Zaheer & Co will be hoping that the UP southpaw does not choose the Ranji Trophy final as the platform to post his desired big knock

Being a current international, Suresh Raina is expected to carry the Uttar Pradesh batting on his shoulders. But Raina hasn't had a memorable Ranji season as such this year, like the one last year where he scored 682 runs, including a double hundred and a ton. The 22-year-old has garnered 285 runs from seven innings at 40.71 apiece, without having a three-figure score to his name so far.

But that doesn't bother Raina too much.

Played well
"I have played two or three crucial knocks. Even in the quarter-final I hit a crucial 93," he said. "I haven't scored big knocks but it's not as if I have played badly. I have played well and have helped the team's cause.

That's important," Raina told MiD DAY after UP's rigorous three-hour training session on the eve of their Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai yesterday.

"And there is one more match remaining for me to get that big score, which has eluded me so far this season."
Zaheer Khan and Co will hope that the knock doesn't come in the final.

Though, it has to be given to Raina that overall he has done enough in the one-day internationals for India to be in the pool of the rookies who deserve a Test call-up.

Mere potential
His first break in international cricket was easy as he was picked on mere potential. But after he was dropped two years ago, making a comeback hasn't been easy. The period was made tougher by a career-threatening knee injury that occurred in a Deodhar Trophy tie in February 2007.

And, in the brutally competitive world of Indian cricket, an injury is the last thing on the wish list of any cricketer. For, on most occasions, injured players end up as forgotten entities.

"It was a very difficult time, to be honest," said Raina. "Thank god and my family, I have managed to come back. I was out of the game for almost one and a half years. I spoke to a couple of senior players like (Sachin) Tendulkar and (Rahul) Dravid who helped me. They told me not to hurry through the rehab and get fully fit.

Chandan Chawla, a physio from Delhi, helped me as well."

The most difficult part for an active sportsman is to lie idle and Raina went through the phase after the tedious knee surgery.

"I used to go and watch the nets in crutches as being out of action for six months, cricket sab bhool gaya tha," Raina said. "I used to go and stand behind the nets and watch kids play in Lucknow. I had to get the feel of the game back.

Tough periods also teach you a lot of lessons and Raina said he came out of it as more matured individual.
"I learnt a lot about life during those ups and down. But in hindsight, it has helped me," he said. "I am in a better shape mentally now.