On the last three days of the camp, Raina spent time facing the bowling machine and also was quick to seek advice from Sachin Tendulkar.
By noon the bags were packed and the personnel ready to leave. The four-day preparatory camp ahead of a gruelling season drew to a close. Since Thursday, the 15-member squad bonded, had their fitness assessed, trained, executed fielding drills and spent a good part of the last three days at the nets.
For most of them, there won’t be a breather from here on. While the players were training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) grounds, the centre wickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium were been readied for the Corporate Trophy that begins from Tuesday.
This will be immediately followed by the team being involved in the tri-series in Sri Lanka, that includes New Zealand and the Champions Trophy in South Africa.
During the Corporate Trophy, the focus will be on Rahul Dravid, who is making a return to the ODI squad after a prolonged period. What seemingly triggered his return was the inability of the younger batsmen to deal with the rising ball during the World Twenty20.
Suresh Raina will be closely watched after his misadventures against the bouncer in England. For Raina, the next month presents the opportunity to consolidate his place in the side. The imminent return of Virender Sehwag towards the latter half of the year should only heighten the competition for places.
On the last three days of the camp, Raina spent time facing the bowling machine and also was quick to seek advice from Sachin Tendulkar on dealing with the short stuff.
Raina has seen it all in his short career.
He was dropped after a run of scores without a half-century. He suffered a career-threatening knee injury. He didn’t play for India for 18 months from early 2007 till June 2008, but early in his comeback struck 101, 84 and 116* against Hong Kong, Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively.
Over the past year, Raina has held his own. A thumb injury forced him to miss the one-day series against the West Indies after the lacklustre showing in England. On the eve of the camp he was asked about his ability to play the rising ball. “If there are any doubts about me handling the short ball, you will get your answer soon,” Raina had stated.
With Dravid back in the one-day side, Raina who batted at No.3 on three occasions in the past nine ODIs will have to play in the lower middle-order. Finishing the game for the team or ensuring that India make runs in a jiffy would be his role over the next month.
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