Suresh Raina roared back to form in style at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The left-hander blitzed his way to a century in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament.
The 31-year-old left-hander has endured a torrid time with the bat. He has found it difficult to get runs in recent times, in Ranji Trophy and the zonal phase of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. However, it was different on Monday.
Raina, who is the captain of Uttar Pradesh team, smashed 13 fours and seven sixes to remain unbeaten on his T20 career-best 126 off 59. His strike rate was 213.56.
From one left hander to another. In the former Captain @SGanguly99’s presence, @ImRaina hits a 49-ball century #BENvUP pic.twitter.com/knqpuixutZ
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 22, 2018
Thanks to Raina’s scintillating knock that UP posted a mammoth total of 235/3 in 20 overs against Bengal. His superb innings was watched at the venue and appreciated by former India captain Sourav Ganguly.
Expectedly, Bengal began their innings in style but crumbled under pressure only to be bowled out for 160 falling well 75 runs short of the target.
Twitter was elated as their favourite cricketer coming back to form with the bat and welcomed him back into his groove. His fans also hoped that he continues in the same vein in the upcoming matches.
Here’s how they reacted:
Before this game: Ek Tha Raina
After this game: Raina Zinda Hai 🙌😊🏏 #BENvUP— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 22, 2018
Century for Raina. Well played. Didn’t even break a sweat. 🙌🏏 #BENvUP #MushtaqAliT20
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 22, 2018
Blistering ton by @ImRaina against Bengal. The knock was entertaining indeed. Kudos! #SyedMushtaqAliTrophy
— R Sarath Kumar (@realsarathkumar) January 22, 2018
SURESH RAINA's 126* is now the highest individual score in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 history surpassing Unmukt Chand's 125 in 2013.
UTTAR PRADESH's 235/3 is also the 2nd highest total in the tournament's history behind Delhi's 236/9 in 2016.#MushtaqAliT20 #BENvUP
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 22, 2018
Suresh Raina Is A Champion 👏
This man proved "Never Give Up"
Congratulations Champ @ImRaina
This is just a trailer, Film Yet To Come 👍#BENvUP
— Cricket Lover 🇮🇳💛 (@PradipMsd7) January 22, 2018
Success isn’t Given.
It’s Earned, on the Pitch,
on the field, in the Gym,
With Grit, Determination and Sweat !!
Well Played Suresh Raina @ImRaina #BENvUP #MushtaqAliT20#ReturnOfTheSuperKings #SummerIsComing #WhistlePodu @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/a1zE4tar5O— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) January 22, 2018
And the man is back. Congratulations to our very own @ImRaina on a great century. Keep it going. @BCCI pic.twitter.com/ZjPGsfCAP0
— 100MB (@100MasterBlastr) January 22, 2018
Suresh Raina is Happy to Back in #CSK #WhistlePodu #SummerIsComing @ChennaiIPL @ImRaina pic.twitter.com/aCJ2jcm73q
— WhistlePodu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) January 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/amolmuzumdar11/status/955367122565087237
CHAMPIONS never up !! Chinna Thala @ImRaina proves once again why he is a 👑 in the shorter format of the game. Brilliant 💯 👏👏
Looking forward to more fireworks 🔥in the coming months for @ChennaiIPL #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/dtLnI3rVZI
— Lakky (@lakshuakku) January 22, 2018
Well played Champ #SURESH_RAINA #KEEP_ROCKING #T20 #PERFECT_COME_BACK @ImRaina love u champ pic.twitter.com/OaIqW98n15
— Vikki (@Viki_offl) January 22, 2018
That's Suresh Raina for you! #MushtaqAliT20 #BENvUP pic.twitter.com/fEpHndB4W3
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 22, 2018