Former Indian cricketer, Suresh Raina, who announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, celebrates his 34th birthday today. On this occasion, we take a look at his life beyond the field along with his wife Priyanka Raina and their children Gracia and Rio. (All photos courtesy/ Suresh Raina, Priyanka Raina's official Instagram)
Updated On: 2019-05-07 11:01 AM IST
Suresh Raina is a former Indian cricketer who plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
In picture: Suresh Raina with wife Priyanka
Suresh Raina is a left-handed batsman who played in the middle-order.
In picture: Suresh Raina in a throwback with wife Priyanka.
Suresh Raina was born in UP, Ghaziabad and is one of five siblings, which include three elder brothers and one elder sister.
Suresh Raina has represented India in 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is.
Suresh Raina started playing for Chennai Super Kings in the first edition of the IPL itself when he was bought for Rs. 4 crores for the first three years.
In picture: Suresh Raina with wife Priyanka during Karwa Chauth in 2019
Suresh Raina has consistently scored more than 400 runs in almost every IPL edition and is the second-highest run-getter in IPL history with 5,368 runs. He missed the 2020 IPL season as he had to head home due to personal reasons.
In 2016, when Chennai Super Kings received a two-year ban, Suresh Raina was bought by Gujarat Lions and subsequently made the captain of the team. In IPL 2018, when Chennai Super Kings were reinstated in the team, Suresh Raina was bought by the franchise for Rs. 11 crore.
Suresh Raina has scored 5,615 runs in his ODI career at an average of 35.31 and strike rate of 93.50. His top score is 116* and he has 5 centuries and 36 fifties.
Suresh Raina has scored 1,605 runs in T20Is at an average of 29.18 and strike rate of 134.87. His top score is 101and he has 1 century and 5 fifties.
Suresh Raina's wife Priyanka Chaudhary Raina was born on June 18, 1986, in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh to Tejpal Singh and his wife Sushila. Her father is a sports coach in Ghaziabad. She has two brothers, Abhishek and Vivek, both of whom are engineers.
Priyanka Raina completed her B.Tech from Krishna Institute of Engineering and Technology. Her family later moved to Rajnagar, Ghaziabad and after completing her studies, she relocated to the Netherlands to pursue her banking job.
Priyanka Raina is an engineer by profession and has worked in companies like Wipro and Accenture.
Suresh Raina and Priyanka Chaudhary got married on April 3, 2015.
At the time of her marriage to Suresh Raina, Priyanka Chaudhary was working as a senior software tester for ING in Bijlmer neighbourhood of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
On November 19, 2017, Priyanka Chaudhary delivered a TED speech on behalf of her foundation at an independent TED event organized by 'TEDxWhitefield' in Bengaluru.
Priyanka Chaudhary Raina also had her own radio talk show titled 'The Priyanka Raina Show'.
Not many people know that apart from being an engineer and radio jockey, Priyanka Raina is also a social worker and former banker.
On May 16, 2016, Suresh Raina and wife Priyanka welcomed their first child and named her Gracia.
In March 2020, Suresh Raina and Priyanka became parents for the second time as they had a son and named him Rio.
In picture: The Rainas - Suresh, Priyanka, Gracia and Rio - celebrating Diwali 2020 in Delhi. Raina captioned this photo: Most special Diwali ever with Rio joining me, Priyanka & Gracia for our yearly puja & rituals. On top, this Diwali Puja is combined with grahpravesh to our new house.
Priyanka Raina posted this picture of herself with husband Suresh Raina and daughter Gracia during Diwali celebrations a few years ago.
On August 15, 2020, Suresh Raina announced his retirement from international cricket. He had an elaborate and emotional post on Instagram:
With a lot of mixed feelings I’m able to make this announcement of my retirement. From a very young age, I as a small boy had literally lived Cricket on every street, gali and nukkad of my small town before making it to the Indian team. All I have known is cricket, all I have done is cricket & it runs through my veins. There hasn’t been a single day without counting my blessings & without acknowledging everything I have received from god & my people who showered nothing but love on me.
All I strived for was to value those blessings & give my everything in return to my game, to my country & everyone who has been a part of this journey. I had multiple surgeries, set backs & moments when I felt that this is it but I didn’t stop or settle for anything which was not justified. It's been an incredible ride and it would not have been possible without everyone who supported me during my ups and downs. This journey could not have been possible without the unflinching support and sacrifices of my parents, my loving wife Priyanka, my children Gracia and Rio, my brothers, my sister and all members of our family. This is all you.
My Coaches who always showed me the right direction, my Physicians for helping me heal, my trainers for helping me perform at the highest level. My boys in BLUE, nothing would have been possible without the support of the wonderful India Team in blue. I had the pleasure of playing with the best of the very best players and all of them played for Team India. I feel lucky to have played under the captaincy of some of the best minds in the game Rahul Bhai, Anil Bhai, Sachin Paaji, Chiku and especially with @mahi7781 for guiding me as a friend and mentor.
Thank you @indiancricketteam and @upcacricket for the all the support and making the dreams of a boy from UP wanting to play for team India come true.
And lastly my fans, I am what I am because of the love and adulation that you have showered upon me thru the years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everyone who supported me in playing International Cricket at the highest level. I’ll always be filled with nothing but gratitude. Forever, Team India. Jai Hind.
