Before the selection for T20I series against South Africa and Indian Premier League season 11, stylish left-handed batsman returns into great form in ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament played in Kolkata. In the 2017/18 edition of Ranji Trophy, Raina had scores of 6,29, 0,5,10, 16,6, 33,0, 13,1,26 and 2.
In Super League matches Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, Suresh Raina showed his class with superb knocks. His first match was against Bengal at Eden Garden’s at Kolkata played on 22nd January 2018. The left-handed batsman looked in great touch smashing the Bengal bowlers to all parts of the ground. It was a fantastic knock by Suresh Raina who remained not out on 126 off 59 balls with 13 fours and 7 sixes with a strike rate of 213.55. His knock helped Uttar Pradesh post a massive total of 235 for 3 in 20 overs. Bengal could only score 160.
He continued his good form in the second match against Tamil Nadu played on 23rd January. It was a decent knock by Raina who made 61 off 41 balls with 7 fours and 1 six. Despite Raina scoring 61, Tamil Nadu won the match by 5 wickets.
Again today at Kolkata, Suresh Raina played captains knock against Baroda scoring 56 off 47 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes. Chasing a massive target of 193, Uttar Pradesh won the match by 7 wickets. In the 3 matches so far, Uttar Pradesh captain has scored 243 runs.
This shows that Suresh Raina is one of the best batsmen in T20 cricket. He surpassed Virat Kohli’s and Rohit Sharma record of scoring most T20 runs. Chennai Super Kings have retained Suresh Raina in the upcoming 11th edition of IPL.
Suresh Raina played its last T20I match for India against England on February 1st, 2017 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Since then he has been dropped from the T20I side. His last One-day international match for India was on 25th October 2015 against South Africa at home. With the upcoming T20I series coming up against South Africa in South Africa, the selectors would give Raina a chance to prove his class in this format.
He has been a matched winner for Chennai Super Kings franchise from 2008 onwards. If Raina can continue his great form in upcoming matches, it would be a big boost for him. He is a brilliant fielder and good part-time bowler.
