IPL history: Top 3 knocks by Suresh Raina

To be titled as the icon player of any cricket league is a matter of pride for every cricketer, and especially if it is Indian Premier League.

Suresh Raina is one such player who has etched his name in the IPL history books. He is known as Mr. IPL for his outstanding match-winning performances in every season of the tournament.

Raina has been the part of the Chennai Super Kings since the first season of IPL. The yellow brigade bought Raina for 6,50,000 USD in the first auction of this mega-event.

Raina has always performed his best in the IPL. He has so far scored 4,985 runs in the tournament history which is by far the highest amongst all the batsmen. He is just 15 runs short from crossing the mark of 5000 runs, which he will surely achieve in the upcoming edition.

He was the first player in the history of the Indian Premier League to score 3,000 runs and he also holds the record of grabbing the most number of catches in this tournament (86). He also has the highest number of appearances for his team amongst all the other players.

So, let's take a look at the top 3 knocks played by Suresh Raina in the history of IPL:

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#3 98 (55) vs Rajasthan Royals (2009)

Suresh Raina helped CSK beat RR by 38 runs in IPL 2009

Suresh Raina has always been in top form when it comes to playing in the 20-over format. The same thing happened in the second edition of IPL which took place in the year 2009. Raina helped his franchise pull off a great win against the defending champions, Rajasthan Royals.

After winning the toss, MS Dhoni decided to bat first in hopes of putting a good score on the board. CSK managed to get to the total of 164 with the help of Raina’s knock of 98. Raina completely shattered the Rajasthan bowling attack that day.

Raina’s 98 runs came off just 55 balls and his innings helped him clinch the Man of the Match award for that match.

#2 100*(53) vs Kings XI Punjab (2013)

Suresh Raina scored his first IPL century against Kings XI Punjab in the year 2013

Raina scored his first ever IPL century against Kings XI Punjab in the sixth edition of the IPL. Mr. IPL waited for six years to register his first IPL century, but when he scored his first 100, he impressed the whole world with his stroke making.

Getting the chance to bat first, CSK sent Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey to open the innings for their side. But the first wicket fell in the fourth over which led to the arrival of Suresh Raina at the crease.

Raina made sure to take his team to a match-winning total by playing a swashbuckling innings. His magnificent 100 composed of six fours, along with six big sixes.

The men from Punjab just fell short by 15 runs in the end as the result went in favour of the Chennai side with Raina being the Man of the Match.

#1 87 (25) vs Kings XI Punjab (2014)

Suresh Raina nearly pulled off one of the best chases in the history of IPL

Suresh Raina is mainly known for his aggressive playing style as he tries his best to hammer every ball outside the stadium. The same situation happened in the second qualifier match in IPL 2014, which took place between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab where Raina nearly pulled off one of the best chases in the history of IPL.

Punjab posted the huge target of 227 runs on the board for CSK with the help of Virender Sehwag’s blistering knock of 122. As it was a do or die match for the men in yellow, Raina tried his best to pull off a win.

He played one of the best knocks in IPL history in that match, registering a score of 87 runs from just 25 balls at a mind-boggling strike rate of 348. Ultimately, his knock went in vain as CSK lost the match by 24 runs.

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