Just an hour after former Team Indian captain MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket, left-hander Suresh Raina too confirmed that he will be hanging his boots. Just like Dhoni, Raina too announced the news on Instagram with a caption that read, “I choose to join you (Dhoni) in this journey. Thank you India.”
The 33-year old played 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20 Internationals for the Men in Blue, and last played an international game on July 17, 2018 when he took the field against England in an ODI at Leeds. The first Indian cricketer to score a hundred in all three formats of the game, Raina was also a handy off-break bowler, who picked up 62 wickets while representing the country.
He is currently gearing up to play for IPL team Chennai Super Kings in the 2020 edition that commences from September 19.
The Uttar Pradesh cricketer will be remembered for his aggressive stroke play in the death overs, that helped India to a number of memorable wins. He ends his career with seven international tons, including five in ODIs.
Overall, he amassed 768 Test runs at an average of 26.48, 5615 ODI runs at 35.31 and a strike rate of over 93, and 1605 T20I runs at a stunning strike rate of 135 at an average of just below 30.