Best playing XI of the Duleep Trophy 2016

5. Suresh Raina – India Green:

Suresh Raina was India Green’s most successful batsman after opener Robin Uthappa. In the first game where the team folded for just 151 and 277, Raina was the only strong performer with the bat making 35 and 90 respectively.

His efforts weren’t enough to save the game for his side but all his international experience was on display with the way he batted with the lower middle order and the tailenders. In the rain-hit second game too, the southpaw made an entertaining 52 at no. 7 and helped his team post a functional total. Raina, in all, ended with 177 runs in two matches.

The team particularly did not have a great time. They lost their opening encounter with India Red and then rain messed up their opportunity to make it to the final after a rain-enforced draw. Raina, however, could not be blamed for it as the whole unit failed to back him up. Therefore, it won’t be correct to judge his captaincy based on these two games.