Suresh Raina, a former top batsman for the Indian team and the Chennai Super Kings, is referred to as Mr. IPL due to his significant influence on IPL history.
Fans of the more recent generation may argue that superstars like Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli are all worthy winners, but no one is more deserving than CSK’s “Chinna Thala,” who has been among the most colorful and prosperous players in Indian Premier League history. Numerous outstanding cricket players have graced the league and contributed to its current state of success. The best cricket players in the world have played in the IPL.
Certain players immediately spring to mind when we think of the Indian Premier League. Probably the most well-known name is Chris Gayle, whose daring and spectacular batting feats made headlines for entertainment purposes. Maybe the smartest and most gifted cricket player to play in an IPL season is AB De Villiers. Sadly, De Villiers and Gayle, two exceptional batsmen, explosive fielders, dependable team players, and consummate gentlemen, have never won the Indian Premier League.
Mr. IPL is a title that Lasith Malinga also claims to have. After all, he was instrumental in the Mumbai Indians’ several championship victories and held the record for most wickets taken in the tournament’s history until CSK all-rounder Dwayne Bravo surpassed him.
David Warner, the starting opener for the Delhi Capitals and a former captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, is another contender. Having finished with the most runs in a single season three times, he has secured the most Orange Cap victories in IPL history. In 2016, he also guided SRH to the title. Still, he is unable to claim the title of Mr. IPL from Suresh Raina.
For what reason is that the case? Below, let’s get into more information about:
Mr. IPL: Career stats in the Indian Premier League
| Matches | 205 |
| Runs | 5528 |
| Strike Rate | 136.76 |
| Average | 32.52 |
| 100 | 1 |
| 50 | 39 |
| 6s | 203 |
| IPL Titles as a player | 3 |
| IPL salary | Rs. 11 crores |
Suresh Raina, an almost indestructible name in Indian white-ball cricket history, has experienced and accomplished almost everything during his storied IPL career. The Indian Premier League has been the left-handed smart and elegant batsman’s biggest break since its initial season in 2008, even though he made his ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka in 2005.
With great success, Chinna Thala Suresh Raina started his IPL career. In his first season with the Tamil Nadu team, he amassed 421 runs with a strike rate of over 142, making three noteworthy half-centuries. Raina would go on to score over 400 runs every time, and that degree of dependability and consistency in the middle order would become synonymous with him.
The third-ranked batter also scored 500 runs in a season three times: in 2010, when CSK won their maiden IPL title, he scored 520 runs; in 2013, he scored 548 runs; and in 2014, he scored 523 runs.
In the Indian Premier League, Suresh Raina was also the first player to achieve the significant feat of 5000 runs. Suresh Raina made the Chennai Super Kings run smoothly in the background, even if he may not have garnered as much attention as players like Chris Gayle, AB De Villiers, Virat Kohli, and David Warner did.
For an extended period, Raina also held the record for being the highest scorer in IPL history, until Virat Kohli, who was well past his prime, surpassed him. Suresh Raina, 35, is nearing the end of his cricket career after quitting international cricket in 2020.
Despite registering for the IPL 2022 mega auction, he was not chosen. When Raina was not even considered for an offer by Chennai Super Kings, even at his starting price of Rs. 2 crores, everyone was shocked. To be honest, though, given that he had lost his form and position in the side and that his numbers had drastically dropped, this large nose wasn’t unexpected.
Between 2008 and 2019, the southpaw scored more than 350 runs in each season and was a middle-order bank for CSK. But he withdrew from the IPL 2020 for personal reasons, and he collapsed in the IPL 2021, scoring just 160 runs in 12 matches at the age of 17, striking 125 before suffering an injury that forced him to be replaced by Robin Uthappa.
Speaking about the auction dynamics, former Sri Lankan captain and Rajasthan Royals team director Kumar Sangakkara explained why the 35-year-old left-hand batter, who has scored over 5000 runs, was unable to secure a deal.
There are various perspectives on it. Players evolve with time, and newer players often create new reputations. In the IPL cricket context, Suresh Raina has an incredible reputation. Season after season, he has consistently been among the most outstanding performers, a true legend.
Upon closer inspection, it’s possible that the player isn’t appropriate for that particular season. Analysts, coaches, and owners look for that, and it doesn’t take away from a player being among the greatest or of the highest caliber, according to Kumar Sangakkara.
Raina has participated in 205 IPL games and averaged 32.52 while scoring 5528 runs. With a century and forty-nine fifty to his credit. In 13 Indian Premier League seasons, he has also taken 25 wickets.
In 2016 and 2017, Suresh Raina led the Gujarat Lions as well, following CSK’s two-year dissolution due to charges of match-fixing. He led the Lions to the top of the points table in 2016 despite having a subpar bowling unit, but they were unable to make it to the championship game. Gujarat Lions were placed second from the bottom in the IPL standings the next season.
Suresh Raina was drafted back into the Chennai Super Kings’ roster as soon as they were allowed to return to the IPL in 2018. That season, they pulled off a spectacular comeback and took home the championship.
In addition to his batting prowess, Suresh Raina is among the best fielders in Indian cricket history. Like Ravindra Jadeja today, Raina was able to make several outstanding catches and even more stunning run-outs with his gun-like left hand. It was like having another fielder on the pitch when Raina was on the pitch.
Suresh Raina is the fielder with the most catches in IPL history, having taken 109 in 204 appearances. Additionally, he trails only Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in terms of the most runouts by a fielder in the IPL (16). He is excellent on the boundary as well as a fantastic slip fielder.
In addition to his prowess at the plate and in the field, Raina is a very competent bowler. In the T20 format, he has taken 25 wickets at an economy of less than 8, which is highly advantageous.
The most significant event in IPL history for Mr. Suresh Raina
When talking about Suresh Raina’s IPL career, it would be incomplete to overlook his incredible and fast knock against Punjab Kings (now known as Kings XI Punjab). Not only is it one of the greatest IPL innings in history, but it’s also one of the top knocks in T20 cricket history.
With four wickets remaining in their 20 overs, Punjab amassed a mammoth 226 runs thanks to a brilliant century from Virender Sehwag, who finished with 122 runs.
In response, Mitchell Johnson removed Du Plessis from the game with the second delivery of the innings, causing CSK to be destroyed early. As usual, Mr. IPL Suresh Raina entered the room with one down. His first ball was a four, and in just 4.2 overs, he scored the second fastest fifty wickets in the Indian Premier League history off 17 deliveries, including a six.
The firing of Dwayne Smith caused him to step on the gas even more. The following over saw almost unbelievable shots from Suresh Raina, who hit two sixes and five fours in a seven-ball over from Parvinder Awana, who conceded 33 runs in that over.
CSK used the powerplay to score an incredible 100 runs. However, Raina was run out by George Bailey after a brilliant toss. This put an end to a triumphant knock of 87 runs off just 25 deliveries, which featured six sixes and twelve fours. Despite Raina’s incredible batting performance, CSK lost the match by 24 runs, ending their 2014 IPL campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) When did Suresh Raina come of age?
27 November 1986 saw the birth of Mr. IPL Sures Raina. His age is thirty-five.
2) Will Mr. IPL Suresh Raina participate in the 2024 IPL?
No.
3) For which two IPL teams has Raina played?
The Gujarat Lions and Chennai Super Kings.
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