IPL 6: CSK's Suresh Raina becomes first Indian to score century this season

Suresh Raina may be the leading run-scorer in IPL, but on Thursday he had the satisfaction of scoring his first ton in the tournament.u00a0

The southpaw stormed to his century off just 53 balls during Chennai Super Kings' tie against Kings XI Punjab at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.

Raina, who is the leading run-scorer in IPL with over 2500 runs, is the first batsman to have performed the feat, but before this match hadn't scored a ton.

The CSK batsman's 100 not out included seven fours and six sixes and follows an unbeaten 63 against the Pune Warriors in the last match.

Suresh Raina scored an unbeaten 100 off just 53 balls against KXIP. Pic/AFP

The UP cricketer is the third batsman after Chris Gayle and Shane Watson to score a century in IPL 6.

The 26-year-old needed nine off the last over to reach the three-figure mark. Raina hit a straight six off Parvinder Awana, took a couple and then off the penultimate delivery took a single to reach the milestone.

The fans at Chepauk gave him a standing ovation as soon as he reached the landmark.

The left-hander brought up his 17th IPL fifty off 32 balls with the help of five fours and 2 sixes in the 15th over and needed only 21 more balls to score the 2nd fifty.

Raina was in sublime form, spraying the off-side with his trademark cover drives.

Raina played an almost flawless innings appearing unperturbed at the crease and the couple of sixes he hit off seamer Manpreet Gony in the 16th over were arguably the shots of the innings.