IPL 2020: CSK OWNER CLARIFIES ON SURESH RAINA'S CONTROVERSY OVER HOTEL ROOM IN DUBAI - REPORT! 

Hours after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) owner N Srinivasan made a statement on star cricketer Suresh Raina's exit from IPL 2020. He later clarified on the same stating that his words were taken 'out of context'. 

Srinivasan further said that the franchise will stand by Raina and that the former India batsman will always have their support during "these times of distress". Raina, whose contribution to the team was described as "phenomenal" by Srinivasan, recently returned to India.   

"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 Times of India (ToI). 

"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," he added.

Earlier in day, leading publication Outlook had quoted Srinivasan saying, "Cricketers are like prima donnas ... like the temperamental actors of the olden days. 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."  

"The season has not begun yet and Raina will certainly realise what he is missing and certainly all the money (a salary of 11 crores per season) he is going to lose," he was further quoted. 

Later offering a clarification on what he said: "These boys, they're family. 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."

Raina returned to India on August 29 due to "personal reasons".