Following his buddy MS Dhoni’s retirement declaration, Suresh Raina chose to “join” him in the journey and said goodbye to international cricket on Saturday (August 15).
As soon as Raina revealed the shocking news, it generated several tributes on social media. The left-handed batsman accumulated 7787 runs in 322 international matches.
Tributes for Raina came from international cricketers all across the globe. His former teammates and current India team players wished the southpaw a great future ahead.
Apart from the cricketers, other sports personalities too came forward to wish Raina and pay him tribute for having such a phenomenal career.
The first-ever Indian woman to reach considerable heights in Tennis, Sania Mirza reacted on Raina’s retirement. Sania mentioned how proud she is of her friend and wished Raina a piece of good luck in the post-retirement phase.
“So proud of you, my friend and everything you have achieved. good luck in this next phase too … @ImRaina” tweeted Sania.
So proud of you my friend and everything you have achieved 🤗 good luck in this next phase too .. @ImRaina
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) August 16, 2020
After the tennis superstar, it was a turn of Badminton phenom Saina Nehwal. The only Indian female player to achieve world no.1 in badminton wished Raina a great life. Saina also thanked Raina for producing delightful moments and entertaining the fans.
“Thank you for the wonderful sports moments and great entertainment! Wish you a great life ahead! @ImRaina” Saina wrote on Twitter.
Thank you for the wonderful sports moments and great entertainment! Wish you a great life ahead! @ImRaina 😊🙏👍 #SureshRaina
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) August 15, 2020
Another badminton star, Jwala Gutta, paid her tributes to Raina and said fans would miss him on the cricket field.
“Thank you @ImRaina for all talent you displayed…this is just another beginning to another joyous journey of your life…you will be greatly missed on the field…my best wishes,” Jwala tweeted.
Thank you @ImRaina for all talent you displayed…this is just another beginning to another joyous journey of your life…you will be greatly missed on the field…my best wishes 🙂🇮🇳❤️
— Gutta Jwala 💙 (@Guttajwala) August 15, 2020
Freestyle wrestler and Arjuna awardee, Bajrang Punia hailed both MSD and Raina. He posted a picture of both Dhoni and Raina and captioned it as: “Some people come along, play their duty and go along! @msdhoni @ImRaina, Your success on the cricket field, will always be inspiring for the youth. Hail India! ”
"कुछ लोग साथ आते हैं, ओर अपना फ़र्ज़ निभाते हैं और चले भी साथ जाते हैं! #MSधोनी_व_सुरेश रैना_अलविदा_क्रिकेट💐💐@msdhoni @ImRaina । क्रिकेट के मैदान पर आपकी सफलता युवाओं के लिए हमेशा प्रेरणादायी रहेगी।❤️❤️जय हिंद जय भारत 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/jOZLwtHrs2
— Bajrang Punia 🇮🇳 (@BajrangPunia) August 15, 2020
Here’s how some other sportspersons wished Raina:
Two of the greatest cricketers @msdhoni @ImRaina have taken retirement from Indian cricket today. Their entertaining performances and best moments to Indian cricket will be missed. My best wishes to Dhoni bhaiya & Suresh bhaiya. #DhoniRetires #rainaretires #SureshRaina #MSDhoni7 pic.twitter.com/QL29cTf8Oa
— Hima (mon jai) (@HimaDas8) August 15, 2020
भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम के दिग्गज खिलाड़ी @ImRaina भाई जी अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर टीम में आपकी कमी हमेशा खलेगी आप जैसे खिलाड़ी सदियों में पैदा होते हैं !! शानदार ओर जानदार पारियों के लिए आप खेल जगत में हमेशा याद रखें जाएँगे। आगे के जीवन के लिये आपको बहुत बहुत शुभकामनाएँ 👏👏🙏🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/G3QYnCtzmi
— Pawan Saroha (@pawankumar86kg) August 16, 2020
ज़िंदगी में हमेशा ऐसे ही ख़ुश रहना भाई @ImRaina #Rainaretired pic.twitter.com/QzOYqqqUfi
— Manoj Kumar OLY🇮🇳 (@BoxerManojkr) August 15, 2020
You both have fulfilled dreams of millions of Indian. You have given it all for the country. Your sportsman spirit will be cherished. Thank you for such a good memories @msdhoni @ImRaina pic.twitter.com/nGD9uQ0pvV
— Pooja Dhanda (@poojadhanda0007) August 16, 2020
The two great cricketers MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina will be missed in international cricket. Thank you for giving some unforgettable moments to Indian sports and entertaining innings. Best wishes for future. @ImRaina pic.twitter.com/Wx4B0YG9VK
— Rani Rampal (@imranirampal) August 16, 2020
What an incredible journey brother @ImRaina Best wishes for your future..#Rainaretired pic.twitter.com/dgDb9lJYnu
— Sushil Kumar (@WrestlerSushil) August 15, 2020