Suresh Raina (full name – Suresh Kumar Raina, born 27 November 1986) is an Indian former international cricketer. He represented India in all three formats of the game and was a left-handed middle-order batsman and occasional right-arm off-break bowler. Raina was known for his fielding ability and aggressive batting in limited-overs formats. He played for India, Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Career Highlights
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Suresh Kumar Raina |
| Born | 27 November 1986 |
| Birthplace | Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Spouse | Priyanka Chaudhary |
| Role | Batting all-rounder |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| International Debut | Test: 2010 vs Sri Lanka |
| ODI Debut | 2005 vs Sri Lanka |
| T20I Century | 2010 vs South Africa |
| IPL Team | Chennai Super Kings |
| Captaincy | Led India in limited-overs (stand-in) |
| Notable Records | First Indian to score centuries in all three formats |
| Jersey Number | 3 |
Achievements
| Achievement | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ODI Debut | 2005 | Debuted against Sri Lanka at age 18 |
| First ODI Century | 2008 | Scored 101 vs Hong Kong |
| Test Debut Century | 2010 | 120 vs Sri Lanka |
| T20I Century | 2010 | 101 vs South Africa |
| ICC World Cup Winner | 2011 | Part of India’s winning squad |
| ICC Champions Trophy | 2013 | Key contributor in middle order |
| First Indian T20I Century | 2010 | Achieved milestone vs South Africa |
| IPL 5000 Runs | 2020 | Among top IPL run-scorers |
| IPL Titles (CSK) | 2010, 2011, 2018 | Key player for Chennai Super Kings |
| Retirement | 2020 | Announced retirement from international cricket |
Suresh Raina was one of India’s prominent limited-overs batsmen during the late 2000s and early 2010s. He played a key role in India’s middle order and contributed significantly to major ICC tournament victories, including the 2011 Cricket World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. Raina was also a consistent performer in the IPL, particularly for Chennai Super Kings, where he was among the leading run-scorers. His ability to accelerate scoring, combined with athletic fielding, made him a regular selection in white-ball formats. He remains notable as the first Indian cricketer to score centuries in all three international formats.
Early Life and Background
Suresh Raina was born in Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh, into a Kashmiri Pandit family. He completed his early education in Uttar Pradesh and later moved to a sports hostel in Lucknow to pursue cricket training.
He began playing cricket at a young age and represented Uttar Pradesh in youth tournaments. Raina gained attention through performances in the Under-19 circuit and was selected for India’s Under-19 team, which led to his entry into domestic and national-level cricket.
Domestic Career
Raina made his debut for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy during the 2002–03 season. He established himself as a reliable middle-order batsman with consistent performances.
He contributed significantly to Uttar Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy success in 2005–06, where the team won the title. Raina’s domestic performances, including crucial innings under pressure, helped him secure a place in the Indian national team.
International Career
Test Career
Raina made his Test debut in 2010 against Sri Lanka and scored a century (120 runs) in his first match. He played primarily as a middle-order batsman.
Despite a strong start, his Test career remained limited, and he struggled with consistency in overseas conditions. He played 18 Test matches, scoring 768 runs.
ODI Career
Raina debuted in One Day Internationals in 2005 against Sri Lanka. He became a regular member of India’s ODI squad, particularly in the middle order.
He played a key role in India’s 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, contributing crucial innings in knockout matches. Raina scored over 5,600 ODI runs and was known for his finishing ability and adaptability.
T20I Career
Raina was an important part of India’s T20 International team. He became the first Indian cricketer to score a century in T20Is, achieving the feat against South Africa in 2010.
He was known for his aggressive batting style and ability to score quickly. Raina also contributed as a part-time bowler and was an effective fielder in the shortest format.
Indian Premier League (IPL) Career
Suresh Raina was a key player for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. He was one of the most consistent performers in the league and remained among the highest run-scorers.
He also played for Gujarat Lions during CSK’s suspension in 2016–17, where he served as captain. Raina was known for his reliability and match-winning performances in the IPL, including multiple playoff contributions.
Playing Style
Raina was a left-handed batsman known for his aggressive stroke play, especially against spin bowling. He preferred playing on the front foot and was effective in limited-overs formats.
He was also regarded as one of India’s best fielders during his career, often positioned in the inner circle. As a part-time off-spinner, he provided additional balance to the team.
Records and Achievements
- First Indian cricketer to score centuries in all three formats
- Part of ICC Cricket World Cup-winning team (2011)
- Part of ICC Champions Trophy-winning team (2013)
- Among the leading run-scorers in IPL history
- Over 5,000 runs in ODIs
- Known for consistent IPL performances with Chennai Super Kings
Personal Life
Raina married Priyanka Chaudhary in 2015. The couple has children and resides in India.
Outside cricket, he has been involved in charitable initiatives and social work through his foundation.
Awards and Honours
- Part of ICC tournament-winning teams (2011, 2013)
- Recognized for contributions to Indian cricket in limited-overs formats
- IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings
