Chennai Super Kings batsman Suresh Raina has broken his silence over his unexpected pullout from the Indian Premier League. The former India player said that he returned to India for his family and might even fly back to Dubai to rejoin CSK for this year’s IPL.

Raina, who announced his international retirement alongside MS Dhoni on August 15, also rubbished reports claiming a rift between him and his longtime franchise. The contingent recorded 13 COVID-19 cases, including two players, and Raina’s pullout was attributed to that.

“It was a personal decision and I had to come back for my family. There was something that needed to be addressed immediately on the home front. CSK is my family too and Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) is very important to me and this was a tough decision,” Raina told ‘Cricbuzz’ in an interview.

Raina said that there was no issue between him and the team. “Nobody will just turn their back on Rs 12.5 crore and walk away without a solid reason.”

He added that he looks forward to donning the CSK jersey in the IPL for the next 4-5 years. 

On his IPL 2020 campaign, Raina hinted that he might rejoin the team. 

“I’ve been training even while quarantining here. You never know you might see me in the camp there again,” said the southpaw on being asked about his future with CSK.

When CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was asked about Raina’s long-term future with the franchise, he said the team backs all its players.

“He has said he is not available for the season. We always support the player. He said he has got some personal issues going on. So he can come back whenever he is fit and ready. That is what we want.

“We have never been against the player. There is no problem for next season as we have always backed our players,” the CEO told PTI.