IPL 2018: Players returning to their original franchises

#4 Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)

Raina is the leading run-scorer (4540) in IPL history

Whether playing for India or not, in form or out of form in domestic cricket, the moment Suresh Raina comes out to bat in an IPL game, one can expect him to play at the peak of his abilities.

Such is the consistency shown by him over the years, that he has earned himself the nickname of "Mr. IPL".

Raina, who featured in every single game for Chennai Super Kings till 2015, was the backbone of their batting lineup at no.3, as he mastered multiple roles of stabilizing the innings, attacking in the power-play and finishing off pressure run-chases.

In the two-year absence of CSK, Raina led the Gujarat Lions to a season each on both ends of the league table. Season tallies of 399 and 441 runs each are impressive for most players, but by Raina's standards, these numbers at Gujarat Lions are underwhelming in comparison to the truckloads of runs he amassed for CSK in eight years.

It was a straight-forward decision for CSK to retain Raina for the 2018 edition, and the year has already started well for him as he returned to the Indian team. A strong IPL season will not only go a long way in ensuring yet another successful campaign for CSK but also help him earn an extended run for the national side.