Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina received an honorable doctorate from Chennai’s Vels University. The Chennai-based university felicitated Raina with the big honour in a special convocation held at the college premises on Friday (August 5).
Raina posted images from the convocation ceremony on his official Twitter account. In the post, Raina asserted that he was humbled to receive the honour and moved by the love. He also spoke about his love for the city of Chennai and the special place it holds in his heart.
“I am humbled to receive this honor from the outstanding institution VELS Institute of Science & technology & Advanced Studies @VelsVistas @IshariKGanesh Sir. I am moved by all the love & thank you from the bottom of my heart. Chennai is home & it has a special place for me,” wrote Raina on his official Twitter account.
Raina played a total of 18 Test matches, 226 ODIs, and 78 T20Is for Team India over the course of an international career that lasted 13 years. His last appearance for the national team came in 2018 having made his debut in 2005. He announced his retirement from international cricket in 2020 just minutes after MS Dhoni did the same. He was an integral member of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad.
Despite quitting international cricket, Raina has continued to play domestic and franchise cricket. He was part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad that won the IPL in 2021. However, Raina to the shock of many went unsold at the 2022 IPL mega auction after CSK did not retain him.
Raina has been part of CSK since the Indian Premier league’s (IPL) inception in 2008 and has been one of best players across the league over the years. During CSK’s suspension from IPL for two years, Raina was named captain of the Gujarat Lions.
