Suresh Raina Retires: Chinna Thala’s Best Knocks In Yellow

Today India’s white-ball cricket master Suresh Raina announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Fondly called as ‘Chinna Thala’ by the people of Chennai, the left-hander thrilled fans with his exuberant stroke play.

Raina retires as the highest run scorer for the Super Kings in T20s, having amassed 5529 runs in 200 matches. The left-hander also scored two centuries and 38 half-centuries for the Super Kings in T20s.

Dearly called ‘Chinna Thala’ by our Super Fans, Suresh Raina was a vital part in Chennai Super Kings’ four IPL and two Champions League T20 triumphs. The 35-year-old on Tuesday (September 6), took to Twitter to announce his retirement from all formats of the game.

As Raina calls time on his illustrious career, let’s take a look at some of the stylish southpaw’s best knocks for the Super Kings.

In this article, let us take a look at Raina’s journey with the Chennai Super Kings.

2008 to 2012 – Suresh Consistent Raina

If there was one hallmark of Raina’s batting in the IPL, it was consistency. Raina amassed more than 400 runs in each of the first five IPL seasons and was the backbone of the star-studded Super Kings’ batting lineup. Raina’s superb 35-ball 57* in the 2010 IPL final enabled the Super Kings to defeat Mumbai Indians by 22 runs for their first-ever IPL title.

In 2011, the left-hander scored a scintillating 73* off just 50 deliveries in the first qualifier against Royal Challengers Bangalore, and helped  the side win the match with six wickets to spare.

2013 and 2014 – The Raina legend reaches a crescendo

Suresh Raina experienced his purple patch in the 2013 and 2014 seasons of the IPL. In both seasons put together, the left-handed batter scored a staggering 1071 runs. Across the two seasons, Raina scored nine half-centuries and a century in the IPL.

In the second Qualifier of the 2014 IPL season, Suresh Raina took the Punjab Kings’ bowling attack to the cleaners and scored a belligerent 25-ball 87. He scored his half-century off just 16 balls, and this remains the fastest fifty by a Super King in IPL cricket.

2018 – Raina stars as Super Kings win their third IPL title

In IPL 2018, Suresh Raina scored 445 runs at an average of 37.08 to power the Lions to their third IPL trophy. He scored four half-centuries in the 2018 season, with his standout knock being a 47-ball 75* against the Mumbai Indians. Three years on, Raina was a key player in the 2021 IPL victory as well.

87 off 25 vs Kings XI Punjab, Qualifier 2, 30 May 2014, Mumbai

This innings will go down as one of the best in the history of the tournament. Needing 227 for a place in the final, Raina, who came in at No.3, took the Super Kings to 100 inside the first 6 overs, becoming the first team to do so. Raina’s innings of 87 runs off 25 balls included 12 fours and 6 sixes, including smashing Parvinder Awana for 32 runs in the last over of powerplay.

98 off 55 vs Rajasthan Royals, 30 April 2009, Centurion

Raina was once again at his best as he scored 98 runs off 55 balls, including 10 fours and 5 sixes, helping the Super Kings to a total of 164/5 in 20 overs. Raina wasn’t just done there as he picked 1/11 with the ball and took two catches as Rajasthan were bowled out for 126. Raina’s all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

109* off 62 vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Final – CLT20, 4 October 2014, Bengaluru

Chasing 181 to lift the trophy for the second time, Raina walked in at 9/1. Raina and Brendon McCullum put on 118 runs for the second wicket to turn the tides in the Super Kings’ favour. The left-hander reached his third T20 hundred in the 18th over and remained unbeaten on 109 as the Super Kings sealed a comfortable win.

100* off 53 vs Kings XI Punjab, 2 May 2013, Chennai

Batting first, Raina walked on to the pitch with the score at 27/1. The Super King smashed boundaries all over the ground, getting his hundred off the penultimate ball of the innings. The left-hand batter’s exploits with the bat consisted of seven fours and six sixes. Raina’s efforts helped the Super Kings post 186/4 from 20 overs, and the team went on to win the game by 15 runs.

73* off 50 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Qualifier 1, 24 May 2011, Mumbai

Chasing 175 for a direct spot in the final, the Super Kings were tottering at 7-2 inside the first 10 balls. Raina then formed solid partnerships of 63 and 61 with S. Badrinath and MS Dhoni for the third and fourth wickets respectively. The left-hand batter remained not out on 73, smashing 4 fours and 6 sixes as Albie Morkel finished off the chase with a six. Raina went on to receive the Player of the Match award for his efforts.

With Raina’s retirement, a glorious chapter in IPL cricket has drawn to a close.