Suresh Raina Names 3 Indian Youngsters Who Have Impressed Him

Former India batsman Suresh Raina has named three Indian youngsters who have impressed him very much so far. However, one big name, that of superstar wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, wasn’t in Suresh Raina’s list.

The Chennai Super Kings batsman picked openers Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad along with spinning all-rounder Axar Patel as the three players who he has been largely impressed with.

Padikkal and Gaikwad have shone brightly so far after both made their IPL debuts last season on the back of brilliant domestic numbers.

Axar Patel, on the other hand, had a superb start to his Test career in the home series against England, and, as Suresh Raina points out, the all-rounder was a perfect replacement for the injured Ravindra Jadeja for that series. Padikkal and Gaikwad have received their maiden India call-ups – both are with the side in Sri Lanka for the limited-overs matches, and Patel is in England with the Test squad.

“I think Devdutt Padikkal from Karnataka. After him, Ruturaj Gaikwad from Maharashtra. He is a gun player. Axar Patel has worked really hard, and he performed brilliantly well in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja,” Suresh Raina said in an interview with News24 Sports.

Pant has entered the senior category: Suresh Raina

The reason Suresh Raina didn’t mention Rishabh Pant as a youngster is because he now considers the 23-year-old in the senior category – Pant has completed four years in international cricket, and is now a crucial member of the side across formats having helped India win a few historic matches.

“See, he has entered the senior category. He’s grown. He is also hitting fours now and not only sixes,” the CSK player explained.

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