Lost my support system: Suresh Raina pens heartfelt note after father’s demise

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina penned a heartfelt note on social media a day after the demise of his father. Trilokchand Raina breathed his last at his residence in Uttar Pradesh after a battle with cancer on Sunday, February 6.

Suresh Raina took to social media to share an emotional post, saying he has lost his support system.

“No words can describe the pain of losing a father. Yesterday, on passing away of my father, I also lost my support system, my pillar of strength. He was a true fighter till his last breath. May you rest in peace Papa. You will forever be missed,” Raina said in his post.

Suresh Raina’s father, a former army officer, was diagnosed with cancer and his condition was deteriorating since December last year.

Raina’s former India and Chennai Super Kings teammate Harbhajan Singh offered condolences. In a tweet, he wrote: “Very sad to hear Suresh Raina’s father @ImRaina RIP uncle ji,” wrote Harbhajan.

Raina, who was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning side, played 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20Is. He last played for Inda in 2018. Raina had announced retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, hours after MS Dhoni pulled down the curtains on his celebrated international career.

Raina was part of Chennai Super Kings’ victorious campaign in Indian Premier League 2021. However, he played only 12 matches, managing just 160 runs before an injury ruled him out of the business end of the tournament.

Raina was not retained by Chennai Super Kings who went for MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad as their 4 retention picks.

Raina has listed himself for a base price of Rs 2 crore and he is among the 590 shortlisted players who will be going under the hammer in the IPL 2022 auction, scheduled for February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru.