Suresh Raina: An Influential Character in India Cricket In cricket crazy India, Suresh Raina was among the few cricketers who earned exceptional love and respect from fans, of course, after the greats. He was not another ordinary batsman of the Indian team. He was someone who always kept te...
Suresh Raina: An Influential Character in India Cricket In cricket crazy India, Suresh Raina was among the few cricketers who earned exceptional love and respect from fans, of course, after the greats. He was not another ordinary batsman of the Indian team. He was someone who always kept team first, a match-winner, and a fighter. Raina’s intensity in every match was impossible to miss, whether it was his fearless batting or electric fielding. Though he might not have been as high-profile as some other members in the Indian team, any true cricket fan understands how much worth he came with. His journey has been one of diligence, capability, and an undying love for the sport. The Small-Town Boy with Big Dreams. Suresh Raina was born on November 27, 1986, in the town of Muradnagar in Uttar Pradesh. Like any other boy in India his age, he dreamed of representing the national side but as we know life is not that easy. Suresh Raina faced challenges and hard adjustments under pressure; being a middle-class man, he had to struggle through difficulties and prove his mettle at every stage. At a young age of 15, he had to shift to Lucknow to join a cricket academy. He left all his family and comfort behind, and did what he had to prove his worth to the cricket selectors. Raina faces challenges with open arms so he took a bold step. People started to notice his abilities quickly and he got selected in the India U-19 team. A Dream Debut & A Lesson in Patience. In an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2005, Raina made his International Debut. The first ball I faced, I was out for a duck, that’s how destiny had it. Raina did not feel shattered like many other cricketers. His efforts and hard work improved his game to the extent that he emerged as one of India’s most dependable middle-order batsmen. What made him special was his aggressive batting style. He faced tough bowlers even while batting in difficult situations without any hesitation. He had the ability to play the anchor role when necessary, but could also use his attacking abilities when required. World Cup Glory & Unforgettable Innings. Raina's most iconic moment was the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. With India caring about every match, he came up in the quarterfinal against Australia to play a key knock that helped India knock out the defending champions. He had a good knock in the semis vs Pakistan, thus proving that he can deliver under pressure. Raina’s importance was highlighted as he got crucial knocks in the quarterfinal against Australia that helped India knock out the defending champions. He was then able to get another good knock in the semifinal against Pakistan. Clearly, he was a player who can deliver under pressure. The IPL Legend: Mr. Consistent. When it comes to IPL, the contribution of Raina can never be forgotten. This has earned him the titles ‘Mr. IPL’ and the ‘most successful IPL player’. IPL” for his incredible consistency. For over 10 years, he was CSK's run machine. In IPL 205 matches played, he scored 5528 runs, which is a great effort. He was not just a batsman but a leader who inspired others and formed the backbone of CSK’s batting order. His aggressive strokes seem effortless and were a nightmare for the bowlers. He was also an outstanding fielder. The Ultimate Team Player. What made Raina a successful player was his selflessness. Raina had a rare ability to do every job assigned to him by the team. He could easily bat at any spot in the order, bowled key overs and saved runs in the field. He was also one of the best fielders India has ever seen. Raina was the one who set the standard for elite fielding before Ravindra Jadeja made it the norm. A single glance or a single movement was enough to do it all. His sharp catches, quick run-outs and on-field presence brought unparalleled energy to the playing eleven. An Emotional Goodbye. Just a few minutes after MS Dhoni announced his retirement on August 15, 2020, Raina did without wasting time. It was an emotional moment for Indian cricket lovers. It was apt as they shared a lot of memories on the field. Even after his retirement from international cricket, Raina is associated with cricket. He loves the game whether it is mentoring young cricketers, appearing in commentary or would interact with fans. ???? Did You Know? Raina became the first Indian cricketer to score centuries in all three formats; i.e. ODIs, T20s, Tests and notably, in all three formats. Suresh Raina’s contribution to CSK has been huge as Raina has played over 200 matches for them. He is one of the most iconic players in IPL history. Suresh Raina’s impressive career has been highlighted by strong performances in ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy. In 2013, the all-rounder won the Champions Trophy and in 2011 he won the Cricket World Cup. What’s Your Favorite Suresh Raina Moment? Was it his crucial World Cup innings? His insane fielding efforts? Or his countless match-winning knocks for CSK? Share your favorite Raina moment in the comments below!
