New Delhi: Suresh Raina announced his retirement from all formats of cricket. This came as a setback for his fans as Mr IPL will not feature in the Indian Premier League from now on. This sudden announcement was rather anticipated as he in an interview talked about not playing for Uttar Pradesh and rather choosing to play other T20 leagues.
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
In the last edition of the IPL, Raina was not picked by his franchise Chennai Super Kings, which made his fans upset. He has featured in a total of 205 IPL games and was also a core part of the Indian team before his retirement on 15 August 2020.
Since the announcement, his fans are pouring in on social media with heartfelt messages and tweets. One thing is for sure, IPL will miss its biggest superstar.
End of an era. Thank you Mr IPL and best wishes for next inning of your life. #SureshRaina pic.twitter.com/owWTefJVbs
— See You (@Virtual_Vichar) September 6, 2022
Broken??#SureshRaina #MRIPL @ImRaina pic.twitter.com/2pVj6R4Vpt
— MASTER ? (@barathraina_567) September 6, 2022
Meanwhile, his fans are asking for a better farewell for their ‘Chinna Thala’.
End of an era ???
He deserves a better farewell for all the things he have done for India and CSK.
Thank you for all your contribution.
Always a @ImRaina fan ?#SureshRaina #Raina #CSK #SKRaina pic.twitter.com/apPsDinZvd
— Fun Gramam? (@fungramam) September 6, 2022
Mr IPL ?#SureshRaina pic.twitter.com/qvJ75ZUh3A
— vamsi krishna (@mr_gap_filler_) September 6, 2022
#SureshRaina to retire from #IPL and Indian domestic tournaments..
Thank you for your service to #CSK #IndianCricketTeam and other teams… pic.twitter.com/7yzxKPASoA
— Open Mic Tamil (@openmic_Tamil) September 6, 2022
Suresh Raina Will always be Remembered as Greatest Indian Player to play IPL. #SureshRaina pic.twitter.com/djHuHnjrRk
— Ritika Malhotra?? (@FanGirlRohit45) September 6, 2022
Will miss you on-field champ?#SureshRaina ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zqvTG7MoUP
— Dhiraj Tiwary (@TheDhiraj_) September 6, 2022
His partnership and companionship with MS Dhoni is something people will miss.
#SureshRaina Retires From League Cricket & Domestic Cricket!!
Our Chinna Thala – Mr.IPL & Sonu
Thanks For Memories #SureshRaina ♥️ pic.twitter.com/OR8t1ffLdR
— Saloon Kada Shanmugam (@saloon_kada) September 6, 2022
Mr. IPL ❤️
Your journey in IPL history will never be forgotten.
Once a legend, always a legend. ?#SureshRaina #MSDhoni #csk pic.twitter.com/lUdMPTC9pc— Soumi Syam (@SoumiSyam) September 6, 2022
One of his fans shared a popular scene from Al Pacino’s ‘Scent of a Woman’ to prove his greatness.
Thanks for your wonderful and unforgettable memories champ ?❣️ #IPL2023
#SureshRaina pic.twitter.com/ogPfJvg1IW— ❥??. ??? (@TxtroAJ) September 6, 2022
In an interview, he 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.”
There is great news for his fans, Raina will feature in the upcoming Road Safety World Series starting on September 10. He has been training at the RPL cricket ground in Ghaziabad for the past one year.
He has been the backbone of the Chennai Super Kings batting lineup and is the fourth-highest run scorer in the history of IPL with 5,528 runs in 205 games. He has contributed with the ball as well, taking 25 wickets in 69 innings. He was one of the most appreciated fielders on the field and has 124 dismissals, including 109 catches and 15 run-outs in IPL.
