Raina's century, off 59 balls, was the centrepiece of India's total of 186 for five in the first innings of their World Twenty20 Group C match against the Proteas at the Beausejour Stadium.
Only West Indies' Chris Gayle and New Zealand's Brendon McCullum had previously scored hundreds at this level.
Coverage: ICCT20 World Cup 2010
Twenty20 international century-makers (score, player, team, opposition, ground, date):
117 Chris Gayle WI v RSA, Johannesburg, Sep 11 2007
116 no Brendon McCullum NZ v AUS, Christchurch, Feb 28 2010
101 Suresh Raina IND v RSA, Gros Islet, May 02 2010
Text: Agencies
Images: AP