After his marriage to Priyanka in April 2015, Suresh Raina's stocks have gone down considerably; Over the last 21 months, he has lost his place in the ODI team and is now considered good enough only for T20s
Middle-order batsman Suresh Raina (in front) during Team India’s practice session at Green Park, Kanpur yesterday. Pic/PTI
Kanpur: Marriage may have brought good luck to Yuvraj Singh, having scored a stunning comeback century against England just the other day, but it has not been the case with Suresh Raina. After his marriage to Priyanka in April 2015, the southpaw’s stocks have gone down considerably. Over the last 21 months, he has lost his place in the ODI team and is now considered good enough only for T20s.
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Raina was an integral part of the Indian team during the 2015 World Cup in Australia. He was a key figure in MS Dhoni’s scheme of things. But gradually he has lost his ODI place and with the emergence of young talent like Kedar Jadhav, KL Rahul and Karun Nair, it seems very difficult that he will be able to regain his place when India go to England in June to defend their Champions Trophy crown.
Poor form andâÂÂÂu00c2u0080ÂÂÂu00c2u0088bad luck
Besides poor form, bad luck has also put Raina back a long way. He was included in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand in November last year, but fell ill during Uttar Pradesh’s opening Ranji Trophy match. In his absence Jadhav made the most of the opportunity and has now cemented his place in the team. Take the case of regular Test ’keeper Wriddhiman Saha. When he got injured during Test series against England, his replacement Parthiv Patel too did the same.
New beginning
It is the same situation for Raina. He has to make a new beginning with the first T20 International against England at Green Park in Kanpur tomorrow. He has got limited opportunities to impress the selectors, as he bats lower down the order and there are just three T20Is, before India play in the Champions Trophy. Of course, in between there will be the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy and the IPL to stake a claim for a place in the Indian team. But it is a long shot for him to resurrect his career with the white ball.
Despite setbacks, Raina remains positive. “I have been batting well in domestic cricket. I got two 90s on my return to Ranji Trophy. Now I am focused on doing well and regaining my spot in the ODI team. I remain positive and hopeful all the time,” he said.
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