Suresh Raina has confirmed his decision to retire from international cricket by releasing a statement on his social media accounts, saying he has a lot of "mixed feelings" while making the announcement.
Raina earlier on Saturday (August 15) in a post on Instagram said that he has decided to join MS Dhoni in his journey, after the former captain announced his international retirement. He represented India 19 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is.
Here is Raina's full statement, where he thanked everyone who has played a part in his career:
"With a lot of mixed feelings I’m able to make this announcement of my retirement. From a very young age, I as a small boy had literally lived Cricket on every street, gali and nukkad of my small town before making it to the Indian team.
All I have known is cricket, all I have done is cricket & it runs through my veins.
There hasn’t been a single day without counting my blessings & without acknowledging everything I have received from god & my people who showered nothing but love on me.
All I strived for was to value those blessings & give my everything in return to my game, to my country & everyone who has been a part of this journey.
I had multiple surgeries, set backs & moments when I felt that this is it but I didn’t stop or settle for anything which was not justified.
It's been an incredible ride and it would not have been possible without everyone who supported me during my ups and downs. This journey could not have been possible without the unflinching support and sacrifices of my parents, my loving wife Priyanka, my children Gracia and Rio, my brothers, my sister and all members of our family. This is all you.
My Coaches who always showed me the right direction, my Physicians for helping me heal, my trainers for helping me perform at the highest level.
My boys in BLUE, nothing would have been possible without the support of the wonderful India Team in blue. I had the pleasure of playing with the best of the very best players and all of them played for Team India. I feel lucky to have played under the captaincy of some of the best minds in the game Rahul Bhai, Anil Bhai, Sachin Paaji, Chiku and especially with @mahi7781 for guiding me as a friend and mentor.
Thank you @indiancricketteam and @upcacricket for the all the support and making the dreams of a boy from UP wanting to play for team India come true.
And lastly my fans, I am what I am because of the love and adulation that you have showered upon me thru the years.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everyone who supported me in playing International Cricket at the highest level. I’ll always be filled with nothing but gratitude
Forever, Team India. Jai Hind."
Raina also posted a special video on Instagram which captures some of the best moments from his international career with Team India:
