Suresh Raina ‘s name shines brightly in Indian cricket history. This left-handed batting star and occasional off-break bowler captured fans’ hearts nationwide. Raina’s journey from Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh, to international cricket showcases his determination and talent.
Young Raina’s cricketing skills were clear from the start. He practiced on dusty hometown pitches, impressing everyone with his aggressive batting. His quick rise in Uttar Pradesh cricket caught national selectors’ attention.
Raina’s career highlights his versatility across all cricket formats, excelling in Test, ODI, and T20I matches for India. His adaptability made him a key player in the Indian cricket team.
Early Life and Domestic Career
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Suresh Kumar Raina |
| Born | November 27, 1986 |
| Birth Place | Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Batting Style | Left-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-break |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Career Information |
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| Teams |
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Raina’s love for cricket shone through from his early years in Muradnagar. He quickly climbed the ranks of Uttar Pradesh cricket. At just 16, Raina led the state’s U-16 and U-19 teams before his Ranji Trophy debut in 2003.
Rising Through the Ranks in Uttar Pradesh Cricket
At 15, Raina joined the India U-19 team’s tour to England in 2002, scoring two half-centuries in U-19 Test matches. Later that year, he represented India U-17 in Sri Lanka.
In 2003, Raina made his Ranji Trophy debut for Uttar Pradesh against Assam. He became a key player, scoring 645 runs in the 2004-05 season. His average of 53.75 earned him a Border-Gavaskar scholarship to train in Australia.
| Team | Matches | Runs | Batting Average | Wickets | Bowling Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh (Domestic) | 78 | 5,528 | 41.27 | 48 | 38.16 |
| India U-19 | 9 | 647 | 80.87 | 10 | 24.90 |
Suresh Raina: The International Cricketer
Suresh Raina’s cricket journey began in 2005 with his ODI debut against Sri Lanka at 19. He made his Test debut in 2010, scoring a century in his first match. Raina represented India in all three game formats.
Raina played key roles in India’s 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy victories. He won 52 Man of the Match titles and 47 Man of the Series awards in ODI and Test cricket.
Suresh Raina’s Growth in Cricket
- Raina scored 645 runs in his first-class limited-overs debut season with an average of 53.75 in 2005.
- He made his T20I debut in 2006 and has played 302 T20 matches across domestic, international, and IPL.
- Raina’s Test debut in 2010 saw him scoring a century and forming a double century stand with Sachin Tendulkar.
- In 2011, Raina was pivotal in India’s ICC Cricket World Cup victory, and he scored 421, 434, and 520 runs in IPL tournaments from 2008 to 2011.
- Raina became the only player in IPL history to cross the 2000 run mark in 2012 and crossed 4000 international runs in his 159th ODI for India in 2012-13.
- He scored 548 runs in the IPL season of 2013 with an average of 42.15 and a strike rate of 150.13.
- Raina is the first Indian player to score a century in all three formats of the game.
Raina’s Stellar IPL Career
Suresh Raina’s IPL journey has been exceptional. He was among the first players signed by Chennai Super Kings in 2008, becoming crucial to CSK’s success and helping them win multiple IPL titles.
Suresh Raina’s Excellence in the IPL
Raina’s IPL career is filled with remarkable achievements, being the first player to score over 400 runs every season from 2008 to 2014. This streak showcased his incredible consistency.
Consistent Performances for Chennai Super Kings
Raina’s performances greatly contributed to Chennai Super Kings’ success. As the second-highest run-scorer in IPL history, his contributions were crucial in CSK’s multiple IPL title wins.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches Played | 205 |
| Total IPL Runs Scored | 5,528 |
| IPL Centuries | 1 |
| IPL Fifties | 39 |
| Highest IPL Score | 100* |
| IPL Sixes Hit | 203 |
| IPL Catches Taken | 109 |
Captaincy and Leadership Roles
Suresh Raina’s leadership skills shone throughout his career. He captained both the Indian team and IPL sides, leading India to victories in the 2011 West Indies tour and the 2014 Bangladesh series.
Suresh Raina’s Excellent Captaincy
Raina captained the Gujarat Lions in the IPL and served as vice-captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). His tactical skills and decision-making greatly helped both teams succeed.
| Captaincy Role | Matches | Wins | Losses | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India Test Captain | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.67% |
| India ODI Captain | 12 | 8 | 4 | 66.67% |
| India T20I Captain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100% |
| Gujarat Lions IPL Captain | 30 | 16 | 14 | 53.33% |
| CSK IPL Vice-Captain | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Achievements and Records
Suresh Raina’s cricket career was filled with incredible achievements. He was the first Indian to score centuries in all three international cricket formats. His versatility as a batsman set him apart.
Raina played a key role in India’s major tournament victories. He helped India win the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. His crucial knocks in knockout stages were game-changers.
Raina also made history in T20 cricket. He became the first Indian batsman to score a century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, achieving this feat in 2010 against South Africa.
Raina’s Remarkable Feats in International Cricket
- Scored 768 runs in 31 Test innings, with a highest score of 120.
- Amassed 5,615 runs in 226 ODI matches, with 5 centuries and 36 half-centuries.
- Recorded 1,605 runs in 78 T20I matches, with a strike rate of 134.87.
- Took a total of 62 wickets across all international formats as an all-rounder.
Raina’s talent shone in domestic and franchise cricket too, where he scored over 6,800 runs in First-Class matches. In List A cricket, he amassed more than 8,000 runs. These impressive stats cement Raina’s status as a top Indian cricketer, making him a valuable player in his era.
Retirement and Future Endeavors
Suresh Raina, a versatile Indian cricketer, retired from international cricket in August 2020, following his teammate and friend MS Dhoni’s lead. Raina continued playing in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions until 2022.
Raina’s impact on cricket remains significant even after retirement. In 2022, he wasn’t selected in the IPL auction, but he transitioned to a new role as a cricket commentator, sharing his expertise with fans nationwide. His transition to an analyst has been well-received, and Raina’s deep understanding of the game provides valuable insights to viewers.
Raina’s new chapter involves giving back to the sport. He plans to start initiatives in Kashmir, his family’s homeland, showing his commitment to inspiring the next generation of cricketers.
FAQ’s
Who is Suresh Raina?
Suresh Raina is a former Indian cricket star known for his fierce batting and occasional bowling. Raina played for Uttar Pradesh and led the Gujarat Lions in the IPL.
What are Suresh Raina’s early life and domestic career highlights?
Suresh Raina was born in Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh. He came from a Kashmiri Pandit family and attended boarding school. Later, he moved to Lucknow for sports college. Raina climbed the ranks of Uttar Pradesh cricket and led the state’s U-16 and U-19 teams. At 16, he made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2003.
When did Suresh Raina make his international debut?
Suresh Raina debuted for India in 2005, playing his first ODI against Sri Lanka at 19. His Test debut came in 2010, also against Sri Lanka.
What were Suresh Raina’s accomplishments in the Indian Premier League (IPL)?
Suresh Raina was a key player for Chennai Super Kings, helping CSK win multiple IPL titles with his consistent scoring. Raina set several IPL records and was the first to score over 400 runs in every season from 2008 to 2014.
What were Suresh Raina’s leadership roles and achievements?
Suresh Raina captained India during the 2011 West Indies tour and 2014 Bangladesh series, leading the team to victory in both instances. He also captained the Gujarat Lions in the IPL and served as vice-captain for the Chennai Super Kings.
What were Suresh Raina’s remarkable achievements and records?
Suresh Raina was the first Indian to score a century in all three cricket formats. He helped India win the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. In 2010, Raina became the first Indian to score a T20 World Cup century against South Africa.
What is Suresh Raina’s current status and future endeavors?
Suresh Raina retired from international cricket in August 2020. He continued playing in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions until 2022. Now, Raina shares his cricket expertise as a commentator, with fans enjoying his insights during matches.
