MS Dhoni is the toughest bowler I have faced in nets: Suresh Raina

In the fourth and final part of his interview on Home of Heroes on JioCinema, Suresh Raina shares about his tryst with captaincy, anecdotes on Virat Kohli, why MS Dhoni is one of the toughest bowlers he’s faced, what led to his decision to retire, and finally his plans to star in a movie

You captained but for a limited time. Did you ever long for a prolonged period of captaincy?

I captained UP, Chennai, and several other teams also approached me, but Dhoni bhai would say don’t go elsewhere, I am the captain and you are the vice-captain. I said I don’t have aspirations to be captain, I just want to play and make my country win. If I get the opportunity, I will work hard at it, but I never harboured any such aspirations to be the captain. I always felt I was a team player and was happy to help out teammates or sort their problems.

I feel that being a captain, though, turns your friends into foes and foes into friends. When I was appointed captain for the West Indies series, I hadn’t slept for a few nights thinking about team selections. Several senior players made suggestions, but I told them I will select players as per how the wicket on the ground is. Sure, I will respect all players and even have discussions, but ultimately I am the captain of this team. I just wanted to make the country proud and win the trophy.

You played a lot with Virat Kohli. What are your memories of him?

Virat was clear about what he needed to do from the time his fitness transition began. I remember we had finished the 2007/08 Australia tour and were returning on the flight when he shared with me about his aspirations to be a superstar. He looked up to Yuvi Pa for his look, style, the habit of listening to Punjabi songs, etc. Another thing I feel is that Virat had his parent’s blessings. I never saw the work ethic he had in any youngster. His training method and self-belief were very different. He’d decide that he wanted to score a hundred and score it in the game the next day. He’d frequently score a hundred against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, and any other team that’d come because he ingrained it in his subconscious that he wanted to score a ton. He had a lot of belief and attitude to shoulder responsibility. He worked very hard and his coach, mother, sister, and brother would know the struggle. 

You fielded and bowled along with batting. Did you do this out of a feeling that you wanted to do whatever was possible for the team? 

I used to bowl and field since u14 days. I used to enjoy fielding and was always determined that I need to stop the ball at all costs, even if be by scraping my skin or falling on both hands. Even at home, I’d practice fielding by myself. There was a certain madness for it that I find hard to express in words. Growing up we’d watch Jonty Rhodes, Mark Waugh fielding at slip, Robin Singh and Ajay Jadeja, Kaif bhai, Yuvi Pa. I feel flexibility and agility are very important in fielding. We barely knew about gyms in childhood. My parents did yoga so I took after them and that made me very flexible and gave me a lot of benefit while fielding. My mindset always was determined to not let the ball go while fielding because it would give the team an added bonus.

You are the ultimate team man. Did you ever feel that maybe if you focused on one specific aspect instead, say batting, then you’d be given more presence in that area like batting at No. 3?  

The thought never occurred to me. And then again it was a packed batting order in my time. Moreover, the coach’s and captain’s decision is final. If it were my team, then I’d never leave the No. 3 slot. In the IPL, I made it clear that I would bat at No. 3 for Chennai Super Kings because I also knew I’d deliver on what was expected of me. It is a different scenario in Team India where there’s a lot of diversity among the players and their playing style so the captain knows where you are best suited then. 

Who was the toughest bowler you faced?

I think Muralitharan and Malinga, but in the nets, it was MS Dhoni. If he got you out in the nets then you’d not be able to sit with him for one and a half month because he’d keep gesturing and remind how he got you out. He’d bowl off-spin, medium pace, leg spin, everything. In the nets, he would even justify his front foot no-balls (laughs). Wherever he’d get a red cherry in a Test match he’d go for it. In England, he’d swing it full throttle.

How difficult was it to decide that you were done with the game and what made you decide that?

I played a lot for India and for whatever reason I wasn’t selected, my training was at such a peak that no one would be able to question it. When I didn’t play for India after that, I still worked hard thinking let me play for Dhoni bhai for how much he has won for us. Once he retired, I felt there wasn’t any reason or motivation left. When I was not playing for India, even the money from IPL didn’t motivate me. Once IPL would end, my mind would be on the Indian team’s tours for the next nine months. When that stopped, I stopped enjoying it. You get so used to playing for India and the pride that comes with it that once it stops you need to latch on to another motivation such as family. I didn’t spend much at home while growing up and by the time I retired my father passed away. So I want to ensure I spend maximum time with my children and enjoy the small joys of life with them so that when they grow up they have these memories.

How are you enjoying life after retirement?

I am very happy.

For a former cricketer as you, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to opportunities. Did you have to reject any opportunities because of different priorities?

I can play for another 2-3 years. There are so many leagues these days that I can choose which ones I want to play in. Back then when I’d get a call to play for, say, the UP team, I’d jump at it and say yes. But now there are so many leagues that I can take my pick and it is according to my children’s schedule. I love music, singing, cooking, and even have received offers for movies. I want to try everything in life and I believe that’s what everyone should do. When you can’t try what you love because of fear of home, society, or lack of money, take a shot at it because you get only one life and you need to live it freely and you’ll get a learning from it. 

If Suresh Raina didn’t play cricket then what he’d do?

The usual 9-5 job with a middle-class family story.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I’m doing a movie which should be out next year. At the moment we’re preparing for it. There’s a lot of planning for me to sing too. I’ve opened two restaurants in Delhi and one abroad. At the end of the day, I want good food on the table and a smile when I go to bed.