In Pics: The bond between MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina admirably stuck around with Mahendra Singh Dhoni in highs, lows, and from Saturday, in retirement. (TOI Photo)

On Saturday, following in the footsteps of his favourite captain and mentor, Raina announced his retirement from international cricket as well. (TOI Photo)

Raina is among the few who made centuries across formats, having played 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20 Internationals while scoring 768, 5615 and 1605 runs respectively. (TOI Photo)

Raina also has 36 ODI wickets to his name and 13 each in Tests and T20Is, apart from his excellent fielding skills. (AFP Photo)

If Greg Chappell saw a raw talent in the boy from Lucknow Sports College, Dhoni knew how to use Raina. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Playing for Chennai Super Kings and becoming probably the most consistent IPL players since inception made Raina a better India player. (TOI Photo)

Dhoni knew that if India played mostly in the sub-continent, an aggressive player like Raina would be an asset with his running between the wickets and ability to hit the spinners with ease. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

Raina's understanding with Dhoni grew while batting in the middle overs and for a better part with five fielders outside the 30-yard circle in one-dayers. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

Raina nicknamed Chinna Thala by CSK fans decided to follow in his Thala's footsteps in retirement too. (TOI Photo)

Raina was the first Indian cricketer to score a century in all three formats. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)