A night to remember as the CSK legend stamped his authority with a breathtaking ton
The Indian Premier League is a cricket carnival where players shine under dazzling lights. Amidst the excitement, some performances endure. Talk of Chennai Super Kings’ beloved player after MS Dhoni, and one name springs to mind—Suresh Raina, affectionately called “Chinna Thala” by fans.
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Raina was the backbone of Chennai’s batting for years, a player who commanded the game. Despite being the league’s most consistent scorer, he lacked a century. On May 2, 2013, that changed. Under the Chennai heat, Raina delivered a masterful century, showcasing not just power but also finesse and determination.
On a humid evening in Chepauk, Chennai Super Kings faced Kings XI Punjab. The Men in Yellow started cautiously, losing Wriddhiman Saha (18) early. Michael Hussey (35), CSK’s “Mr. Consistent,” steadied the ship alongside Raina, both scoring just over six runs per over in the first half of the innings.
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Raina’s start was scratchy, making 14 off 15 balls as he struggled in the humid conditions. Fatigue set in, and Hussey also gasped for breath. A timeout in the ninth over brought relief; Raina received a back massage, wrapped his head in a wet towel, and took a deep breath. What followed was pure magic.
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Raina quickly announced his intent after the break with a stunning drive and a massive six over long-on off David Hussey. With CSK at 82 for 2 in the 12th over, Raina launched a slog sweep over the boundaries and skillfully manipulated the field.
His acceleration was remarkable—he went from 50 off 32 balls to a century in just 21 more. Praveen Kumar and Manpreet Gony struggled, with Raina dispatching their deliveries into the Chennai night sky.
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By the time the final over arrived, Raina was on 94. The crowd was on its feet, waiting for history to be made. He took just two more deliveries to get there. A six-over midwicket brought him to 99, and a flick off his pads sealed the century—his first in IPL history.
The scoreboard read 100* off 53 balls. 7 fours, 6 towering sixes, and a strike rate of 188.67. He had carried CSK to 186 for 4, with 70 runs coming in the last five overs. It was vintage Raina—effortless, elegant, and electric.
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Raina’s century was a rare feat in CSK colours. He became only the third player from the franchise to score an IPL ton at the time, joining Murali Vijay and Michael Hussey.
More importantly, his innings powered CSK to their seventh consecutive win of the season—an unprecedented streak that strengthened their dominance in IPL 2013.
That night, Raina also became the first player in IPL history to cross 2,800 runs. His century came off just 53 balls, making it one of the fastest IPL hundreds back then.
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Despite a spirited chase from Shaun Marsh (73) and David Miller (51), Punjab fell short by 15 runs (171/6). Dwayne Bravo held his nerve in the final over, but the night truly belonged to Raina.
It wasn’t just about the numbers but about how he played. His composure at the start, the explosive finish, the relentless running, and the seamless stroke play solidified his reputation as one of the greatest match-winners in IPL history.
