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Updated on January 9th 2025, 10:27:47 am

Top 5 Best innings of Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina Best Innings for India

Suresh Raina is one of the best middle order batters that Indian cricket has seen in over 30 years. In this article, check out the top 5 best innings of Suresh Raina.

Key Takeaways

  • Suresh Raina, one of India’s finest middle-order batters, played 226 ODIs, scoring 5,615 runs at an average of 35.31.

  • Known for his all-round abilities, he also took 36 ODI wickets and delivered in crucial matches.

  • Iconic performances include his 89 vs England (2006), 101 vs South Africa (2010), and 36* vs Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup.


Suresh Raina, one of India's finest middle-order batters, was a dependable all-rounder who played a pivotal role in several iconic victories, including the 2011 World Cup. Known for his versatility, he remains a celebrated figure in Indian cricket. He announced his retirement on 15th August 2019.

Suresh Raina played 322 international matches including Tests, ODIs and T20Is and scored 7,988 runs with 7 centuries and 48 fifties. In bowling also, he made some useful contributions and took 62 wickets.


Question: What are Suresh Raina's best innings in international cricket?


Answer: Suresh Raina's best innings include his match-winning 89 against England in 2006, a sensational 101 vs South Africa in the 2010 T20 World Cup, a crucial 36* in the 2011 World Cup semifinal vs Pakistan, a blazing 100 against England in 2014, and a vital 110 vs Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup. These performances highlight his ability to deliver under pressure and contribute in critical moments.


Top 5 Best Innings of Suresh Raina for India


89 vs England (2006)


This was early on in his career and in this match India were in a spot of bother when he came out to bat. England batted first in this match and scored a modest 226 and it looked like India would get the win but at 92-5, India were in a precarious position and from here it was Dhoni and Suresh Raina who built the innings and Suresh Raina made a brilliant 89 and guided India home and the name Suresh Raina became a star and Dependable as well for the nation.


101 vs South Africa (2010)



This was the first T20I hundred scored by an Indian batter and it came in the World Cup of 2010 against probably the best bowling attack in the tournament which had the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Jacques Kallis and they were not prepared for the Suresh Raina show as he scored 101 in just 60 balls and he hit 9 fours and 5 big sixes and due to his incredible hundred India won that match by 14 Runs.


36* vs Pakistan (2011)



This innings is neither a 50 or a hundred but it is probably among the Top 3 most important innings he has played in his career. This match was the semi final of the 2011 World Cup vs Pakistan and India were in bother and out came Suresh Raina and he expertly took runs and hit fours as well and kept the scoreboard ticking. He made 36 runs from 39 balls at a strike rate of 92 and hit 3 fours and this allowed India to post a good total of 260 on the board and in the end India won the match by 29 runs.


100 vs England (2014)


It looks like Suresh Raina was made for tough situations and this time it was no different as India were coming from a 3-1 year series loss and this OD in Cardiff was a chance to right the wrong. Suresh Raina came in when the match was in the balance and with Dhoni again he led the way with a brilliant hundred in just 75 balls which consisted of 12 fours and 3 maximums and this allowed India to post a great score of 304 in the 50 overs and India won the match comfortably.


110 vs Zimbabwe (2015)


The last innings of Suresh Raina that we will talk about is a special one as it yet again came in a match that India should have won easily but Zimbabwe played a great match and posted a good score of 287 runs in the first innings and while chasing India were reduced to 92-4 and then came the ever Dependable pair of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni and they were the saviors again. Suresh Raina was the anchor In the innings as he scored 110 in 104 balls with the help of 9 fours and 4 huge sixes and India chased down the target with 8 balls remaining in the match.

Suresh Raina Stats in International Cricket:


Batting:


Format

Test Cricket

ODI

T20I

Matches

18

226

78

Innings

31

194

66

Runs

768

5,615

1605

Highest Score

120

116*

101

Average

26.48

35.31

29.18

Strike Rate

53.14

93.50

134.87

100s

1

5

1

50s

7

36

5


Bowling:


Suresh Raina has 36 ODI Wickets, 13 test wickets and 13 T20I wickets as well to his name. He was a handy and useful bowler for India.


Also Read:


Top 5 Best innings of Sourav Ganguly

Top 5 Best Zaheer Khan bowling performances

Best Innings of Mohammad Azharuddin