Suresh Raina Reveals What MS Dhoni Told Him After His Shocking Retirement 

Suresh Raina with MS Dhoni. [Source - AFP]

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has been away from international cricket for several years now. He announced his retirement on August 15, 2020, choosing the same date as legendary former India captain MS Dhoni. 

Raina retired just hours after Dhoni announced his international retirement, bringing an emotional end to his own career. He last played for India in 2018, during the ODI series against England, before making his decision two years later.

Suresh Raina had announced shocking retirement aged 33

Suresh Raina was 33 years old when he made the big decision to retire from international cricket in August 2020. Despite difficult final years with form and fitness issues, he still appeared capable of making a comeback then.

An integral part of India’s white-ball success under MS Dhoni, Raina was also the first Indian batter to score international centuries across all three formats. His retirement, therefore, came as a shock to fans, including his close teammate MS Dhoni.

MS Dhoni was stunned after Suresh Raina followed him in retirement

In an exclusive interview with Aakash Chopra on Baith and Bol, powered by CREX, Suresh Raina opened up about the period when he decided to announce his international retirement alongside MS Dhoni. 

Raina went on to recall the conversation he had with Dhoni after making the unexpected announcement that he was retiring from international cricket as well. 

"At that point, whether I was 32 or 33, whatever the age was. But in the dressing room when he [MS Dhoni] did it, I went in and said 'It's done.' He goes 'Ye Kya Kiya Tune' (What did you just do?)," Raina said.

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Given the close friendship Raina and Dhoni have, alongside the significance of retiring from international cricket on the same day, Dhoni was understandably shocked by Raina’s decision and expressed his shock when the former India batter revealed his plans.

Raina reveals how retiring alongside Dhoni was his way of giving something back to the legend

Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni shared a bond that extended far beyond cricket, with the former India captain supporting him from his younger days. Dhoni even sacrificed his batting positions at times while constantly motivating Raina to do well for the team.

The duo spent more than a decade together representing India and Chennai Super Kings, sharing World Cup triumphs and multiple IPL titles. For Raina, announcing his retirement alongside Dhoni was therefore more than coincidence; it felt like giving something back.

"You know how he is as a person. But I think if someone sacrificed so much for you, then you have that. There should be a capacity to give back. Because everyone has money, but you need a big heart to spend it," Raina concluded.

However, Raina’s retirement decision left Dhoni genuinely shocked, despite their extraordinary friendship and years together. The reaction from Dhoni added an emotional touch to Raina’s retirement story, underlining just how special their relationship remained even at the end of their international careers.

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