New Delhi: A compact left-handed middle-order batsman and the only batsman from India to score century in all three formats of cricket- T-20, ODI and Test has been signed up exclusively by country’s leading sports management group, IOS Sports & Entertainment.
Uttar Pradesh Ranji team Captain Suresh Raina who is celebrating 10 years of his international debut on 30 July 2015 has signed a three year deal with IOS Sports & Entertainment who co-incidentally is also celebrating 10 years of successful operations.
Speaking on signing this deal with IOS, Suresh Raina said “I was in touch with Neerav from past few months and we had several rounds of dialogs. I have been observing his company doing very interesting work for Olympic Sportspersons. I believe IOS had all the requisite credentials I needed, importantly they have a passionate and dedicated team who understands the space and comfort that a sportsperson needs”.
“I am very happy to be represented by IOS and I am also elated that I would be working with the company that has produced results in the recent past” he said.
Commenting on this deal, Mr. Neerav Tomar, MD & CEO IOS Sports & Entertainment said “I am really excited about signing the deal with country’s premier cricketer Suresh Raina. We were in touch with each other for a longtime and finally we have signed the deal. I am sure we will have a great partnership working together. Raina has been very consistent in all formats of the game and has the flexibility to adapt and play as the situation demands. Importantly from a sponsorship point of view Raina has all the credentials, is articulate, has the ability and is not over exposed”.
“We at IOS believe that Raina has all-round credentials that make him a valuable asset, given his excellent fielding skills. We already have our plans in place for managing Suresh Raina. Initially we will be doing his brand imagery. Also, we will be looking at brands that suits his image and fits his profile” he further added.
The 28 year old Raina has scored 1 century and 7 half-centuries in the test cricket, 5 centuries and 35 half-centuries in ODI and 1 century and 3 half-centuries in T-20, is the only Indian to score centuries in both T20 World Cup and 50-50 Overs World Cup.
Suresh Raina is the first cricketer IOS has signed. It is a long term association for Raina’s worldwide representation rights. With this association IOS will manage Raina’s endorsements and brand associations, corporate profile, patents and digital rights, images, visibility on social networking sites and merchandise.
By inducting country’s top cricketer Suresh Raina into its fold, IOS has consolidated its Talent Management verticals position as India’s leading sports management group. IOS manages some elite sportspersons from different disciplines like Olympic medalists Vijender Singh, boxer MC Mary Kom, wrestler Sushil Kumar and works closely with more than 20 other sports stars including Saina Nehwal, shooter Gagan Narang, Indian men’s hockey captain Sardar Singh, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, shooter Heena Sidhu, hockey stars Sandeep Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh, archer Deepika Kumari, India’s No. 1 squash player Sourav Ghoshal.
An established player in the sports marketing industry in India, IOS specializes in Marketing Consulting, Event Management, Film Branding, Talent Management, Sports Infrastructure, Rights Management, Outdoor Advertising and PR & Media.
About Suresh Raina
· He was the second youngest captain of the Indian Cricket team at the early age of 23 and the twelfth youngest player to captain aside the world cricket team.
· He was the twelfth Indian player to score test century on debut.
· He is the First Player to score 3000 runs in the IPL.
· He holds the record of most no.of catches 52 in the IPL.
· He was the second world and first Indian player to hit 100 sixes in the IPL.
· He is the first and only player to have scored over 400 runs in first IPL season.
· He is first and only Indian player to have scored century in IPL,CTL20 and T20I.
· He was the third batsman in the world to hit a T 20 Century
· He had a highest strike rate in the IPL history.
· He was the highest run scorer in the CLT20 on Oct 4, 2014.
· He is the 12th Indian player to play 200 ODI's
· He is the 11th Indian to score 5000 runs or more
· He has never missed a single match for his team Chennai Super Kings