Suresh Raina eyes opportunity to return in Team India
New Delhi : India middle-order batsman Suresh Raina, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury, said that he is looking for an opportunity to make a comeback in the Team India.
Raina was attending a function at SRM University on Thursday where he revealed his future plans and also spoke about his desires to make a comeback. In an exclusive chat with a leading news daily, Raina said that he expects to be playing cricket by November.
In the interview with The Hindu, Raina said that he believes he can play No 4 for India. "I can be the No. 4 for India. I have batted in that slot before and delivered. I am looking forward to an opportunity with two T20 World Cups coming up."
Talking about Rishabh Pant and his performance, he said that the young man looks a little confused over his responsibilities and fails to play his natural game.
“He appears confused, is not playing his natural game. He is looking for singles, blocking, and appears lost,” said Raina as he felt players should speak to him often as MS Dhoni used to, “Someone needs to talk to him as M.S. Dhoni would do to players. Cricket is a mental game and Pant has to be backed to play his attacking brand of cricket. Right now he seems to be playing under instructions and it is not working.”
He was also asked about Dhoni's retirement plans, to which he replied that the answer to this question is known only by one man and he is Dhoni himself.
Meanwhile, in the absence of Suresh Raina, Rinku Singh is leading Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.