Raina with the short ball and the southpaw, despite knowing what was coming, looked completely at sea.
After awkwardly top-edging one to the third man boundary for a four, Raina perished soon after, lobbing a full, swinging delivery straight up in the air. A slice of wood also came off the left-hander's bat as he gifted a simple catch to point.
Twitterati were shocked with Raina’s unconvincing knock, especially considering he is such an experienced campaigner in international as well as franchise cricket.
Here’s how fans reacted to the CSK southpaw’s innings:
Raina in the last few years: https://t.co/m144xzUz5m
#CSK 3 ovs 7-3. A piece of #Raina's bat breaks and flies, as he is out caught. Forgettable knock of 4!
#CaptainCool #Dhoni walks in. HUGE moment in the game.. #CSKvMI
Sad life 💛😖......Raina Out 💛....
Mahi Enter 💛❣️😍
#CSKvMI #WhistlePodu #Yellove 💛 https://t.co/EO2tVCV1Lo
Boult taking wicket of Raina and also breaking bat of Raina #MIvsCSK
Csk fans:- https://t.co/mGwa33AJ3u
@virendersehwag Raina penalty shootout khel raha tha
Anyone else think Raina is well past his "Best By" date?
#MIvsCSK
that Raina can't play the fast short stuff is an understatement! Hop, skip & jump! And Dhoni's decision to bat first is questionable! CSK can put the R in rusty! #CSKvMI
Welcome back Raina to big boys cricket! #CSKvsMI
Raina has completely lost his touch. Shud consider mentoring the Team #CSKvMI
Don't remember raina playing any valuable innings of late..it is time to drop him and give chance to jagadeesan or even try Robin Uthappa if you think experience is must..
#MIvsCSK #IPL2021 #Cricket
@mipaltan Raina batted like a tail ender.
Or should I say Indian tail enders these days bats better than Raina...
#CSKvMI #CSKvsMI
I was a huge Suresh Raina fan but I think that he should just retire.
@ImRaina @IPL
dhoni in 40 is looking better than raina in his 35. atleast he's not jumping around here and there!
MI fan since 2008, but want MS to do well 😬
As KP said definitely you can do better man raina this is seriously atrocious batting from a Player who had repre 320 international games
Csk fans to Raina:
Aapse better umid kiye the hum.
#CSKvMI
CSK got off to atrocious start after deciding to bat first
Earlier, CSK skipper MS Dhoni called correctly and decided to bat first in the match against arch-rivals MI. They got off to a horrible start though as Faf du Plessis (0) perished in the first over, slicing Boult to short third man.
Moeen Ali, who was highly impressive in the India leg at No. 3, also could not open his account. He toe-ended Adam Milne to cover point, where Saurabh Tiwary took a low diving catch.
Ambati Rayudu had to retire hurt after being hit on the elbow by a shorter one from Milne that did not rise as much as the batter expected.
After Raina came and went, things went from bad to worse as skipper Dhoni also could not last long. Dhoni timed a short one from Milne very well but could only end up finding the lone man at deep square as Boult was in action again.
Dhoni’s dismissal left Chennai reeling at 24 for 4 at the end of the powperplay overs.
Earlier, MI went into the clash against Chennai without their regular skipper Rohit Sharma, with Kieron Pollard standing in for him.
MI playing XI
Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Anmolpreet Singh, Saurabh Tiwary, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Adam Milne, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult
CSK playing XI
Faf du Plessis, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, MS Dhoni, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood