Former India captain MS Dhoni’s announcement to retire from international cricket on August 15 came as a surprise for the fans, but the inner circle was very well aware, it was revealed later.
It was learnt that MS Dhoni had already talked about this decision with BCCI. Moments after his retirment, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni’s deputy at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) also joined his captain in the list of retired cricketers.
Now, BCCI has confirmed that Suresh Raina has officially communicated his decision with the board on Sunday. BCCI took no time to hail the “attacking left-hand batsman, world-class fielder and a useful bowler.”
BCCI in its statement said that Suresh Raina is youngest-ever T20I captain of India and is also the first from the country 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.
“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 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 president Sourav Ganguly hailed Suresh Raina as a key performer in limited overs cricket. Ganguly added that Suresh Raina, alongside MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh formed a solid middle-order for India. BCCI secretary said Suresh Raina was “arguably one of the finest T20 batsmen. Shah also remebered Raina’s cameo in the quartefinals of 2011 World Cup against Australia.
“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.
“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.
“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 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 Sures Raina.
Suresh Raina, who is 33-year-old, will continue playing IPL for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
