IPL 2024: He deserves a trophy – Suresh Raina backs Virat Kohli to end IPL trophy drought

Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has backed Virat Kohli to end the Indian Premier League trophy drought in the upcoming season of the tournament. Kohli, who has been associated with Royal Challengers Bangalore since the inception of the IPL, is yet to win a trophy.

Kohli has been a consistent performer in the IPL but has struggled to take his team over the line in the big matches. The talisman is the highest run-getter in the IPL with 7263 runs in 237 matches at an average of 37.25 and a strike rate of 130.02, including seven centuries and 50 fifties.

Meanwhile, RCB has finished as the runners-up on three occasions. Furthermore, in 16 seasons of the IPL, the Bengaluru-based franchise has made it to the playoffs on eight occasions.

“Virat deserves a trophy. He has done so well for the Indian team and RCB for years. He has had a lot of success at RCB and his fans deserve to hold a trophy for him,” Raina told The Times of India.

On the other hand, Raina also backed MS Dhoni to keep delivering for Chennai Super Kings. Raina, who played a key role in CSK’s success under the tutelage of Dhoni, said the Thala is looking fit as a fiddle after undergoing knee surgery.

“I have no idea about this. But he is working really hard. He is looking really fit. This is up to him. He will be in a yellow jersey and entertain the fans. Fans just love him. He will do really well I am sure. He has given a lot to cricket,” Raina said.

Dhoni and Kohli will be up against one another when the defending champions Chennai Super Kings will begin their IPL 2024 campaign against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on March 22.