Harshvardhan Mishra
Cricket in India is not just a sport—it’s a religion, and cricketers are revered as icons. Over the decades, India has produced a slew of cricketing legends who have left an indelible mark on the game across formats. Among these trailblazers, one cricketer carved a unique niche for himself by becoming the first Indian to score a century in all three formats of international cricket—Suresh Raina.
The Historic Achievement
Suresh Raina etched his name in the history books by achieving this rare feat in international cricket. He became the first Indian batsman to score hundreds in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Let’s take a detailed look at each of his centuries across the formats:
1. Test Century
- Date: July 2010
- Opponent: Sri Lanka
- Venue: Colombo (PSS)
- Score: 120 runs
Raina made his Test debut in the second match of the 2010 series against Sri Lanka. Coming in at a critical time, he showcased composure and flair, scoring a brilliant 120. His century was crucial in helping India salvage a draw after a daunting first-innings total by the Lankans. This knock was especially remarkable given the traditional difficulty for Indian batsmen to perform on Sri Lankan pitches in the Test format.
2. ODI Century
- Date: June 2008
- Opponent: Hong Kong
- Venue: Karachi
- Score: 101* runs
Raina’s first ODI hundred came during the Asia Cup against Hong Kong. Though the opposition was not a cricketing heavyweight, a century in international cricket is always special. Raina’s innings was laced with powerful shots, quick running between the wickets, and showed his ability to dominate any attack.
3. T20I Century
- Date: May 2010
- Opponent: South Africa
- Venue: Gros Islet, St. Lucia (ICC T20 World Cup)
- Score: 101 runs
In the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, Raina became the first Indian to score a century in T20 internationals, smashing 101 against a formidable South African bowling line-up. His innings was a perfect blend of innovation, power, and classical cricketing strokes. Notably, this was only the third T20I century at the time in global cricket, highlighting the rarity and value of such a performance.
Significance of the Feat
Suresh Raina’s achievement is significant for several reasons:
🔹 Versatility Across Formats
Scoring centuries across all formats demonstrates a cricketer’s ability to adapt to different demands—whether it’s the patience and technique required in Tests, the balance of aggression and caution in ODIs, or the explosive stroke play needed in T20s.
🔹 Pioneering Role
Raina was not only the first Indian to reach this milestone but also one of the first few globally. His performance inspired many younger players, proving that India could produce multi-format match-winners.
🔹 T20I Trailblazer
At a time when T20I cricket was still developing, Raina’s century gave a glimpse into the future of Indian batting, setting a template for how middle-order batsmen could dominate even in the shortest format.
Legacy and Recognition
While Raina may not have the towering statistics of some of his peers, his legacy as a pioneer in Indian cricket is undeniable. Apart from his triple-format centuries, he was known for:
- Exceptional fielding ability
- Finishing prowess in white-ball cricket
- Strong performances under pressure
- Contributions to India’s 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy wins
Raina’s consistency and adaptability ensured he was a valuable asset in India’s middle order for several years.
Other Indians Who Joined the Elite Club
Since Raina’s groundbreaking achievement, a few other Indian batsmen have also entered the elite club of players with centuries in all formats:
- Rohit Sharma
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
While these players have now matched and in some cases surpassed Raina in terms of records and longevity, Suresh Raina will always be remembered as the first Indian to unlock this elite milestone.
Conclusion
Suresh Raina’s historic centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is marked a watershed moment in Indian cricket. His achievement not only showcased his immense talent but also highlighted the evolution of the modern Indian cricketer—versatile, aggressive, and multi-skilled.
As cricket continues to evolve, milestones like Raina’s serve as inspiration for future generations. For fans of Indian cricket, his name will forever be associated with a key turning point in the country’s rich cricketing journey.
