4 times Suresh Raina dazzled with the ball in hand

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) superstar Suresh Raina followed his Indian Premier League (IPL) captain MS Dhoni into international retirement yesterday. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, the southpaw stated that he has chosen to join Dhoni on this journey.

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Suresh Raina's greatest bowling performances

Suresh Raina bowling today and gave just 8 runs in his first 3 overs! #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/RPbHqklVBL

— CricFit (@CricFit) July 12, 2018

Apart from his obvious skills with the bat, Suresh Raina is electric in the field and handy with the ball. A key component of any side led by MS Dhoni, the off-spinner has been consistent in the middle overs, often keeping opposition batsmen on a leash.

Inevitably, batsmen look to take him on since they consider him a part-timer, and often lose their wickets in the process. Here are Suresh Raina's 4 best bowling performances in his career so far.

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#4 4-0-17-2 vs Kings XI Punjab (IPL 2009)

Suresh Raina disturbed Yuvraj Singh's timber

In the 54th match of the 2009 IPL in South Africa, Suresh Raina registered figures of 2/17 in his 4 overs to take CSK to a 24-run win over the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).

After the Men in Yellow managed only 116/9 in their 20 overs due to an inspired KXIP bowling performance (Suresh Raina was the second-highest scorer with 20), Luke Pomersbach steadied the ship to take his team to 45/2. However, Muralitharan dismissed the attacking southpaw as Raina claimed the catch, sparking a collapse.

Suresh Raina dismissed Yuvraj Singh moments later, before returning later on in the innings to pick up the wicket of Brett Lee. The CSK vice-captain's miserly spell played a big part in restricting KXIP to only 92 in their 20 overs.

However, Muralitharan was adjudged the Man of the Match for his spell of 4-0-8-2.

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#3 8-0-45-3 vs Bangladesh (3rd ODI, 2015)

Suresh Raina has enjoyed ample success against Bangladesh

In the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh in 2015 at Dhaka, Suresh Raina registered his second-best figures in the 50-over format when he took 3/45.

After the hosts won the toss and put India in to bat, the Men in Blue amassed a total of 317 in their 50 overs, riding on the back of fifties from MS Dhoni and Shikhar Dhawan. Suresh Raina chipped in with a handy 38 off 21 balls, which was an innings studded with 3 fours and 2 sixes.

In response, Bangladesh were decently poised at 112/2, before Raina scalped the wicket of the set Mushfiqur Rahim, who was batting on 24. The off-spinner followed it up with the crucial wicket of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, before dismissing Rubel Hossain towards the end of the innings to achieve only his second 3-wicket haul in ODIs.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 240, and Suresh Raina was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.

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#2 10-1-34-3 vs West Indies (1st ODI, 2013)

Suresh Raina recorded his career-best ODI figures against West Indies in 2013

In November 2013, Suresh Raina registered his career-best ODI figures of 3/34 in the 1st ODI against West Indies at Kochi.

After the visitors won the toss and elected to bat, Chris Gayle's early run out put the brakes on, but Johnson Charles, Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo steadied the ship, leaving India in need of breakthroughs.

Suresh Raina was the man for the moment, as he castled Samuels before returning to trap the dangerous Lendl Simmons in front of the stumps. He was brought into the attack ahead of fellow offie Ravichandran Ashwin and didn't disappoint, also scalping the wicket of Narsingh Deonarine to leave the West Indies in tatters.

Dwayne Bravo's side trundled along to a score of 211, and India chased it comfortably with 6 wickets and just under 15 overs to spare. Unfortunately, Suresh Raina bagged a 5-ball duck, and Virat Kohli was awarded the Man of the Match for his 84-ball 86.

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#1 4-0-26-4 vs Victoria Bushrangers (CLT20, 2010)

Suresh Raina picked up 4 wickets, but they went in vain

Suresh Raina's greatest bowling performance came against the Victoria Bushrangers in the Champions League T20 tournament in 2010. He registered figures of 4/26 overs, and bowled two of the final three overs of the Bushrangers innings.

Murali Vijay's 73-run knock took MS Dhoni's side to a par total of 162 (Suresh Raina scored 10 before being castled by Clint McKay), but CSK were staring at defeat when their opponents were comfortably placed at 104/2 in 11.4 overs. But the collapse began soon after, as Muralitharan scalped a couple of wickets.

Suresh Raina joined in on the action and ran through the Bushrangers middle order, picking up the wickets of Rob Quiney, John Hastings, Clint McKay and Dirk Nannes. Moreover, he bowled the 18th and 20th overs of the innings, and managed to take the game to a Super Over after having 12 to defend off the final over.

Unfortunately, Ravichandran Ashwin experienced one of his worst moments in cricket, conceding 3 sixes. Suresh Raina did clear the ropes on one occasion in CSK's response, but it wasn't enough to take the win.

However, CSK went on to win the tournament, beating the Warriors in the final.