Twitter showers tribute to 'Mr. IPL' as Suresh Raina goes unsold

August 15, 2020, marked an end of an era when one of the most successful captains in the world, MS Dhoni bid adieu to international cricket. Moments later, Suresh Raina who had played a massive role in the team's success over the years donning the blue jersey followed the former skipper's footsteps and announced his retirement from international cricket as well. 

It might have come as a shocker for many but at the same, became another example of true friendships in the cricketing world. 

The fans were now looking forward to the IPL 2020 to watch the two masters take the field together. 

But that didn't really happen. Raina aka 'Chinna Thala' of CSK opted out of the tournament citing "personal reasons". 

In a conversation with The Times of India, he said, “Why would there be any regret. I spent time with my kids and was there for my family.”

“I really wanted to come back to my family. There was an incident in Punjab and they needed me (his uncle and cousins in Pathankot were murdered during a robbery). My wife needed me here, too, during the pandemic," he had added then. 

But if the speculations are to be believed, there was reportedly a rift between Raina and Dhoni and this was the reason that the left-handed batter didn't take part in the competition. 

Well, the reports were later certainly rubbished off as the two did play for CSK in the 2021 edition. Raina didn't really have a great time with the bat as he could only manage to compile 160 runs in 12 matches at an average of under 17.77. 

Cut to the release of retained players list from the franchises. 

It was a certainty that the Chennai Super Kings wouldn't really retain Raina and exactly the same happened. 

Raina was not retained. 

But what raised the eyebrows was CSK NOT bidding for the left-hander, someone who has amassed 5528 IPL runs in 205 matches. 

YES...You read that right. 

The Super Kings didn't bid for Chinna Thala. Disappointment for Raina moved a bit further when he didn't find any bidders in any of the rounds. 

'Mr IPL' Suresh Raina who had a base price of INR 2 Cr went UNSOLD. 

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath said it was "very difficult" for the franchise to let Raina go. 

"Raina has been one of the most consistent performers for CSK for the last 12 years. Of course, it was very difficult for us, no to have Raina but at the same time you should also understand that the team composition depends on the form and kind of team which any team would like to have so that’s one of the reasons why we thought he may not fit into this team," he said in a video shared by Chennai Super Kings on their YouTube channel. 

The fans & the pundits have expressed their disappointment on seeing "one of the greats of the IPL" not being a part of the cash-rich league anymore.  

Here are some of the reactions: