Suresh Raina Reveals Why He Followed MS Dhoni’s Footsteps Into Retirement Last Year

Former Indian middle-order batsman Suresh Raina has revealed the reason behind his decision to quit international cricket, following MS Dhoni’s footsteps. The August last year saw Suresh Raina announce his retirement from international cricket minutes after MS Dhoni decided to walk out. The left-handed batsman stated that he felt it was the right time.

While MS Dhoni’s retirement did come as a shock since he had a massive impact on Indian cricket, Suresh Raina was also as big a match-winner in the limited-overs arena. The 34-year old played a fairly significant role in India’s 2011 World Cup victory, featuring in more than 300 limited-overs games. Raina’s weaknesses against short-pitched deliveries was perhaps the significant reason why he could not play more.

However, Suresh Raina will continue to feature in IPL for the Chennai Super Kings. Along with MS Dhoni, the Uttar Pradesh-born cricketer has made the Super Kings one of the most successful franchises in history. He pulled out of IPL 2020 after 13 COVID-19 were found in the UAE within the camp. However, Raina acknowledged that he had no regrets to opt out since his family needed him.

We have won a lot of matches for the country and in the IPL, too: Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina revealed that he felt the right time to retire from international cricket and claimed that his friendship with MS Dhoni is very different. He acknowledged that they have won several games for India and in IPL together and hopes that moving forward, things would go as per plan.

“I felt it was the right time. Our friendship is very different. We have won a lot of matches for the country and in the IPL, too. Definitely. We will meet and plan. Things will be good and I hope everything will go as per plan,” Raina told Times of India.

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