Suresh Raina officially communicated retirement decision to BCCI

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina on August 16 has communicated his retirement decision, confirmed the BCCI board. “Attacking left-hand batsman Suresh Raina officially communicated to BCCI on Sunday about his decision to retire from international cricket,” said the BCCI in a statement. Moments after Dhoni made it public that he was retiring from international cricket, in a surprising move Suresh Raina also joined the former captain by announcing his retiral.

Raina played for India in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is in an international career.

“Under his captaincy, India registered a 3-2 series victory in West Indies and a 2-0 win over Bangladesh in ODIs and a 2-0 T20 International series win in Zimbabwe,” the statement added.

Raina is also the first player to complete centuries in all three formats and his centuries were scored outside India.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said Raina was a key perfomer in limited overs cricket. He further added that the former all rounder helped India form solid middle-order with Dhoni and Yuvraj

“Suresh Raina has been one of the key performers in limited overs cricket for India. Coming lower down the order and playing some of the match-winning knocks requires a lot of skill and talent,” Ganguly said.

“He along with Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni formed a solid middle order for India in ODIs. I wish him and his family all the very best,” he added.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah also hailed the cricketer. “Suresh Raina has been arguably one of the finest T20 batsmen. A live wire on the field, Raina’s prowess as a left-handed batsman was exhibited throughout his cricketing career,” Shah said.

“A big match player, Raina’s cameo against Australia in the quarterfinal in the 2011 World Cup was a testimony to his glittering career that followed. I wish him all the very best in the second innings of his career,” said Shah.