Three-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings registered a stupendous 10-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab in Dubai on October 4. In reply to Punjab’s 178/4, the men in yellow made 181/0 proving critics wrong.

Going by Chennai’s recent performances in chases, the match was not expected to go in its favour but CSK openers gave a rousing powerplay. Veterans Shane Watson (83 not out off 53 balls) and Faf du Plessis (83 off 53) produced the best first wicket partnership in IPL 2020 to script a magnificent victory for CSK, which had suffered a string of losses after the first win in this season.

Poor bowling added to Punjab’s woes as the Watson-Du Plessis partnership went berserk. Mohammad Shami and Sheldon Cottrell were unable to replicate their success in the opening spell and, except Ravi Bishnoi (yielding only 33 runs in his 4 overs), none of the Punjab bowlers looked like they could arrest the onslaught.

Punjab, which won the toss and elected to bat, made 178 runs helped by skipper KL Rahul’s 63 (52 balls) and Nicholas Pooran’s (33 off 17). However, Shardul Thakur’s brilliant bowling in the 18th over, when he took out Rahul and Pooran off successive deliveries, helped Chennai limit the KXIP total.

The Player of the Match title went to 39-year-old Shane Watson, who hit 11 boundaries and three sixes.

With a host of 30-plus players –, M.S. Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, Murali Vijay, Kedar Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu – the CSK team has been nicknamed the ‘Dad’s army’.

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The decision of Raina literally shocked his fans, as they were expecting him to play in the yellow jersey of Chennai Super Kings, post his retirement from international cricket. Later, it was revealed that Suresh Raina’s uncle was killed on August 19 by a group of robbers.

And now, Suresh Raina has broken his silence and has revealed that his uncle and cousin were murdered after robbers attacked his family. The brutal attack apparently happened in Pathankot, Punjab, and his cousins were also seriously injured in the untoward incident.

“What happened to my family is Punjab was beyond horrible. My uncle was slaughtered to death, my bua & both my cousins had severe injuries. Unfortunately, my cousin also passed away last night after battling for life for days. My bua is still very very critical & is on life support,” wrote Raina on his Twitter page.

What happened to my family is Punjab was beyond horrible. My uncle was slaughtered to death, my bua & both my cousins had sever injuries. Unfortunately my cousin also passed away last night after battling for life for days. My bua is still very very critical & is on life support.

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 1, 2020

In another tweet, Raina requested authorities to carry out a strict investigation to nab the culprits behind the brutal attack.

“Till date, we don’t know what exactly had happened that night & who did this. I request @PunjabPoliceIndto look into this matter. We at least deserve to know who did this heinous act to them. Those criminals should not be spared to commit more crimes,” added Raina.

The Punjab Police revealed that ‘Kale Kachhewale’ gang members are behind this attack. The investigation is still going on, and police are still in pursuit of suspects.

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Raina played for India in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is in an international career.

“Under his captaincy, India registered a 3-2 series victory in West Indies and a 2-0 win over Bangladesh in ODIs and a 2-0 T20 International series win in Zimbabwe,” the statement added.

Raina is also the first player to complete centuries in all three formats and his centuries were scored outside India.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said Raina was a key perfomer in limited overs cricket. He further added that the former all rounder helped India form solid middle-order with Dhoni and Yuvraj

“Suresh Raina has been one of the key performers in limited overs cricket for India. Coming lower down the order and playing some of the match-winning knocks requires a lot of skill and talent,” Ganguly said.

“He along with Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni formed a solid middle order for India in ODIs. I wish him and his family all the very best,” he added.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah also hailed the cricketer. “Suresh Raina has been arguably one of the finest T20 batsmen. A live wire on the field, Raina’s prowess as a left-handed batsman was exhibited throughout his cricketing career,” Shah said.

“A big match player, Raina’s cameo against Australia in the quarterfinal in the 2011 World Cup was a testimony to his glittering career that followed. I wish him all the very best in the second innings of his career,” said Shah.

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