Suresh Raina Biography: Life Story, Career, Records, Family & Achievements
Introduction
Suresh Raina, fondly known as Mr. IPL, is one of India’s most dynamic left-handed batsmen and a brilliant fielder. A key member of India’s limited-overs cricket dominance, Raina was admired for his aggressive batting, consistency in the middle order, and match-winning knocks. He played a vital role in India’s 2011 World Cup victory and remains a legend in both Indian cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Personal Information
- Full Name: Suresh Kumar Raina
- Date of Birth: 27 November 1986
- Birthplace: Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Physical Appearance
- Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 73 kg
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
Early Life & Family Background
Suresh Raina was born into a Kashmiri Pandit family in Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh. His father, Trilok Chand Raina, worked at the Ordnance Factory, while his mother is Parvesh Raina. He has four siblings. His elder brother Dinesh Raina played a key role in encouraging him to pursue cricket.
Education & Cricket Start
Raina moved to Lucknow in 2000 to train at the Guru Gobind Singh Sports College. His dedication and performances in junior-level cricket earned him a place in the Indian U-19 team, where he showcased his immense talent.
Cricket Career
Domestic & IPL Career
- Represented Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket.
- One of the biggest icons of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), earning the title “Mr. IPL” for his consistency.
- First player to score 5,000 runs in IPL.
International Debut
- ODI Debut: 30 July 2005 vs Sri Lanka.
- Test Debut: 26 July 2010 vs Sri Lanka – scored a century on debut.
- T20I Debut: 1 December 2006 vs South Africa.
Major Contributions
- Key middle-order batsman in 2011 ICC World Cup, scoring crucial runs in knockout matches.
- First Indian batsman to score a century in all three formats (Test, ODI, T20I).
- Played 226 ODIs, 78 T20Is, and 18 Tests for India.
Records & Achievements
- First Indian to score a century in all three formats of cricket.
- Second youngest player to captain India (2010).
- Over 5,000 IPL runs and most appearances for CSK during his prime.
- Part of India’s 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy winning squads.
- Recipient of Arjuna Award (2018).
Retirement
Raina announced his retirement from international cricket on 15 August 2020, the same day as MS Dhoni. He later retired from all forms of cricket, including IPL, in 2022.
Personal Life
Suresh Raina married Priyanka Chaudhary in 2015. The couple has two children – daughter Gracia Raina and son Rio Raina. He is also involved in philanthropy through the Gracia Raina Foundation, focusing on child welfare and maternal health.
Legacy
Suresh Raina will always be remembered as one of India’s finest limited-overs cricketers, a fearless middle-order batsman, and one of the greatest fielders the country has ever produced. His contributions to CSK and Indian cricket make him a beloved figure among fans worldwide.
