Suresh Raina -Former International Cricketer

"Hard work pays off. Bad days don’t last."

Suresh Raina

Personal Life

Suresh Raina is a former Indian cricketer, born on November 27, 1986, in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was a left-handed middle-order batsman and an occasional off-spin bowler. Raina was an integral part of the Indian cricket team for many years, known for his aggressive batting and agile fielding.

Raina made his international debut for India in 2005 and quickly established himself as a reliable batsman in the limited-overs formats. He played a crucial role in India's success in T20 internationals and ODIs, including being a part of the winning squad in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Apart from his international career, Suresh Raina has been a key player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). His aggressive style of play and versatility made him a fan favorite in the T20 league.

Suresh Raina's impact on the cricket field extends beyond his batting prowess. He holds the distinction of being the first Indian player to score a century in T20 International cricket. His dynamic fielding skills and ability to turn the game with quick runs have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket.

In 2020, Suresh Raina announced his retirement from international cricket. He will be remembered as one of the finest middle-order batsmen and a dynamic fielder who contributed significantly to Indian cricket.

Raina's father, Trilokchand Raina, served as a military officer in an ordinance factory. The family left 'Rainawari' in Jammu and Kashmir during the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus in the 1990s and settled in Muradnagar town, Ghaziabad district, Uttar Pradesh. Raina trained at the Guru Gobind Singh sports college, Lucknow in 1998. He has a sister, and his elder brother serves in the Indian Army.

April 3, 2015, was the wedding of Suresh Raina and Priyanka Choudhary. The couple has two children Rio Raina and Gracia Raina.

Raina received an honorary doctorate from Vels University on August 5, 2022. On July 12, 2023, he celebrated the grand opening of his Indian restaurant in Amsterdam, where he serves authentic Indian cuisine.

Cricket Career

TEST Carrer

Debut:

Last Played:

Batting
Matches Highest Score Average Strike Rate Runs
18 120 26.48 53.15 768
Bowling
Matches Economy Best Bowling in Innings Average Strike Rate
18 3.48 2/1 46.38 80.18

ODI Career

Debut:

Last played:

Batting
Matches Highest Score Average Strike Rate Total Runs
226 116 35.31 93.51 5615

Bowling
Matches Economy Best Bowling in Innings Average Strike Rate
226 5.11 3/34 50.31 59.16

T20 Carrer

Debut:

Last Played:


Batting
Matches Highest Score Average Strike Rate Total Runs
78 101 29.16 134.79 1604

Bowling
Matches Economy Bowling in Innings Average Strike Rate
78 7.6 2/6 34.0 26.85

IPL Carrer

IPL Debut:

Last IPL Played:

Batting
Matches Highest Score Average Strike Rate Runs
205 100 32.52 136.73 5528
Bowling
Matches Economy Best Bowling in Innings Average Strike Rate
205 7.39 2/0 44.72 36.32

Cricket Profile

Carrer Information

• India • Chennai Super Kings • India Blue • India U19 • Board Presidents XI • Uttar Pradesh • India A • Rest of India • Central Zone • Indians • Gujarat Lions • India Green • India C • India Legends • Deccan Gladiators • India Maharajas • B-Love Kandy • California Knights • Urbanrisers Hyderabad

Debut

Suresh Raina, a left-handed batsman, burst onto the international scene in 2005. His career took a turn for the worse in 2007, but the 2008 IPL marked a resurgence, leading to a quick return to the national team.

Key Contributions

Raina solidified his position as a proficient finisher, making crucial contributions during India's successful 2008–2011 phase. His big match attitude shone in the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal against Australia and the semifinal against Pakistan.

Batting Style

Known for his lofted inside-out drives and powerful hoicks, Raina excelled in limited-overs cricket. While facing challenges in Test cricket, he became the first Indian to score centuries in all three formats.

Chennai Super Kings Stalwart

Suresh Raina played a pivotal role as the backbone of Chennai Super Kings' success in the IPL. His explosive left-hand batting at No. 3 provided CSK with the luxury to launch attacks, complementing the firepower down the order. Often referred to as "Chinna Thala" by CSK fans, Raina is the highest run-scorer in IPL history, showcasing his immense contribution to the team.

Dynamic All-Rounder and 'Mr.IPL'

Besides his batting prowess, Raina also showcased his utility as a right-arm off-spin bowler, frequently used by Dhoni for breakthroughs. During CSK's two-year hiatus, Raina captained the Gujarat Lions. Upon CSK's return, he was among the retained players and continued to solidify his legacy as one of the greats in IPL history. Known as 'Mr.IPL,' Raina consistently delivered exceptional performances, scoring over 400 runs in almost every IPL season, barring two.

Achievements

Carrer Information

Suresh Raina, a prominent cricketer, achieved several milestones in his illustrious career. He became the first Indian player to reach both 6000 and 8000 runs in his Twenty20 career, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.

Raina's historic feats continued as he became the first Indian player to score a century in International T20 matches and the prestigious Champions League Twenty20, displaying his remarkable skills on the international stage.

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Raina etched his name in history by becoming the first cricketer to reach the milestone of 5000 runs, highlighting his consistent and impactful performances in the T20 league.

Known for his exceptional fielding, Raina holds the record for the most number of catches (109) in the IPL, emphasizing his athleticism and contribution in the field.

Raina's aggressive batting style made him the second player, after Chris Gayle, and the first Indian to hit an impressive 100 sixes in the IPL, showcasing his ability to clear the boundaries with ease.

His excellence in the Champions League T20 is evident as Raina emerged as the highest run-scorer with an impressive tally of 842 runs, underlining his consistent performances in the tournament.

Raina also holds the record for the most fifties (6) in Champions League T20 history, a testament to his ability to contribute consistently with the bat in crucial situations.

Additionally, Raina is recognized for his outstanding performance in the powerplay overs of IPL matches, holding the record for the most runs scored during this phase, showcasing his dominance from the beginning of the innings.