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[Saba Sports News] Cricket has seen many enduring friendships, and Indian cricket is no exception, with strong bonds often forming from a young age. Among the most cherished is the camaraderie between Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni.
As India’s 78th Independence Day approaches, their friendship, especially their joint retirement on August 15, 2020, becomes even more memorable.
In 2020, on India’s 74th Independence Day, both Raina and Dhoni surprised fans by announcing their retirement from international cricket. Dhoni, known as ‘Thala,’ and Raina, affectionately called ‘Chinna,’ shared a bond that fans likened to a match made in cricketing heaven.
Dhoni’s last international game was the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal against New Zealand. A year later, he announced his retirement on Instagram, and Raina quickly followed, choosing the same day to retire.
In an interview, Raina explained that the decision was symbolic: combining their jersey numbers (Dhoni’s 7 and Raina’s 3) totals 73, which matched India’s 73rd year of independence in 2020. He felt it was the perfect day to step away from the game.
Both players have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. Raina was part of the 2011 World Cup-winning team, while Dhoni, during his illustrious captaincy, led India to victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy, becoming the only captain to win all three ICC trophies.