Rohit Sharma Backs Suresh Raina To Make A Return To The Indian Team
Published - 13 May 2020, 12:45 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:28 AM
It is during the current period of isolation that we have witnessed several cricketers engage in live one-on-one chat with each other. The likes of David Warner, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ab de Villiers, KL Rahul, and Mayank Agarwal have all involved in these, discussing various cricket related topics. In one of such latest openings, Rohit Sharma and out of favour batsman Suresh Raina indulged in an Instagram live session, speaking on wide-ranging issues about the sport.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina Pick Combined Mumbai Indians-Chennai Super Kings XI
Recently, Suresh Raina lashed out at the former chief of selectors, MSK Prasad, claiming that he didn’t communicate to him before discarding him. Irfan Pathan, who retired from international cricket, earlier this year, agreed with him too. In the wake of this, India’s limited-overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma supported Raina and backed him to make a return.
Rohit Sharma, who himself spent several years out of the team, empathised with the white-ball specialist. The opening batsman admitted that Raina has a vast amount of experience in all the facets and his longevity explains that he should be playing for the Indian team.
“I know it is very tough to be out of the team after playing for so many years. We used to talk that we should have Raina in the team in some way. You have the experience and ability with bowling and fielding. I feel that we have seen you play for such a long time, somewhere I feel that somehow or the other you should be back in the team. But then we will see, we make do with what we have in our hands.” Rohit Sharma said
Suresh Raina’s career in brief:
The 33-year old has featured in 226 ODIs and 18 Tests thus far. An athletic fielder and a more than handy off-spinner, Raina was part of the Indian squad that lifted the World Cup in 2011 on their home soil. In 226 fixtures, the Uttar Pradesh-born has amassed 5615 runs at 35.31 with a strike rate of 93.51.
The southpaw continues to feature in the Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings. He has been central to their success and played a crucial role in the yellow army winning three titles. Raina is also amongst the top run-getters in the history of the tournament with 5368 runs in 193 games.