Suresh Raina

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Raina's IPL journey is defined by consistency and pivotal performances. In 2010, he was named BCCI's 'best fielder' ahead of the finals and delivered a match-winning half-century for CSK. His 2014 season saw him named in both the ESPNcricinfo IPL XI and CLT20 XI after his explosive 87-run knock off 25 balls against Kings XI Punjab. In 2016, he stepped up as captain for Gujarat Lions following CSK's suspension, maintaining a steady average despite missing one match to attend his first child's birth in the Netherlands. By 2019, he etched his name into history as the first player to reach 5000 IPL runs during a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Though he suffered a calf injury in 2018 and withdrew from the 2020 season due to family tragedy, his legacy remained intact until he went unsold in the 2022 auction.

In Their Own Story

On 30 May 2014, during Qualifier 2 against Kings XI Punjab, Raina unleashed a blistering attack, racing to 87 runs from just 25 balls. The crowd at the venue erupted as he surged toward what would have been the fastest century in cricket history, only for his run-out to deny him the milestone by a mere 13 runs. This innings secured his spot in the ESPNcricinfo IPL XI and CLT20 XI for that year. Years later, on 23 March 2019, in the first match of the tournament's 12th edition against RCB, he reached another historic mark: becoming the first batsman to score 5000 runs in the IPL. His journey included captaining Gujarat Lions in 2016 with 399 runs in 15 innings and surviving a calf injury in 2018 that ruled him out of two games. Even as he faced personal loss in 2020, withdrawing from the UAE season due to his uncle's death, his impact on the league remained profound until his retirement announcement in September 2022.

Reader's Guide

Suresh Raina served as a versatile middle-order batsman for Chennai Super Kings, capable of anchoring innings or accelerating the run rate. His aggressive left-handed style allowed him to dominate bowlers across all phases of play. Beyond batting, he contributed with right-arm off-spin, taking wickets when needed. Fielding was another pillar of his game; renowned for agility and sharp reflexes, he often patrolled the inner ring, saving runs and executing crucial run-outs. Jonty Rhodes once ranked him number one in his 'top fielders' list. He retired from all cricket forms on 6 September 2022 after going unsold in the 2022 auction, having reached milestones including 5000 IPL runs and 200 matches played.

Did You Know?

• Raina missed what would have been the fastest century in cricket history by just 13 runs due to a runout while scoring 87 off 25 balls on 30 May 2014.
• He became the first Indian batsman to score a century in all three formats of international cricket, including the T20 World Cup.
• In 2016, Raina left the IPL mid-season for the birth of his first child, missing his first-ever match in nine seasons.
• Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes ranked Suresh Raina as number one in his 'top fielders' list.
• Raina withdrew from the 2020 IPL season after his uncle Ashok Kumar was assaulted during a robbery and did not survive.