Twitter Reactions: Suresh Raina ousted from BCCI Central Contract

In what came as a shock to many Suresh Raina fans and the man himself, the entertaining southpaw who was a vital member of the Indian limited overs setup was removed from the Grade contracts of BCCI which is being offered to the international cricketers depending upon their performances in the recent past.

While Raina hasn’t been able to produce consistent performances at the highest level, the move of removing him from all the 3 contract list seems to be a huge move by the BCCI given the impact he had as a limited overs batsman.

In the recent Contract list released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Raina fails to find a spot in any of the 3 categories. The southpaw made a return to international cricket in the recent T20 series against England in India and looked in good touch. He made a half-century and a crucial 30 odd in the 3 match series which helped India seal the series by a 2-1 margin.

Before making a comeback in the T20 series, Raina’s last international assignment was way back in the ICC World Twenty 20 in India earlier in 2016 where he fared poorly making only 41 runs in 5 games. His last ODI assignment was way back in October 2015 when he failed miserably against the mighty Proteas in the 5 match ODI series. He made a string of poor scores and had only a fifty to show for his efforts.

Captain of Gujarat Lions in the IPL, Raina has been a prolific run scorer in the cash-rich league and has been a potent weapon for the Chennai Super Kings in the history of IPL. He has been the best No.3 batsman in the tournament for the past 9 years and hopes to carry his team to a title triumph in the upcoming edition. He will also look to make a comeback in the national team which might again help him regaining his central contract.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted to Suresh Raina’s ouster from the central contracts:

Lol, Raina is not even in Grade C?
Some hard hitting statement from #BCCI.?

— Sports Banters (@SportsBanters) March 22, 2017

Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh out from #BCCI's central contracts. Raina had a Grade B Central Contract, while Harbhajan had Grade C contract

— Chinmay Jawalekar? (@CricfreakTweets) March 22, 2017

Not so long before Suresh Raina had a 'A' contract. Now none. https://t.co/eWHL5PxVTZ

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) March 22, 2017

Raina lost his @BCCI central contact,surprised to see him being excluded from All categories, He at least deserves to be in Grade B

— The Art of Leaving (@TheYorkerBall) March 22, 2017

@ImRaina deserved a place in list. He gave his best when ever he got chance to play.Dhawan deservd a place but Raina isn't. Shame on u @BCCI

— Ravi Chiku (@chiku_ravi) March 22, 2017

Mandeep, Shardul, Pant all have contracts but not #Raina? Ridiculous. Feel sorry pic.twitter.com/N8Z9F34Swc

— Karthik Balaji (@kbee90) March 22, 2017

The bad news is Suresh Raina didnt find place even in C category & not included in 32 players list divided in Grade A, B and C respectively.

— Deepak. (@SuperB_Raina) March 22, 2017

I still believe that @ImRaina is best t20 batsman in current Indian team and top T20 player in the world.
It's unfortunate decision by BCCI.

— Ravi Chiku (@chiku_ravi) March 22, 2017

https://twitter.com/tanmaynayak18_3/status/844551915186917377

Nooo @ImRaina in those lists. You don't know his importance in limited overs cricket.
Dooob maro?????????? https://t.co/pg8wI6D98M

— Ravi Chiku (@chiku_ravi) March 22, 2017

Suresh Raina loses BCCI's central contract. His nephew will be devastated, not to mention jobless.

— Mohan Sinha (@Mohansinha) March 22, 2017

No matter what others say.I still believe in u @ImRaina .Bring bck the aggressor!! Make a strng comeback in @IPL & chmpns trophy?hpe u c dis

— MK (@krrish100797) March 22, 2017

Biggest exclusion is Suresh Raina. Doesn't feature in any category. Could perhaps mean that's the end for him in the Indian colours?

— Clive (@vanillawallah) March 22, 2017