5 Best IPL knocks of Suresh Raina

Famously known as Mr. IPL, Suresh Raina won't feature anymore in the cash-rich league any more. On Tuesday (September 6), Raina announced his retirement from domestic cricket and also from the Indian Premier League. He took the massive decision to focus on other T20 leagues across the globe. Despite being an integral part of the team for over a decade, Raina wasn’t retained by the Chennai Super Kings franchise ahead of the 15th edition of Indian Premier League. He was thought to be picked by any team in the auction but that didn’t happen either. Dejected Raina was seen as a part of the broadcast team where he assured his fans to return back to cricket. Once known as the successor of MS Dhoni in the Chennai team, Chinna Thala has an average of 32.5 and scored 5528 runs in the IPL. He is now eyeing to play in the Road Safety World Championship and then in T20 leagues in South Africa, UAE and Sri Lanka. Thus, it calls for a perfect time to look back and see some of the best knocks of Suresh Raina in the history of the Indian Premier League. 1. 87 from 25 balls against Kings XI Punjab in 2014 If not the best, it is definitely one of the best knocks played in the history of IPL. With a strike-rate of 348, Suresh Raina ripped apart the Punjab bowlers before he was run-out. Batting first, Virender Sehwag ran havoc and scored 122 runs and helped Punjab put 226 on board after 20 overs. Given the fact that it’s the second qualifier, there was immense pressure on Chennai to start well. Unfortunately, they lost the wicket of Faf Du Plessis pretty early and Raina came to bat. His merciless innings of 87 runs from 25 balls consist of 12 fours and six sixes in total. He helped Chennai to match Punjab’s dominance but the middle order let Chennai Super Kings down as the team lost the match by 24 runs. Even though Raina’s innings came on a losing cause, it will always be his best innings in IPL. 2. 100* from 53 balls against Kings XI Punjab in 2013 Chennai saw a blistering innings from one of their own when Raina scored a century of 53 deliveries against Kings XI Punjab in the 2013 IPL. Batting first, Wriddhiman Saha and Michael Hussey gave Chennai a decent start but with Raina’s introduction, Chennai accelerated their pace. Raina hit seven fours and a six sixes in his innings and helped Chennai reach 186 in 20th overs. Punjab posted 171 in their 20 overs and lost the match by 15 runs. Being the 9th Indian to score a century, Raina was adjudged as the Man of the Match. 3. 57 off 35 against Mumbai Indians in 2010 Chennai won their maiden IPL trophy in 2010 and Suresh Raina played a big role in order to win. Even though in terms of runs, he has better innings to his name but in terms of impact, this is one of the most crucial knocks. Batting first, Chennai put 168 on board after the first innings. Credit goes to Raina, who played with some freedom and scored 57 off 35 deliveries. He gave the momentum to Chennai which MS Dhoni and Albie Morkel later capitalised. Despite Sachin Tendulkar’s best efforts, Mumbai could only score 146 after their 20 overs. Raina also picked the wicket of Harbajan Singh, who came to bat at number four. With that match-winning performance, Chennai won their first IPL trophy and Suresh Raina was chosen as the Man of the Match. 4. 73 off 38 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 Even though he helped Chennai win the 2010 IPL final, his innings in the 2012 IPL final went in vain as Kolkata Knight Riders managed to beat CSK at Chepauk. Batting first, Chennai bashed KKR bowlers and posted 190 after 20 overs. Chinna Thala scored 73 off 38 games and smashed Sunil Narine all over the park. Narine was by far the most unpredictable bowler in the tournament and thus, smashing him for a lot of runs was definitely special from fans point of view. In the second innings, Manvinder Bisla (89) and Jacques Kallis (69) took the game away from Chennai’s hand. Now, even after a heart-breaking defeat, Raina’s innings is still considered as one of the best in the tournament. 5. 98 off 55 deliveries against Rajasthan Royals in 2009 Raina was the saviour of the Chennai team when their batting collapsed against Rajasthan in 2009. Badrinath and Dhoni did play meaningful knocks but Raina’s 98 off 55 decided the fate of the match at Centurion. The southpaw hit 10 fours and five sixes in his innings and helped Chennai put a respectable total of 164 after 20 overs. He also picked the wicket of the Australian Rob Quiney, who opened the innings for Rajasthan. The Shane Warne-led franchise could only score 126 runs after 20 overs as Chennai won the match by 38 runs. Suresh Raina was of course adjudged as the Man of the Match.

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5 Best IPL knocks of Suresh Raina

Mr. IPL has 5528 runs to his name in the IPL.

4. 73 off 38 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012

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