TNPL 2021: Suresh Raina’s ‘I am Brahmin’ remark during commentary lands him in controversy
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has landed into a controversy over his ‘I am Brahmin’ remark during the Tamil Nadu Premier League commentary. Raina equated Chennai’s culture with his brahmin identity.
In Short
- Suresh Raina sparks a controversy with his 'i am brahmin' remark
- Suresh Raina has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings since 2008
- Raina comapred Chennai's culture with his upper caste identity
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has sparked a controversy after equating Chennai’s culture with his Brahmin identity during Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) commentary.
Raina, who has been an integral part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) was asked by the TNPL commentators about his connection with Chennai.
“I think I am also a Brahmin. I have been playing since 2004 in Chennai, I love the culture. I love my teammates. I have played with Anirudha Srikanth, Badri (S Badrinath), Bala Bhai (L Balaji),” Raina was quoted by TOI.
“We have a good administration at CSK and we have the license to explore ourselves. I love the culture there, and I’m lucky to be part of CSK,” added Raina.
Raina received widespread backlash on the social media for his casteist comments during the TNPL commentary.
@ImRaina you should be ashamed yourself.
It seems that you have never experienced real Chennai culture though you have been playing many years for Chennai team. https://t.co/ZICLRr0ZLh — Suresh (@suresh010690) July 19, 2021
Abhinav Mukund : *Questions about Chennai culture*
Raina : Am a Brahmin too! pic.twitter.com/DL27kStnr7 — JC (@jc_writes_) July 19, 2021
Chennai culture is usually projected as Tamil Brahmin culture in some circles, Chennai Express etc.
Filter coffee, Mylapore, Curs Rice with Maggi. Maybe Raina thought that this will help him get close to fans. https://t.co/ZihzCyilaI — dhadibaby (@Eevera) July 20, 2021
What the heck @ImRaina sir.. you shouldn’t use that word .. https://t.co/v8AD1Cp0fT pic.twitter.com/TltPoMbYec — udayyyyyy (@uday0035) July 19, 2021
Raina announced his retirement from international cricket on 15th August 2020, moments after former India captain MS Dhoni bid goodbye to his international career.
Raina has represented India in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is. He was the first Indian to score a century across all three formats of international cricket.
Raina, who missed IPL 2020 due to personal reasons, was in decent form before the tournament was suspended due to Covid-19.
Raina has ruled out the possibility of playing for any other franchise again other than three-time champions CSK.Raina was forced to shift base to Gujarat Lions for two seasons in 2016 and 2017 during CSK's two-year suspension from the league but reunited with Dhoni in 2018 and went on to clinch their third IPL title after 2010 and 2011.