In a letter the Prime Minister paid tribute to the all-rounder, who followed his former captain in retirement from International cricket on Saturday, that not only would he be remembered for his batting but also for being an "exemplary and inspiring" fielder adding "It would take days to count just the number of runs you have saved by your alertness on the field.”

The 33- year old Raina followed his close friend and captain Dhoni in retirement from International cricket on Saturday and the Prime Minister said that the" I do not want to use the word ‘retirement’ because you are way too young and energetic to ‘retire’.

Raina, shared the letter on his social media account on Friday saying “When we play, we give our blood & sweat for the nation. No better appreciation than being loved by the people of this country and even more by the country’s PM. Thank you Narendra Modiji for your words of appreciation & best wishes. I accept them with gratitude.”

Modi also recalled watching the all rounder at the Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad during the 2011 World Cup quarter-finals against Australia, saying "India can never forget your inspiring role" in the match.

"You have lived and breathed cricket. Your interest in the sport began early in life, in the by-lanes of Muradnagar and subsequently found feet in the playgrounds of Lucknow. There on, what an eventful journey it has been, culminating in the most important honour of representing India - a country you love deeply - in all three forms of the game."

"Generations will remember you not only as a fine batsman but also as a very useful bowler who the captain could turn to when the situation demanded. Your fielding was exemplary and inspiring. Some of the best catches in recent international cricket have your distinctive imprint. It would take days to count just the number of runs you have saved by your alertness on the field" The Prime Minister added.

Raina was the first Indian cricketer to score a T20I century. He finished his One-Day International (ODI) career with 5,615 runs at an average of 35.13 and a strike rate of 93.50. He scored 1,605 runs in Twenty20 Internationals at an average 29.18 and a strike of 134.87.In Tests,He hit a century on debut against Sri Lanka in 2010 and totalled 768 runs from 18 Tests.