Former Indian cricketer, Suresh Raina has announced his retirement from international cricket as he followed the footsteps of MS Dhoni, who also announced retirement on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence day. Raina maide his international debut way back in 2007.
On Saturday, a few minutes after his team-mate Dhoni decided to call it quits from international cricket, Raina took to Instagram, saying: “It was nothing but lovely playing with you, @mahi7781. With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you in your journey. Thank you India. Jai Hind.”
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The Chennai Super Kings’ duo, though, is expected to be playing together for the Chennai Super Kings, in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, for which both of them arrived in Chennai for a training camp ahead of the team’s departure for UAE.
In his 13 years of illustrious international career, Raina featured in India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad, and he played 18 Tests and 226 ODIs, apart from playing 78 T20Is for India. In all those formats, he scored 768, 5615, and 1605 runs respectively, he also becomes the only batsman to score hundreds in all three formats of international cricket.
Suresh Raina featured in India’s 2004 Under-19 World Cup side as he made his international debut at the age of 19, in July 2005, against Sri Lanka, though he had to wait five more years for making Test debut, where he scored a century on debut.
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A southpaw and an occasional off-spinner, Raina has often been termed as one of the best fielders of international cricket and as the stand-in captain, Raina led India to a 3-2 victory in the ODI series in West Indies. He also led an inexperienced Indian side to a 2-0 victory over Bangladesh in 2014, with all the seniors rested.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to his retirement:
Congratulations on a top career Bhavesh. Goodluck with everything ahead 😊👍 @ImRaina
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 15, 2020
Congratulations @ImRaina on a wonderful career. God bless nd best wishes ahead 👏👍 #SureshRaina pic.twitter.com/94fcctlFoT
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) August 15, 2020
The first Indian to score a hundred across all three formats, an outstanding fielder and the most enthusiast while celebrating wickets! #ThankYouRaina for the wonderful memories! 🇮🇳🙌 @ImRaina pic.twitter.com/NlQZFGdxqF
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) August 15, 2020
Thank you @msdhoni & @ImRaina for all the wonderful memories 🏏🇮🇳 🙏🏻
You will be missed 💔@BCCI
📸 Pune Mirror
#BackTheBlue 💙 pic.twitter.com/DlgbZkrgJp
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) August 15, 2020
To all the partnerships we shared over the years, and wishing luck to all your future innings on and off the field , good luck brother 🙌🏼 #Raina pic.twitter.com/98L2PUNIm4
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) August 15, 2020
15 August 2020 – a day of goodbyes in #cricket! #SureshRaina has joined #MSDhoni in his international retirement.
322 matches, 7988 runs, 48 stellar half centuries and 7x💯
Thank you, #Raina! You've been such a champion for 🇮🇳See you at the #IPL2020 @ImRaina 💜 pic.twitter.com/SufUCqPMfz
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) August 15, 2020
Thank you, MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina! 👊 pic.twitter.com/9BYfD2dAXv
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 15, 2020
Suresh Raina also retired along with Dhoni. This is the greatest friendship since Munna-Circuit
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) August 15, 2020
Suresh Raina to join Dhoni on his journey 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/kmkbf8RQJ2
— ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2020
Now @ImRaina announces his retirement. #SureshRaina announcement – "With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you in this journey": #SureshRaina announces retirement from international cricket minutes after #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/sUDItqlFOn
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) August 15, 2020
The prettiest inside-out shot will no longer be seen in the Indian blues. Farewell @ImRaina #SureshRaina retires.
— Prithviraj Sukumaran (@PrithviOfficial) August 15, 2020
Don't want to miss Suresh Raina's announcement.
Played a key role in India's 2011 WC triumph.. that partnership with Yuvraj Singh vs Australia in Ahmedabad & that cameo vs Pakistan in Mohali (especially that cameo!) after sitting out most of the WC.
Well played @ImRaina! 👏🏆
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) August 15, 2020
