Suresh Raina was born on 27 November 1986 in Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, into a Kashmiri Pandit family. From a very young age, Raina showed keen interest in cricket, often playing with older boys in his locality. His family supported his dreams, and at the age of 14, he moved to Lucknow to attend the Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, where he honed his cricketing skills under professional guidance. His hard work and discipline soon set him apart as one of the brightest young talents in Uttar Pradesh cricket.
Domestic Career
Raina began his domestic cricket journey with Uttar Pradesh in 2002–03. He quickly made headlines for his aggressive batting style and ability to finish games under pressure. His performances in domestic competitions, particularly in the Ranji Trophy and Under-19 tournaments, caught the attention of national selectors. In 2004, he represented India in the Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, where he impressed with his stroke play and was seen as a future star. His consistent performances in domestic cricket paved the way for his international debut.
International Career
Suresh Raina made his ODI debut for India in July 2005 against Sri Lanka at the age of 19. Though his initial performances were inconsistent, he established himself as a reliable middle-order batsman over time. His ability to score quickly and play fearless cricket made him a vital member of the limited-overs squad.
He was a part of India’s squad in multiple ICC tournaments, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he played crucial knocks in the quarterfinal and semifinal, helping India lift the trophy. Raina also became the first Indian to score a century in T20 internationals, achieving the feat against South Africa in the 2010 ICC World T20.
In Test cricket, Raina made his debut in 2010 against Sri Lanka and scored a memorable century, becoming only the 12th Indian to score a century on Test debut. However, inconsistency and struggles against short-pitched bowling limited his Test career to just 18 matches.
IPL Career – Mr. IPL
Suresh Raina is fondly called “Mr. IPL” for his remarkable performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was one of the first marquee players of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and became the backbone of their batting lineup. His aggressive batting, consistency, and ability to anchor the innings made him one of the most successful players in IPL history.
Raina played a crucial role in CSK’s multiple title wins and was often the team’s highest run-getter. In fact, he was the first player to score 5,000 runs in IPL and held the record for most runs for several years. His connection with CSK and its fans earned him the nickname “Chinna Thala” (younger brother of MS Dhoni, who is called Thala). He also briefly captained Gujarat Lions during CSK’s two-year suspension.
Playing Style and Strengths
Raina was known for his fearless batting, especially against spinners. A left-handed batsman with elegant stroke play, he could accelerate the scoring rate effortlessly. He was also an excellent finisher, often rescuing India or CSK from difficult situations. Apart from batting, Raina contributed with his part-time off-spin bowling and was regarded as one of the best fielders India has ever produced. His sharp reflexes, direct throws, and athleticism on the field made him a complete package in limited-overs cricket.
Records and Achievements
- First Indian batsman to score a century in T20 internationals.
- Only Indian to score centuries in ODIs, T20Is, and Test debut.
- Member of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup-winning team.
- Scored over 5,500 runs in IPL, making him one of the league’s all-time greats.
- Played over 300 international matches for India across formats.
- Known as one of India’s finest fielders with numerous run-outs and spectacular catches.
Personal Life
Suresh Raina married Priyanka Chaudhary in April 2015, and the couple has two children, Gracia and Rio. Off the field, Raina is known for his humble and family-oriented nature. He is also involved in philanthropic activities and launched the Gracia Raina Foundation, aimed at empowering women and children with health and education support.
Retirement and Legacy
On 15 August 2020, shortly after MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket, Suresh Raina also declared his retirement from international cricket, marking the end of an era. Though he retired from international cricket, he continued to play in the IPL until 2021 before stepping away from professional cricket altogether.
Raina’s legacy lies in being one of India’s most dependable middle-order batsmen in limited-overs cricket, a match-winner for CSK, and an exceptional fielder. His contributions to Indian cricket, especially in the 2011 World Cup and IPL, will always be remembered by fans.
