Suresh Raina backs team India to win final Test against South Africa

Veteran Indian cricketer Suresh Raina had been in the firing range of the cricket pundits for having underperformed in the ongoing domestic season. Raina answered his critics in fine fashion by clobbering a brilliant hundred in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match recently. Leading Uttar Pradesh in the competition, Raina smashed an unbeaten 126 off just 59 deliveries to help Uttar Pradesh trounce Bengal by 75 runs.

After his whirlwind knock, Suresh Raina spoke at length about his knock and his aspirations ahead. He remarked that it was wonderful to play in front of his idol, Sourav Ganguly. He further admitted that the track at the Eden Gardens was really good. Raina remarked that he had a very productive net session after having arrived at the venue and was happy that he was middling the ball well on the day.

“I am working hard. Seeing dada (Sourav Ganguly) here today, it’s good to see your idol sitting here supporting Bengal. He has done so much for CAB ( Cricket Association of Bengal). To have a legend like him around is great. I will make a comeback very soon. Really enjoying my batting and hopefully it will be very soon,” Suresh Raina quoted.

“The wicket (at the Eden Gardens) was very good. You have to make the most in the first six overs, that’s the basic of playing T20 cricket. When I came to Kolkata, I had a good net session with the coach. I was hitting the ball well today,” commented the veteran cricketer.

Feeling better

Speaking further on the same note, Suresh Raina oozed confidence about making a comeback to the national side soon. He recalled the times when he had failed the yo-yo tests and went back to hit his straps right all over again. Now that he has cleared the test, he feels fitter and better. He feels he has become more solid as a player now.

“I had a few niggles in my body. But thanks to NCA and BCCI they gave me ten days, I went there and I did pretty well. My attitude is still the same, sometime you need to groom yourself, in the last couple of months, I did not play for India but I became more matured. I became more solid,” Raina looked at he brighter side of things.

On India’s performance in South Africa thus far

Furthermore, Suresh Raina backed the Indian team which is having a troubled time in South Africa. They trail 0-2 in the 3-match Test series. Backing the Virat Kohli-led side, Raina urged the fans and critics to see at the positives. Earlier, MS Dhoni had also drawn silver linings for the Indian team. Raina remarked that the bowlers have been able to take 20 wickets and Virat and Hardik Pandya have got good scores under their belt. He hopes that the Indian team would win the final Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

”The way we played two Tests, you have to give credit to bowlers and Virat (Kohli). We got almost 40 wickets. We almost won in Cape Town. The team has been doing well. Last couple of tours, whenever we have gone there, we drew the Test series there, MS was captain, I was there too. Team quality is amazing. Look at (Hardik) Pandya he batted so well. Virat scored a brilliant hundred, Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) bowled a brilliant spell…so probably we will win next Test,” conceded Raina.

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