Suresh Raina joins MS Dhoni in retirement, announces news through social media

Suresh Raina announces retirement. 

Just few minutes after MS Dhoni announced his retirement, senior Indian cricketer Suresh Raina also announced retirement from international cricket. Raina also took to social media to announce his retirement like Dhoni. He is currently in Chennai along with Dhoni to participate in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) training camp for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"It was nothing but lovely playing with you. With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you in this journey. Thank you India. Jai Hind," Raina wrote on Instagram where he posted an image of his CSK team members.

Raina hasn't played competitive cricket for a year now. He was ruled out of action after the final of IPL 2019 due to a knee injury. Raina underwent a surgery last year and was confirmed to miss the 2019/20 domestic season. He had joined CSK's training camp in March before it was cancelled. He was one of the first cricketers who resumed the outdoor training a few months back. (Also Read: World has seen achievements, I've seen the person, says Virat Kohli pays emotional tribute to MS Dhoni)

Once a regular member of the team, Raina had made his international debut against Sri Lanka in 2005. Five years later, he made his Test debut against the same side and scored a century in his first outing. A member of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, Raina was also part of the Dhoni-led side that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. He kept his place for the 2015 World Cup but became an irregular member of the side following that.

Raina was away from the ODI team from late 2016 to 2018. He kept his place in the T20I side but was dropped after the UK tour in 2018.

The left-handed batsman did make an impactful debut in Test cricket but only managed to play 18 Test matches. He scored 768 runs in 31 innings at 26.48, which included one century and seven half-centuries.

In ODIs, Raina scored 5615 runs in 226 ODIs while in 78 T20Is, he scored 1605 runs at 29.18. Dhoni's deputy at Chennai Super Kings, Raina has been one of the most successful players for the Yellow Army and earned the tag of 'Mr. IPL' as a result of his run-scoring spree in the lucrative tournament.