Suresh Raina announces retirement from international cricket
India’s middle-order batsman Suresh Raina has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. Left-hander represented India for almost 13 years and played more 300 one-day internationals for the country.
His announcement came shortly after former Captain and wicket-keeper MS Dhoni decided to retire from international cricket. Raina was an integral part of the one-day side and delivered credible performance to see India win 2011 ICC Men’s World Cup on home soil. He was also part of the side that lifted the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
BCCI Honorary Secretary, Jay Shah, paid tribute to batsman for his innumerable services for Indian cricket. Suresh Raina was one of finest white-ball cricketers to have played the game for India.
He is certainly one of match-winners for India in the batting department in white ball cricket. Suresh Raina made his limited-overs debut against Sri Lanka in 2005. He represented India in 226 one-day internationals and accumulated 5614 runs at an average of 35.31. In his white-ball cricket, Raina smashed five centuries and 36 half-centuries for India.
In the T20 format, Raina scored 1605 runs in 78 outings with one century and five half-centuries. 2008 was the most successful year for Suresh Raina in one-day internationals. Left-hander scored 650 runs at an average of 45.33. In 2012, Raina accumulated 492 runs in 17 innings at an average of 41.00. In the semifinal of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, Raina smashed unbeaten 36 runs to help India post a competitive score against Pakistan at PCA Stadium in Mohali
Suresh Raina was also known for his exceptional fielding skills and set high standards for himself on the cricketing field. In a international career spanning 13 years, Raina has claimed 167 catches for India.
In his Test debut, Raina smashed 120 runs off 228 balls against Sri Lanka. Despite having a sound technique, Raina failed to make an impression in the longer format of the game. In 18 Test matches played for India, Raina scored 768 runs at an average of 26.48 with one century and eight half-centuries to his name.
Raina final international appearance for India came in a T20I against England in 2018.
