Suresh Raina joins Deccan Gladiators for Abu Dhabi T10 title defence

Former Chennai Super Kings star set to be reunited with fellow Indian World Cup winners Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth

Suresh Raina will feature in the Abu Dhabi T10 in 2022. AFP

Suresh Raina has been a serial winner with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and will now feature in the Abu Dhabi T10. Pawan Singh / The National

Suresh Raina will play for Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10. Ravindranath K / The National

Suresh Raina is the third Indian World Cup winner to feature in Abu Dhabi T10 this year. PA

Suresh Raina will play alongside the biggest stars of franchise cricket in Abu Dhabi in November. Ravindranath K / The National

Suresh Raina will play with Andre Russel for Deccan Gladiators. Ravindranath K / The National

India's Suresh Raina. Reuters

A third Indian World Cup-winner will be involved at the Abu Dhabi T10 later this month after defending champions Deccan Gladiators announced the signing of Suresh Raina.

The left-hander, who was a multiple Indian Premier League title winner with Chennai Super Kings, retired from domestic cricket in September.

He is the latest high-profile addition from India for the new season of the 10-over league, which will start at Zayed Cricket Stadium on November 23.

Sreesanth is part of the Bangla Tigers set up, while Harbhajan Singh has been recruited by Delhi Bulls. All three were part of the India squad which won the 50-over World Cup in 2011.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Deccan Gladiators and hopefully together we will be able to retain the title this year,” Raina was quoted as saying.

“I have been looking forward to this new challenge in the Abu Dhabi T10 and hope to put on a show for the fans and my team. This promises to be an exciting tournament and I am very excited to be a part of it.”

Raina will join a Gladiators squad which also includes the likes of Andre Russell, David Wiese and Taskin Ahmed.

“Bringing on board a player of the calibre of Suresh Raina is a very exciting prospect for the Deccan Gladiators,” said Gaurav Grover, the franchise’s owner.

“He will definitely add a lot of ability to our batting set-up and we are banking on him to score a lot of runs.

“His inclusion makes our side stronger, and we need as much of it as possible as we look to defend our title this year.”