Suresh Raina Reveals Why He Retired On August 15 With MS Dhoni

Suresh Raina also revealed why he and MS Dhoni chose August 15 as the day to announce retirement from international cricket.

Photo: Twitter

As nation celebrated its 74th Independence Day on August 15, team India's most successful captain and star middle-order batsman Suresh Raina both retired from international cricket. Dhoni shared a very simple Instagram post, as he wrote, "Thanks a lot for your love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as retired." Following his CSK captain, Suresh Raina too announced his retirement and also congratulated the legendary wicket-keeper batsman on his inccredible cricketing carrer. "It was nothing but lovely playing with you, @mahi7781 . With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you in this journey. Thank you India. Jai Hind!" read Suresh Raina's post. Dhoni and some other CSK players of the Chennai Super Kings franchise landed up in Chennai in August 14 on a charted plane to undergo a training camp ahead of Indian Premier League in United Arab Emirates. Suresh Raina revealed that he already knew that Dhoni was going to retire after reaching Chennai and so he had prepared himself as well. "I knew Dhoni would announce his retirement upon reaching Chennai, so I was ready. I, Piyush Chawla, Deepak Chahar and Karn Sharma reached Ranchi on 14th with the chartered plane, and picked up Mahi bhai and Monu Singh. “After announcing our retirement, we hugged and cried a lot. I, Piyush, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav and Karn sat together after that, talked about our careers and our relationship. We partied during the night. Everyone has to go one day. We don't want anything but only respect” Suresh Raina told Dainik Jagran. Raina also revealed why he and Dhoni chose August 15 as the day to announce retirement from international cricket. "We had made up our minds to retire on August 15. Mahi Bhai’s jersey number is 7 and mine is 3 and put it together and it makes 73. And on Saturday, our country completed 73 years of independence, so there couldn't have been a better day,” Suresh Raina told Dainik Jagran.