Veteran batter Suresh Raina has announced his retirement from all form of cricket on Tuesday, September 6 on social media. This will bring curtains down on his Indian Premier League (IPL) and domestic career.
Incidentally, Raina had already retired from international cricket, announcing that decision on August 15, 2020 shortly after MS Dhoni had retired. Since then, he has only featured in the 2021 IPL season after skipping the 2020 edition.
Suresh Raina was released by the franchise before the IPL 2022 auction where he went unsold. Announcing his decision on Twitter, Raina wrote:
“It has been an absolute honour to represent my country & state UP. I would like to announce my retirement from all formats of Cricket. I would like to thank @BCCI, @UPCACricket, @ChennaiIPL, @ShuklaRajiv sir & all my fans for their support and unwavering faith in my abilities.”
It has been an absolute honour to represent my country & state UP. I would like to announce my retirement from all formats of Cricket. I would like to thank @BCCI, @UPCACricket, @ChennaiIPL, @ShuklaRajiv sir & all my fans for their support and unwavering faith in my abilities 🇮🇳
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 6, 2022
Suresh Raina retires having scored 6871 runs in 109 first-class games, 8078 runs in 302 list A games, and 8654 runs in 336 T20 matches. He began his senior domestic career for UP back in 2002-03, and made his international debut in 2005.
The southpaw has also been an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. He won four titles with CSK and still remains their top-scorer, amassing 4687 runs from 176 matches.
“I want to continue playing cricket for two or three years” – Suresh Raina
The decision will allow Raina to participate in overseas leagues as well as the Road Safety World Series for which he has already been confirmed. The veteran batter, who believes that he still has two to three years of cricket left in him, spoke about his future aspirations.
Suresh Raina also revealed that a few franchises have already contacted him, however, he is yet to take a final call. Speaking to Dainik Jagran on Tuesday, Raina said:
“I want to continue playing cricket for two or three years. There are some exciting youngsters who are coming through the ranks of Uttar Pradesh cricket. I have already taken my No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA). I have informed BCCI secretary Jay Shah and vice-president Rajiv Shukla about my decision.”
“I will play in the Road Safety Series. T20 franchises from South Africa, Sri Lanka and UAE have contacted me but I am yet to take any decision,” he added.
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