Suresh Raina is one of India’s greatest and most popular cricketers in the history of Indian cricket. A left-handed batsman with an aggressive approach, Raina is a blend of courage and talent. And that is why he was famous for his dynamic fielding and match-winning skills in limited-overs cricket. His contributions to international cricket as well as the IPL have made him a household name among cricket fans of all generations.
Born in Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Suresh Raina comes from a middle-class family and developed a love for cricket from an early age. At the age of 14, he became a member of the Uttar Pradesh Sports Hostel in Lucknow, which developed his discipline and willpower. Despite limited facilities, Raina’s natural talent and enthusiasm never waned.
His junior cricket performances, especially representing India Under-19, were exceptional. His consistent run-scoring, including two centuries, soon made him one of India’s best young talents.
Raina’s Test debut was memorable as he scored a century (120 runs) on debut against Sri Lanka. He later became the 12th Indian cricketer to achieve this feat. However, his inconsistent performances against pace and swing limited his Test career.
In the shorter formats, Raina’s fearless batting style, fast running and excellent fielding made him a key player for Team India from 2008–15.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 18 | 31 | 2 | 768 | 120 | 26.48 | 1445 | 53.14 | 1 | 7 | 100 | 4 | 23 | 0 |
| ODIs | 226 | 194 | 35 | 5615 | 116* | 35.31 | 6005 | 93.50 | 5 | 36 | 476 | 120 | 102 | 0 |
| T20Is | 78 | 66 | 11 | 1605 | 101 | 29.18 | 1190 | 134.87 | 1 | 5 | 145 | 58 | 42 | 0 |
| FC | 109 | 174 | 11 | 6871 | 204* | 42.15 | 10931 | 62.85 | 14 | 45 | – | – | 118 | 0 |
| List A | 302 | 269 | 41 | 8078 | 129 | 35.42 | 8556 | 94.41 | 7 | 55 | – | – | 138 | 0 |
| T20s | 336 | 319 | 50 | 8654 | 126* | 32.17 | 6296 | 137.45 | 4 | 53 | 779 | 325 | 172 | 0 |
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 18 | 22 | 1041 | 603 | 13 | 2/1 | 2/1 | 46.38 | 3.47 | 80.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 226 | 101 | 2126 | 1811 | 36 | 3/34 | 3/34 | 50.30 | 5.11 | 59.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 78 | 27 | 349 | 442 | 13 | 2/6 | 2/6 | 34.00 | 7.59 | 26.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 109 | – | 3457 | 1721 | 41 | 3/31 | – | 41.97 | 2.98 | 84.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 302 | – | 3395 | 2838 | 64 | 4/23 | 4/23 | 44.34 | 5.01 | 53.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 336 | 120 | 1563 | 1872 | 54 | 4/26 | 4/26 | 34.66 | 7.18 | 28.9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Suresh Raina is considered one of the all-time greats of IPL. He played for CSK from 2008 to 2021 and temporarily led Gujarat Lions during CSK’s suspension period (2016-2017).
IPL Team: Chennai Super Kings
Raina’s consistency, especially in the middle order, played a key role in CSK winning several titles. His partnership with MS Dhoni became iconic, earning him the nickname ‘Chinna Thala‘ (junior leader) after Dhoni’s ‘Thala’.
As of 2025, Suresh Raina’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹200 crore (approximately $25 million). His sources of income are cricket endorsements, brand deals, and his own businesses. He is also the owner of a sports and lifestyle brand called “Gracia Raina Foundation”, which he owns in partnership with his wife.
Priyanka Raina is a social activist and co-founder of the Gracia Raina Foundation, which helps women and children in need. Together, they are one of the most respected couples in cricket, dedicated to family life and philanthropy.
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On 15 August 2020, Raina announced his retirement from international cricket following the retirement of MS Dhoni. The move was a symbol of their deep bond both on and off the field. Raina continues to play in overseas T20 leagues such as the Road Safety World Series and Legends League Cricket. He has also done commentary, sharing his insights into cricket with fans around the world. His rise from a small town boy to one of India’s best cricketers is a source of inspiration for young players across the country.
Suresh Raina’s story is one of passion, courage and commitment. From an aspiring player from a small town to one of India’s most trusted cricketers, his journey remains inspiring. From his centuries to his sportsmanship, Raina has left a great mark on Indian cricket. And now he is something that will be remembered for generations to come.
Raina made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on July 30, 2005. He made his Test debut in 2010 and T20 International debut in 2006.
His record Test score is 120, and his record ODI score is 116 runs*. In T20Is, he scored 101 runs, making him one of the first Indians to score a T20I century.
Raina mostly represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and also led Gujarat Lions when CSK was suspended.
Yes, Raina last played international cricket on August 15, 2020, and in 2022 he played all cricket (including IPL).
He has 7 international centuries to his name, including 1 in Tests, 5 in ODIs and 1 in T20s.