Suresh Raina’s IPL Journey: First IPL Season vs Last IPL Season performance comparison

Bought by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the league’s inaugural edition, he went on to become an integral part of the franchise, contributing to their dominance and being part of all five of their title-winning campaigns during his career.

Raina played his first IPL season in 2007-08 for CSK, where he immediately showcased his calibre by scoring 421 runs from 14 innings, a remarkable standard for the tournament’s debut year. As T20 cricket rapidly gained global relevance and some of the biggest names in world cricket flocked to the IPL, Raina continued to stand out. His performances in the inaugural season were instrumental in CSK’s journey to the final, where they narrowly lost to Rajasthan Royals (RR). His ability to bat with intent made him one of the earliest stars of the league.

Over the next decade, Raina was the model of reliability. He scored more than 350 runs in every season until 2021, reinforcing his status as one of the most dependable batters in the tournament’s history. However, the 2021 season turned out to be his final one in the IPL, where he managed 160 runs in 11 innings, a difficult campaign personally, even though CSK lifted their fourth title that year.

Raina finished his IPL career with 5528 runs in 200 innings, a tally that reflects his mastery over the format and his longevity in the league. While his international achievements were modest compared to some peers, in the IPL, Raina was a dominant force who regularly dictated terms when in rhythm.

His long-standing association with CSK and his close bond with MS Dhoni earned him the affectionate nickname ‘Chinna Thala’ (Junior Leader). Whether through his fluent stroke play or his signature inside-out shot over extra cover, Raina carved a special place in IPL folklore, and in the hearts of cricket fans worldwide.

Suresh Raina’s IPL 2008 vs IPL 2021 performance comparison