Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. His decision to call time on his career came after the reports of him wishing to play in the overseas T20 league hogged the headlines.
Raina, who didn’t attract any bidders in the IPL 2022 mega auction, has been one of the prolific batters in the T20s. The southpaw was part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for 12 long years and has been one of the main reasons for IPL and CSK’s success.
Known as ‘Mr. IPL’, Raina is CSK’s highest run-scorer and is also the fourth-highest run-getter in IPL cricket. The left-hander had amassed 5528 runs at an average of 32.51 and a strike rate of 135 in 205 matches.
Raina, who retired from international cricket in 2019, will also not feature in domestic cricket. He has been the mainstay for Uttar Pradesh over the years, scoring more than 15,000 runs.
He took to his Twitter account and announced his decision to retire from all forms of cricket. The former CSK player extended his gratitude to BCCI, CSK, UPCA, and Rajiv Shukla for trusting in his ability and giving him chance. He said:
“It has been an absolute honour to represent my country & state UP. I would like to announce my retirement from all formats of Cricket. I would like to thank @BCCI, @UPCACricket, @ChennaiIPL, @ShuklaRajiv sir & all my fans for their support and unwavering faith in my abilities.”
It has been an absolute honour to represent my country & state UP. I would like to announce my retirement from all formats of Cricket. I would like to thank @BCCI, @UPCACricket, @ChennaiIPL, @ShuklaRajiv sir & all my fans for their support and unwavering faith in my abilities 🇮🇳
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 6, 2022
Raina, however, will play Road Safety Series, which will begin from 10th September. After that, the southpaw is expected to play in the overseas league around the world. Recently in an interview, he also expressed his desire to play the game for 2-3 years more.
Fans thank Suresh Raina for his contribution and greet him on his retirement
As the former CSK player announced his retirement, fans congratulated him on his staggering career. Some recalled his famous innings in the IPL whereas a segment of fans also wished him luck for his future.
Here are some of the reactions:
The streets of Anbuden will never forget what Chinna Thala meant to each and every one of us! Thank You, Mr. IPL! #ChinnaThalaForever #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 6, 2022
Good luck Brother for the future ahead. Wanna see those cover Cover drives still.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 6, 2022
Thank you, it was a pleasure watching you bat at 3, no one ever can replace you in CSK in that position, Mr. IPL 👑
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 6, 2022
🥺🥺🥺
— WhistlePodu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) September 6, 2022
Your 87(25) will be the best IPL knock for years to come. As a rcb fan, it was always scary to see you turn up in your prime for CSK.
Thank you for entertaining us sir @ImRaina . Wishing you all the best for your future ♥️
— Cheeku. (@primeKohli) September 6, 2022
No one thinks about this.
This is not Done .
We will never forget #Mr. IPL .
U always in the heart ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Love you always.#Mr.IPL ! #Whistle@ImRaina ! @ChennaiIPL . pic.twitter.com/Bwlnq9X3Va— Satya (@Satya4987) September 6, 2022
You will always be remembered as one of the best batsman in t20 cricket .. Thanks for all your contribution for Indian team and CSK .. We will miss you forever Mr. IPL 💔 .
Best of luck for coming days . pic.twitter.com/0Nr3Bw4oza— 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐌 𝐒 𝐃™🦁 (@SouravMsd) September 6, 2022
One of the best ever 2 have represented #India in any field and not just sports. People will give examples of your approach, self confidence & dedication when motivating others. You achieved everything there was 2 achieve, wish you all the best ahead #SureshRaina.#ThankYouRaina pic.twitter.com/qV9Km4Bqp4
— Tejas S Mishra (@tejasmishra1997) September 6, 2022
We gona miss u king 👑 #SureshRaina https://t.co/vY2LtUNyO6
— Pradeep🚩🏹 (@Pradeepreddy___) September 6, 2022
Thank you for everything @ImRaina
The greatest middle order player India ever produced
Will keep admiring you, waiting for your inside outs and slog sweeps in foreign leagues. pic.twitter.com/mfBcM3o8n8— Nilabh🇮🇳 (@Nilabh_Raina3) September 6, 2022
Thanks For Everything! @ImRaina
U announced International Retirement in 2020, Now Retirement From IPL & India Domestics !
Wanted To See Again for CSK 🥺 But Every Good Things Comes to an end, mr.IPL ,Best Batsman of IPL history
Love to see in @JSKSA20 #Raina #SureshRaina pic.twitter.com/RlL73VP2Ww
— Tanmoy Chakraborty🩺⚕️ (@Tanmoycv01) September 6, 2022
Mr.IPL,
IPL & Cricket Will miss you
It was a pleasure of ours to see you bat at no.3 in CSK with your full heart
We love you @ImRaina pic.twitter.com/4D61uKbVYP— Atharv Ramanuj 🇮🇳 (@ArthRamanuj) September 6, 2022
We will definitely miss u @ImRaina
Thanks for all those Yellovely memories u had given for our CSKians…. pic.twitter.com/PTBLBR6Ks5— Tyrion Lannister 🦅 (@shaulhameed24) September 6, 2022
You have always been star on the field, dear Suresh. Spectacular innings for the nation all these years. Thank you from a fan! And my friend, wishing you great success in this next innings! Keep inspiring young Indians always! ❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/qiNd119hfm
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 6, 2022
@ImRaina congratulations Rain bhai for the wonderful Career !!! We will miss you on field !!! Hope to see you in CSK camp and many other charity matches !! Always love and respect for you ❤️ #Rainahaimeredilme
— Samarth Patel (@samarth159) September 6, 2022
Thank you Mr. IPL. Miss you champ❤️🥺💛
Best wishes for your future ❤️💛
You will always be our chinna thala 💛❤️@ImRaina#SureshRaina #Raina #chinnathala #csk pic.twitter.com/5iZI2bNe3G— Ritu Sahu (@ritu7781) September 6, 2022
Thank you Mr IPL 🙏🙌💪🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/C5mcPxLLTp
— Virat Singh 🇮🇳 (@Virattrz) September 6, 2022
Your contribution to the team India and especially team CSK is invaluable. You are one of the best middle order batsman to play. Best wishes for all the future endeavours.. Chinna Thala, Adios!
— 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚 (@Vidyadhar_R) September 6, 2022
