Suresh Raina, one of India’s most celebrated limited-overs players, has been a key figure in Indian cricket for over a decade. Known for his explosive batting style, sharp fielding, and utility as a part-time bowler, Raina has been a versatile asset for India in all formats of the game. While his career includes several memorable performances, one of his most remarkable innings remains one of the finest in limited-overs cricket.
Suresh Raina: In this article, we will dive deep into Suresh Raina’s best innings across all formats, with a particular focus on the 2010 ODI against South Africa, where Raina played a match-winning knock that earned him widespread recognition as a dependable middle-order batsman.
Suresh Raina’s Best Innings: The 2010 ODI Against South Africa
Suresh Raina: One of Raina’s finest moments came in an ODI against South Africa during the 2010 ICC Champions Trophy. The match took place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on October 24, 2010. This particular match is widely regarded as Raina’s best ODI innings due to the context, the quality of opposition, and the impact he had on the outcome of the game.
Key Highlights of the Innings:
- Match Date: October 24, 2010
- Opposition: South Africa
- Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka
- Match Format: ICC Champions Trophy 2010 (One-Day International)
- India’s Batting Position: No. 5 (Middle-order)
The Setting: ICC Champions Trophy 2010
Suresh Raina: India’s opening partnership had failed to give the team a strong start. The Indian team was under pressure as the score read 111/4 after 26 overs, with Virat Kohli, Yusuf Pathan, and MS Dhoni back in the dressing room. At this point, the middle-order was heavily reliant on Raina, who had established himself as a destructive middle-order batter.
Suresh Raina: South Africa, led by Graeme Smith, was one of the best bowling sides in the world, with bowlers like Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Imran Tahir in their ranks. The match was finely poised, and India needed someone to anchor the innings while also accelerating towards a competitive total.
The Innings: A Masterclass in Middle-Order Batting
Raina, who came to the crease at a time when the game could have swung in either direction, played a near-perfect knock. He combined an aggressive approach with calculated shot selection, and the conditions were perfect for him to showcase his skills.
Match Summary:
| Player | Runs | Balls Faced | Boundaries | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suresh Raina | 101* | 60 | 8 | 5 | 168.33 |
Key Moments of the Innings:
- Stable Start: Raina started cautiously, building his innings after initially settling in. The early part of his innings was marked by a series of singles and finding gaps in the field, ensuring that India didn’t lose further momentum.
- Accelerating the Run Rate: Once Raina was set, he unleashed his attacking stroke play. He lofted the ball over the fielders and played some glorious drives down the ground. He took on the South African bowlers, hitting boundaries at will. His aggressive approach helped India recover from a tough position.
- The Century: The most remarkable part of Raina’s innings was his ability to maintain a high strike rate throughout his knock. He brought up his maiden ODI century with a boundary off Morne Morkel in the 49th over. It was a classic Raina knock that combined quick running between the wickets, elegant drives, and aggressive sixes.
- Partnership with Dhoni: Throughout his innings, Raina had solid support from MS Dhoni, who remained calm at the other end. The pair built a crucial partnership that propelled India to a competitive total. Their understanding of when to take risks and when to rotate strike was exemplary.
- Raina’s Impact: His 101* off 60 balls was the cornerstone of India’s total. He single-handedly shifted the momentum in India’s favor, taking them to 285/5 in 50 overs, a total that seemed competitive under the circumstances.
The Result: India Wins the Game
Raina’s century was instrumental in setting South Africa a challenging target. In the end, India defeated South Africa by 7 wickets in a thrilling encounter. Raina’s performance not only earned him the Man of the Match award but also highlighted his value to the team as a middle-order finisher.
Raina’s Legacy in Limited-Overs Cricket
Raina’s innings in the 2010 Champions Trophy showcased his ability to take control of the game under pressure. His aggressive stroke play, paired with a calm head in critical situations, made him one of India’s most dependable middle-order players. Let’s now take a look at some key statistics from Raina’s career in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), which highlight his consistency and impact.
Suresh Raina’s ODI Career Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 226 |
| Innings Played | 214 |
| Runs Scored | 5615 |
| Average | 35.32 |
| Strike Rate | 93.50 |
| Centuries | 5 |
| Half-Centuries | 40 |
| Highest Score | 116 |
| Fours | 510 |
| Sixes | 194 |
Raina’s consistent ability to score runs, especially in the limited-overs formats, contributed significantly to India’s successes in international cricket. He was also a key member of the Indian team that won the ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup, further cementing his place in Indian cricket history.
Other Notable Innings in Raina’s Career
While the 2010 Champions Trophy knock is undoubtedly his best innings, Suresh Raina has played several other important innings across all formats. Here are a few notable ones:
1. 2013 ICC Champions Trophy Final (India vs. England)
- Runs Scored: 48
- Balls Faced: 35
- Impact: A key knock in a high-pressure final, helping India win the Champions Trophy for the second time.
2. 2015 ICC World Cup Quarterfinal (India vs. Bangladesh)
- Runs Scored: 65
- Balls Faced: 57
- Impact: A composed innings that helped India post a challenging total in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
3. 2010 ODI Against Sri Lanka
- Runs Scored: 66
- Balls Faced: 50
- Impact: A brilliant knock in an ODI against Sri Lanka where Raina demonstrated his ability to accelerate the innings in the middle overs.
4. 2014 T20I Against South Africa
- Runs Scored: 47
- Balls Faced: 35
- Impact: A quick-fire innings in the T20I series against South Africa that helped India finish on a high.
Raina’s Contribution to Indian Cricket
Raina’s best innings is not just about the runs he scored but the context in which he scored them. He has always been a player who rose to the occasion during crucial moments in international cricket. His contributions in various formats have made him an integral part of the Indian team. Beyond his batting, his fielding and occasional bowling made him a well-rounded cricketer.
Conclusion
Suresh Raina’s 101 in the 2010 ICC Champions Trophy against South Africa* stands out as his best innings across all formats of the game. It was an innings that demonstrated his flair for aggressive batting, his temperament under pressure, and his ability to perform in high-stakes matches. While he has had many other notable performances, this particular knock remains a testament to his class and his importance to Indian cricket in the middle order.
Raina’s career, with its mix of explosive batting, consistency, and match-winning performances, has solidified his legacy in Indian cricket. His best innings will always be remembered as an example of the skill, technique, and composure required to succeed at the highest level.