Suresh Raina: Player Profile of India’s Dynamic Left-Handed Middle-Order Batter

Suresh Raina was one of the most energetic players of India’s white-ball generation, a left-handed batter who could accelerate quickly in the middle overs, a gifted fielder, and a useful part-time off-spinner. He combined all three skills over a long international career.

Early life and rise

Born in Muradnagar in Uttar Pradesh in 1986, Raina made his name in age-group and domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh. He made his One Day International debut in 2005, and gradually grew into the middle order of India’s limited-overs side.

Playing style

Raina was a left-handed batter who enjoyed attacking spin, with a strong game down the ground and over the leg side. He was especially valued in the middle overs and at the end of an innings. He bowled right-arm off breaks occasionally, breaking partnerships in limited-overs matches, and his fielding, especially in the covers and the deep, was among the best of his era.

Career highlights

He played 18 Tests, 226 One Day Internationals and 78 T20 Internationals for India. He scored a century on his Test debut, against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2010, and also made a hundred in the T20 World Cup that year against South Africa. That made him the first Indian to hit a century in all three international formats. He was also a part of the India team that won the 2011 World Cup.

Indian Premier League

Raina became one of the defining figures of the IPL, particularly with Chennai Super Kings, where his consistency earned him the nickname ‘Mr IPL’. He also played for Gujarat Lions in the seasons when Chennai were suspended.

Retirement

After his last international appearance in 2018, Raina announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2020, on the same day as M. S. Dhoni. He later moved into commentary and mentoring work.

Legacy

Raina is remembered as an exciting, versatile player who delivered in big matches for both India and Chennai. His career highlights the value of fielding and all-round contributions in the limited-overs game.

Frequently asked questions

Which milestone did Suresh Raina achieve in international cricket?

He was the first Indian to score a century in Tests, ODIs and T20 Internationals.

How many matches did Raina play for India?

As of the end of 2024, his totals were 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20 Internationals.

Which IPL team is Raina most closely linked with?

Chennai Super Kings, where his consistency earned him the nickname ‘Mr IPL’.