Suresh Raina criticised for 'I am also a Brahmin' remark on Chennai culture

CHENNAI: Former India player Suresh Raina sparked a row after equating his upper caste identity with Chennai culture during Tamil Nadu Premier League commentary on Monday.

During the TNPL opener between Lyca Kovai Kings and Salem Spartans, Raina - who dons the Chennai Super Kings jersey in the IPL since 2008 - was asked by commentators about his long relationship with the city.

The 34-year-old replied, "I think I am also 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). We have a good administration at CSK and we have the licence to explore ourselves. I love the culture there, and I'm lucky to be part of CSK."

Users across social media platforms took little time to call Raina out. "@ImRaina you should be ashamed of yourself. It seems that you have never experienced real Chennai culture though you have been playing for many years for the Chennai team," wrote one.

CSK officials, though, tried to douse the fire and refused any comment. "We don't have anything to say at this moment," said a senior official. Before the 2020 IPL too, Raina courted controversy when he returned from Dubai citing "personal reasons". The CSK management wasn't happy but kept him in the 2021 side.