Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Suresh Raina’s dogged determination on the field is reflected through his quiet persona. Soft-spoken and patient, he insists that the CSK fans are the best. “They are knowledgeable and they love each player in the team,” says Raina, who has been with the franchise right from the beginning, playing every single match for CSK since the IPL’s inception in 2008.
Though not a regular bowler, Raina bowls part-time off-spin and believes he has a decent bowling record for India and the Super Kings — his hat-trick for Chennai in 2009 being one of his best moments. Raina discovered the drive to be a bowler when he dismissed a figure as potent as former Australian captain Ricky Ponting as his very first Test wicket, he had said in earlier interviews. He believes that to face the fierce competition, one has to excel in all areas of the game.
As a batsman, Raina is the only player who achieved the feat of amassing a minimum of 400 runs in the first three IPL tournaments, playing cameos that helped propel his team to large totals. Raina was a mainstay in all departments of the game in CSK’s first title triumph. His abilities as a fielder are evident when he turns lethal at point position, effecting run-outs and taking spectacular catches at full-stretch mid-air. His athleticism on the field stops the vital one and two runs that keep the scoreboard ticking and restricting the opposition to low totals.
Quiz him about his favourite nail-biter this season and Raina says, “The match against Royal Challengers Bangalore was quite thrilling. And so was the match with Sunrisers Hyderabad,” he says.
Cricket is all about mental strength, more than the physical, he believes. “It is all about not panicking on the field. The team that panics first gets into trouble. You have to stay strong on the field,” reiterates this taciturn sportsperson.
The youngster from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has come a long way from his early days at the Government Sports College, Lucknow, to becoming an indispensable part of the national team and also the squad which went on to win the World Cup in 2011.
Often seen hanging out with teammate Ravindra Jadeja, Raina admits that all his teammates are his friends. “Jadeja is a good friend. I also hang out with all the other teammates, the international players too. I also like hanging out at Ani’s (Anirudha Srikanth) place,” he laughs. On Captain Cool, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Raina says, “Dhoni is a very honest captain and there’s always a positive environment in the locker room.”
There’s another side to Raina. A responsible citizen, he strives to make a difference in whatever capacity he can. He recently tweeted, “On the way to Chennai. Deeply disturbed by news of the brutal rape of the little girl. We need to stay awake in our fight for justice.”
He is also seen cruising across the capital in his brand new acquisition, Porsche Boxster Limited Edition. And true to his cricketing loyalties, it is yellow too. “It’s been great driving around the city. The best part is that I bought it on my dad’s birthday,” he says.
Apart from cricket, Raina says that he loves to cook. “Yes, I love to cook, especially with my mother and for her. I can make most of the popular vegetarian dishes. Besides that, I love watching movies and I also enjoy shopping,” says Raina, who was earlier spotted carrying a stylish Louis Vuitton bag.
“I’m not really a very brand-conscious person,” he says, in parting.