Twitter Reactions: Suresh Raina recalled to Indian squad for T20I series against Proteas

The Indian team has recalled the services of dashing middle-order batsman Suresh Raina for the T20I leg against South Africa. The news was confirmed by BCCI earlier today. Raina, who last played a T20I for India against England in February 2017 has been out-of-favour since failing the Yo-Yo test, a now mandatory criterion for selection. The Uttar Pradesh star, however, cleared the test prior to the announcement of the squad for the preceding ODI series in South Africa.

The emphasis on fitness implies that the Yo-Yo test has become a mandatory fitness test required to be taken by each cricketer in order to be selected for the Indian side. It is a Test that gauges the player’s ability to run for extended periods of time and tests their endurance levels. A minimum benchmark of 16.1 has been set by the BCCI in order to be considered for national selection.

Since clearing the test, Raina has been in prime form in the shortest format. He was UP’s highest run-scorer, and sixth overall, in the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament with 314 runs, including two fifties and an unbeaten 126 against Bengal, at a strike-rate over 146.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan also returns to the 16-man squad after being rested for the previous T20I series, against Sri Lanka at home in December last year. Washington Sundar, Deepak Hooda, Basil Thampi and Mohammad Siraj are the players dropped, apart from Iyer, from that squad. Uncapped in T20Is, Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur too.

Virat Kohli, who was rested for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka at home, returns as captain. After losing the Test series 1-2 to South Africa on Saturday, India will next play a six-match ODI series against the hosts. The T20Is will be played in Johannesburg (February 18), Centurion (February 21) and Cape Town (February 24).

Nevertheless, the return of Suresh Raina was an extremely jubilant moment for all his fans as Twitter exploded congratulating him on being selected.

Here are some of the best Tweets

Whatta pleasure it is gonna be to see @ImRaina sporting the Blue again! ? #PrideOf18 #ChinnaThala #WhistlePodu #SummerIsComing ???

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 28, 2018

Very good domestic performances gets @ImRaina a comeback call for the SAF t20 series.
Much deserved. Congrats.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 28, 2018

He Fall
He Stood Up
He Fought
He was Determined
He Sweat
He Practiced
He Cleared Test
He Performed Well in Domestic
& AFTER 8 MONTHS OF HARDWORK?
RAINA IS BACK TO THE INDIAN TEAM TO DON THE BLUE JERSEY AGAIN ???@ImRaina Proved tht Hardwork Never Fails?#Proud??#Love❤ pic.twitter.com/C1NDR1RDWC

— RAINA's SAKSHI ❤❤❤ (@SakshiRMishra) January 28, 2018

Many congratulations, @ImRaina on returning to the India T20I side. Your hardwork has certainly paid off. We wish you all the best. May you have a fantastic series. #SAvIND @BCCI pic.twitter.com/IaF7QL0KL5

— 100MB (@100MasterBlastr) January 28, 2018

Suresh Raina in 2018:

CSK Comeback
CSK Vice Captain
Scored runs in domestic
Now back to India T20 Squad @ChennaiIPL #CinnaThala ??

— DHONIsm™ ♥ (@DHONIism) January 28, 2018

Suresh Raina having good time

Back to CSK!
Cleared Yo Yo Test!
Scored runs in domestic!
Now back to India T20 Squad!

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) January 28, 2018

Yes!!!. A Call to Indian Team isn't given. It's earned. Congratulations @ImRaina. #SAvInd https://t.co/KGr2zZxMCR

— Prabhu ? ‏ (@Cricprabhu) January 28, 2018

Suresh Raina and Chennai have some connection, he selected to CSK and immediately to India #IPLAuction

— Na Peru Surya (@Surya_Saragadam) January 28, 2018

Then : Mr IPL is back to Den!
Now : T-20 Specialist is back to Indian Team!
Welcome back @ImRaina ??#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/zhVCrMqlRU

— Prashant Pareek (@prashan235) January 28, 2018