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ODI high, Test low marks Raina's decade in international cricket

July 30, 2015

India batsman Suresh Raina completed a decade in international cricket on Thursday during which which he established himself as one of the key players in the limited-overs' format but failed to make an impact in Test cricket.

The Uttar Pradesh batsman, who made his international debut in a One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on July 30, 2005, said is happy with way his career has progressed so far.

"It has been a really exciting journey for me completing a decade in international cricket," the left-hander said.

"I would like to thank my family, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), selectors, teammates, friends and fans for making this unbelievable journey incredible. I am happy the way I have paced my career so far and I will continue to give my best to bring all the laurels to the country," he added.

Interestingly, the 28-year-old had a forgettable debut when he was dismissed for a duck in his maiden ODI by Sri Lanka's champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Till date he has played 218 One-Day Internationals in which he has scored 5500 runs, including five centuries and 35 half-centuries, with a strike rate of 93.80.

Raina is the only Indian batsman to have a scored a century in all three formats of cricket -- T20s, ODIs and Tests.

He was the part of the 50-overs' World Cup Indian team in 2011 and also featured in the next edition in Australia-New Zealand earlier this year.

In the two World Cups he played, he scored 358 runs, including one century and two half-centuries, with a strike rate of 107.50.

In 2011, Raina got an opportunity to lead the team in the West Indies and under his captaincy it won the ODI series 3-2.

However, he struggled to make a mark in Test cricket. He has only played 18 Tests since making his debut in 2010, scoring 768 runs at an average of 26. He last featured in the Indian Test team against Australia in Sydney earlier this year when he was dismissed without scoring in both innings.

Photograph: Getty Images

Also read:

- Raina reigns from the ranks

- 'Test cricket is always the top priority for any cricketer'

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