Suresh Raina Birthday: 5 Memorable Knocks By ‘Chinna Thala’ For India

Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has made an immense contribution to modern-age cricket.

The Southpaw is known for his signature flicks over mid-wicket and lofted inside-out drives, which he executed with elegance when he was in top form.

During his 15-year-long career, Raina appeared in 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is in the Indian outfit and recorded 5615 and 1604 runs respectively.

Suresh Raina was the first Indian batsman to score a century in all three formats.

He scripted many famous victories for Team India and played the perfect role as a finisher especially in ODI and T20 cricket.

Today, Raina is celebrating his 36th birthday. On this special occasion, let’s have a look at his top knocks at the international stage:

1. 101 against South Africa at Gros Islet, May 2010

In a pool game against South Africa in the 2010 ICC World T 20 in West Indies, Suresh Raina became the first Indian to score a T20 international century.

He scored an attacking 101 of 60 balls which included 9 boundaries and 5 huge sixes. Raina showed no mercy to a strong South African bowling line-up comprising Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel and Jacques Kallis.

Riding on Raina’s innings, India scored 186 runs and beat South Africa by 14 runs. Raina was declared the Man of the Match for his heroic innings.

2. 34* against Australia in 2011 WC

In the 2011 World Cup, Australia faced hosts India in a vital quarterfinal game. India were set a steep target of 261 to beat the mighty Aussies and enter the semi-finals. India were struggling at 187 for the loss of 5 wickets when Suresh Raina joined Yuvraj Singh at the crease.

Raina looked calm from the outset and built a useful partnership with Yuvraj Singh. He played a crucial unbeaten knock of 34 runs of 28 balls and led India to a famous win.

The score of 34 was not a big one but in the context of the game the runs were vital. India went on to beat Pakistan in the semi-finals and subsequently Sri Lanka in the finals of the 2011 World Cup.

3. 36 runs off 39 balls vs Pakistan in 2011 WC

Even though this inning was neither a 50 nor a 100, it is certainly one of the top three most crucial innings Raina has ever played. During this World Cup semi-final match against Pakistan, when India were struggling a bit, he stepped in and skillfully handled the situation while taking singles and hitting fours to keep the scoreboard ticking. He made 36 runs from 39 deliveries at a strike rate of 92 including three fours, which helped India record a decent total of 260 runs and ultimately win the game by 29 runs.

4. 100 Vs England at Cardiff, August, 2014

Suresh Raina was one of the mainstays for India in the middle order in ODI cricket. In an ODI against England at Cardiff in the year 2014, Raina once again showed his class as a batsman.

He smashed a brilliant century here of just 75 balls which included 12 boundaries and 3 sixes.

Suresh Raina set the pace from the very first ball and on to guide his team to a match-winning score. India went on to beat England by 133 runs(D/L method). He was named the Man of the Match.

Suresh Raina’s brilliant century set the tone for India for an ODI series win away from home.

5. Century on Test debut- 120 Vs Sri Lanka at Colombo, July, 2010

Suresh Raina played the perfect role of a finisher for India in ODI cricket on several occasions. However, he was unlucky to represent India only in 19 Test matches.

However, he made an excellent debut in Test cricket in the year 2010. The debutant Raina scored a brilliant 120 which included 12 boundaries and 2 sixes. He added 256 runs with Sachin Tendulkar who went on to score a double century.

The match ended in a draw but Raina created history by becoming only the 12th Indian cricketer to score a century on debut. Raina’s debut century remains the only Test century scored by him.