BCCI has praised both Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni for forging important match-winning performances in the middle-order for the Indian team. President Sourav Ganguly has mentioned Suresh Raina as a key performer in limited-overs cricket besides adding that he alongside MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh formed a solid incredible middle-order for India. The former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly praised Suresh Raina for playing some incredible match-winning knocks which required a lot of skill and talent to perform.
Former India captain MS Dhoni’s announcement to retire from international cricket on August 15 came as a surprise for the fans, but later it was revealed that the inner circle was very well aware. MS Dhoni had already talked about this decision with BCCI. But to add to the surprise, moments after his retirement, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni’s deputy at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) also joined his captain on the list of retired cricketers.
BCCI Gives Credit To Suresh Raina For Innumerable Records
Suresh Raina is remembered for critical performances like his unbeaten 34 against Australia in the 2011 World Cup where he partnered Yuvraj Singh who scored an unbeaten 57 as India won chasing 261 by 5 wickets despite being 187/5 at one stage.
In the semi-finals too, he scored 36 not out as India scored 260/9 and won by 29 runs over Pakistan. Suresh Raina did not get the opportunity in the 2007 T20 World Cup, but scored 101 off 60 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes in the 2010 T20 World Cup and is the only Indian and 2nd player to score a century in T20 World Cups.
“I Choose to join you in this journey,” Suresh Raina wrote.
Fans got emotional besides respecting the type of love and friendship the southpaw had shown for his favourite captain by retiring on the same day. BCCI has also confirmed that Suresh Raina has officially communicated his decision with the board on Sunday. BCCI did not hesitate to mention Suresh Raina as an attacking left-handed batsman, a world-class fielder, and a useful part-time bowler.
“Attacking left-hand batsman Suresh Raina officially communicated to BCCI on Sunday about his decision to retire from international cricket.”
A world-class fielder and a useful part-time bowler, Raina represented India in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs, and 78 T20Is in an international career spanning 13 years.
“A member of the victorious World Cup winning team in 2011, Raina first made his international debut at the age of 18 and also led India in ODIs and T2OIs when he turned 23. He is the youngest to lead an India men’s T20I side and was also a member of the side that played in India’s first-ever T20I. The southpaw is also the first Indian to score a century in the T20 World Cup.”
“Under his captaincy, India registered a 3-2 series victory in West Indies and a 2-0 win over Bangladesh in ODIs and a 2-0 T20I series win in Zimbabwe. Raina, who scored a century on debut in Tests, is also the first Indian to have hundreds in all three formats of the game and his centuries were scored outside India.”
“With his mentor MS Dhoni, he formed a lethal batting partnership. Often coming together in crunch situations, the two helped India cross the finish line. Together they scored 2421 runs for the fifth wicket, the most by a pair in ODIs for that wicket,” BCCI said.
BCCI in its statement mentioned that Suresh Raina is the youngest-ever T20I captain of India and is also the first from India to complete the treble of centuries in all the three formats of the game. BCCI also talked about Suresh Raina’s mentor MS Dhoni and said that the duo formed a lethal batting partnership.
BCCI Board Members Credits Suresh Raina For Brilliant Performances
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly who played alongside Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni credited Suresh Raina for playing some of the very best match-winning knocks and forging a solid middle order.
“Suresh Raina has been one of the key performers in limited overs cricket for India. Coming lower down the order and playing some of the match-winning knocks requires a lot of skill and talent. He along with Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni formed a solid middle order for India in ODIs. I wish him and his family all the very best,” Sourav Ganguly said.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah said Suresh Raina was “arguably one of the finest T20 batsmen”. Jay Shah also remembered Suresh Raina’s cameo in the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup against Australia.
“Suresh Raina has been arguably one of the finest T20 batsmen. A live wire on the field, Raina’s prowess as a left-handed batsman was exhibited throughout his cricketing career. A big match player, Raina’s cameo against Australia in the quarterfinal in the 2011 World Cup was a testimony to his glittering career that followed. I wish him all the very best in the second innings of his career,” Jay Shah wrote for Suresh Raina.
Suresh Raina had a phenomenal record for the Indian team and played pivotal roles in the 2011 World cup which was won by India. According to BCCI treasurer, Suresh Raina was a treat to watch in limited-overs.
“I would like to congratulate Suresh Raina on the phenomenal career that he had for Team India. An exceptional fielder and a match-winner, Raina was a treat to watch in white-ball cricket. Your energy and skills will be missed. I wish you all the luck in your future endeavours,” BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said while praising Suresh Raina.
Suresh Raina, who is 33-year-old, will continue playing IPL for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which will be led by veteran MS Dhoni.