There’s little doubt that Suresh Raina has been one of the most outstanding batsmen in the history of the Indian Premier League [IPL]. Ever since the inception of the league, Raina has always been one of the top performers year-after-year.
Although his team – Gujarat Lions – didn’t start the season on the right note, Raina’s form with the bat was quite decent. He registered two 30+ scores in the first three matches and then got starts in the next two but failed to capitalise.
This time around, the Lions skipper played a match-winning innings – scoring 84 runs from just 46 deliveries as he guided his team to a four-wicket win over the Kolkata Knight Riders. He hit as many as nine fours and cleared the boundary four times.
Raina also made a crucial contribution with the ball – dismissing Sunil Narine who had taken the Gujarat new ball bowlers to the cleaners.
SOCIAL CHATTER
Brilliant captains knock from @ImRaina very pleased for him and an important win from the @TheGujaratLions
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) April 21, 2017
Well done @ImRaina 👏👏@robbieuthappa superb batting congratulations to @TheGujaratLions well bowled @imkuldeep18
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 21, 2017
The original superstar of the Indian Premiere League @ImRaina ,makes it look so easy.A wonderful knock& a much needed victory for us#KKRvGL
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 21, 2017
Outstanding innings by our skipper @ImRaina under pressure to get a very important win for @TheGujaratLions. Great team effort! #lions #roar
— Shadab Jakati (@jakati27) April 21, 2017
The @IPL is @ImRaina's territory and once again, he has revelled in it.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 21, 2017
All but one of the 13 shots that Raina timed well went to the boundary. He scored 57 off those 13 shots. #IPL
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) April 21, 2017
Raina vs KKR in last 3 IPL innings:
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) April 21, 2017
53*, 68*, 84
Finally they dismissed him after 205 runs!