When Suresh Raina captained MS Dhoni at the Chennai Super Kings in 2012
Suresh Raina announced his decision to retire from all formats of cricket earlier today, September 6. The 35-year old left-handed batter retired from international cricket on the same day as MS Dhoni in 2020. With his announcement today though, the Uttar Pradesh player will no longer turn out in the IPL either.
Raina was one of the stalwarts of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since its foundation year in 2008. When the franchise was suspended for two seasons, he led the now-defunct Gujarat Lions (GL) in 2016 and 2017.
Fondly called 'Chinna Thala' by the fans, the southpaw was a lynchpin at No. 3 while acting as Dhoni's deputy for the four-time champions. His stellar IPL career saw him turn out on 205 instances for both CSK and GL, compiling 5528 runs at an average of 32.52 and a strike-rate of 136.73.
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What a stellar career Mr. IPL has had!✨
We wish Chinna Thala all the best for his next innings!🙌🏻⚡️
@ImRaina #retirement #mripl #chinnathala #chennaisuperkings https://t.co/5WPD4n2pKp
Raina also captained CSK in 5 IPL games in Dhoni's absence. However, did you know he also led the team once with 'Thala' himself featuring in the playing XI?
Suresh Raina captained MS Dhoni in a CLT20 game between CSK and Yorkshire
The fourth edition of the now-defunct Champions League T20 in 2012 saw CSK eliminated from the race for the semifinals after losses to the Sydney Sixers and the Highveld Lions. They salvaged a win against arch-rivals Mumbai Indians (MI) but it was all but a consolation.
Mahi will take a break and will play as a keeper-batsman (and bowler if possible). Raina will lead the team tonight. #whistlepodu
Their last group game was against Yorkshire in Durban and for a change, Dhoni decided to take a break from both his captaincy and wicket-keeping duties. He handed over the reins of the side to Chinna Thala while Wriddhiman Saha donned the keeper's gloves.
The Super Kings elected to bowl first and put in a fine display with Albie Morkel and Doug Bollinger leading the way with metronomic spells. There was a pleasant surprise in store for the viewers when Dhoni rolled his arm over. It wasn't a tidy display by any stretch though as 'Thala' was thumped for 25 runs off his two overs.
Despite that, CSK had to chase just 141. The job was done without much difficulty as Subramaniam Badrinath's 47, coupled with Dhoni and Raina scoring 31 apiece, ensured that they got home with an over to spare.
What stood out in this contest, though, was how Raina held his own as captain. Not once did it seem that he wasn't the one calling the shots and he looked very certain with his bowling changes and field placements.
With 'Captain Cool' patrolling the boundary ropes, Harsha Bhogle and Daren Ganga on air were of the opinion that it allowed Raina to showcase his abilities as the captain of the ship from the inner circle. 'Chinna Thala' certainly came up trumps in that regard and looked all at ease in executing his role.
Of course, he never got the opportunity to lead CSK on a full-time basis in the years to come. He did lead GL to the playoffs of IPL 2016, though, after they finished the league phase at the top of the points table.
Mr. IPL has certainly given many memorable moments on the park over the years, be it with the bat or with his electrifying fielding. Here's wishing him the very best in his future endeavors - you did well, Chinna Thala!
Also read: Looking back at Suresh Raina's last match in all formats of cricket