N Srinivasan, the Chennai Super Kings owner, moved to limit the damage in their troubled build up to the IPL in the UAE as he attempted to clarify criticism of Suresh Raina.
Raina, who is the leading runscorer in CSK’s history, left the team hotel in Dubai on Saturday morning and flew home to India. He will miss the entire 2020 IPL season.
He was reportedly concerned by issues related to the bio-secure bubble in which the teams are placed in order to guard against the spread of coronavirus. He had also suffered a family bereavement.
A number of CSK personnel have tested positive for Covid-19, including two players – Deepak Chahar, the India fast bowler, and young batting prospect Ruturaj Gaekwad.
In announcing Raina’s departure at the weekend, CSK’s chief executive KS Viswanathan cited “personal reasons”.
He also said the franchise “offers complete support to Suresh and his family during this time”.
Support appeared to be in short supply when Srinivasan, who heads the company which owns CSK, was reported as saying Raina would not be missed.
In an interview with Outlook magazine, published late on Sunday, Srinivasan was quoted likening cricketers to "prima donnas".
He also said Raina would miss the income he had been set to make for playing in the IPL.
Raina’s salary of about $1.4 million (Dh5.14m) for the season would have been the eighth highest of any player in the competition.
Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers Bangalore and India captain, is the league’s highest earner.
“Cricketers are like prima donnas, like the temperamental actors of the olden days,” Srinivasan, the former ICC president, was quoted as saying.
“Chennai Super Kings have always been like a family and all senior players have learnt to co-exist.
“My thinking is that if you are reluctant or not happy, go back. I don’t force anyone to do anything. Sometimes success gets into your head.
“I spoke to [CSK captain MS Dhoni] and he has assured me that even if the numbers go up, there was nothing to worry.
“He spoke to the players through a zoom call and asked them to remain safe. You really don't know who is a passive carrier.
“The season has not begun yet and Raina will certainly realise what he is missing and certainly all the money he is going to lose.”
The interview prompted speculation that Raina, 33, would be ditched from CSK permanently.
Until now, the left-hander has played all but one of CSK’s matches in their IPL history.
However, Srinivasan later attempted to pour cold water on the issue, claiming his comments had been taken out of context.
"Suresh Raina's contribution to the Chennai Super Kings franchise is second to none, and it is unfortunate that people are trying to put two and two together to drive a wedge," Srinivasan told The Times of India.
“His contribution to CSK has been phenomenal over the years.
“It is important to understand what Suresh is going through and give him space.
“The franchise will always stand by him and he has our complete support during these times of distress.”
The former BCCI president even claimed that his prima donna comment had not been meant as a criticism, either.
“These boys, they’re family,” Srinivasan said.
“They’ve been family for over a decade now. When I said ‘cricketers are like prima donnas’, it wasn’t in a negative sense.
“A prima donna is the lead singer in an opera. Similarly, cricketers are always at the forefront of an exercise like this.”
The league is due to start on September 19, with the final set for Tuesday, November 10.
However, the schedule for the tournament is yet to be finalised. It is understood the organisers are contemplating staging the first phase of matches in Dubai, where six of the eight franchises are based.
Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians are the two teams based in Abu Dhabi.
