The Wisden Almanac placed Suresh Raina in the list of the top 10 players who will ‘define’ cricket in the next decade.The writer also said he had the ability to become the next Sachin.
Man-of-the-series at the just-concluded Challenger Trophy, Suresh Raina says he has regained his fitness fully
AHMEDABAD: The Wisden Almanac placed Suresh Raina in the list of the top ten players who will ‘define’ cricket in the next decade.
The writer also mentioned that he had the ability to become the left-handed Sachin Tendulkar, with even more intuitive flair.
That judgment came from Raina’s clean hitting against England during an ODI in Faridabad in 2006.
The left-handed batsman, coming back from injury, was again at his best during the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy, where he scored three half-centuries in three matches, which saw his team-India Blue- win the title.
He was off to a flying start, dismantling the bowlers from the first match, in which he scored 92, followed by 64 and 50-all coming at better than a run a ball.
Raina, who bagged the man of the series award, is satisfied with his tournament, in which he scored 216 runs overall.
“I got the man of the series award and I am happy with my performances in the series. I have batted with a positive approach and am feeling really good at the moment. I hope to continue in the same manner in the forthcoming Ranji Trophy matches as well. Our coach Praveen Amre and Viru bhai have supported me throughout the tourney,” he told DNA on Monday.
The 20-year old said that he enjoyed batting under pressure. “The runs I have scored will certainly boost my confidence. I believe I batted well under pressure and I expected this kind performance from myself,” he said.
Raina feels that it is not far from finding a place back in the Indian side, and says if he gets in he will do his best.
“The selectors were there for the Challenger Trophy and they were happy with my performances. If I will get a chance again I will give my 100 per cent,” Raina said.
The Ghaziabad lad was dropped after some disappointing performances in ODI series against South Africa and then a knee injury had hampered his fitness, but Raina feels that taught him many lessons.
“I recovered from injury long back and I was working on my fitness. I worked on many of areas including feet movement and I have come back well after injury,” he said.
Talking about his teammate Praveen Kumar’s inclusion in the Indian squad for the first two matches against Pakistan, Raina said, “It feels good that so many youngsters are coming from Uttar Pradesh. There are many talented youngsters in the works as well. Praveen is a talented player and I wish him all the best for the future.”
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