'I know my chance will come' says a confident Suresh Raina

Left handed batsman Suresh Raina has fallen out of favor of the national selectors in recent times. After his name was not included in the Indian squad for the limited over games against Sri Lanka, the Uttar Pradesh cricketer has gone back to the grueling domestic circuit to script his comeback into the national side.

Raina was always been known as an outstanding fielder and set standards with his fitness. However, his fitness has also been subjected recently and a lot of questions were raised as Raina failed to clear the yo-yo Test (according to reports) at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. With his eyes set on a national return, Raina spoke to the Indian Express about his comeback plans, social media activities and what the legendary Sachin Tendulkar taught him.

Speaking of the gym videos that Raina has been posting on social media platform Twitter, Raina said that he wants to keep the world updated about his routine and his hard work. He cited the example of Yuvraj Singh and mentioned that a comeback is never impossible. He also said that Sachin Tendulkar told him that he has nothing to prove and believe that his day will arrive.

On the gym videos:

“I just want to tell people that I am working hard and I am not the thanda type. I always believed in hard work. 60% is your hard work and 40% is your luck. Look at Yuvraj, he did the same, he worked very hard and came back. Sachin Tendulkar told me very nice thing other day, sab achha hai, you don’t need to prove anyone. You have done so much, you just need enjoy your cricket. I always made with high intensity. I know my chance will come.” said Raina.

Throwing some more light on what Sachin told him to do, Raina said that he used to spend 3 hours with Sachin every day and the little genius helped him to shape himself.

On the tips given by Sachin Tendulkar:

“I was feeling low in between, so I messaged him one day saying, ‘I want to come to Mumbai. Can you spend sometime with me?’ Despite his busy calendar he spared some time for me. I spent a few days with Sachin paaji, I practiced with him for three hours daily. He told me I am batting well, my feet are moving nicely. I’m looking more compact. I saw the videos, my head position is coming nicely.” added Raina.

“I remember the last time when I went to England, I had few sessions with Sachin paaji and I scored hundred in first game in England. Paaji is the most technically right cricketer and his words are always precious. I remember Ravi bhai (Ravi Shastri) coming to me in England and saying, ‘You are looking good, everything seems to be going well”.” he added.

Talking about his fitness goals and the reported failure of the yo-yo Test Raina said “It was all made up by media. If I had failed any test, I would have been told by the board and the trainer. It will be unfair for me to talk about it. For four to five months, I have really work hard on my fitness. I have lost more than five kilos. My flexibility has improved. You will have to see it on the field, or else you will say I am just talking.”

While Raina seemed a bit unclear about playing Test cricket, he was confident that his chance in the limited over formats will definitely come.

“I don’t know whether I will play Test cricket. I am only looking after my process. We have the Duleep Trophy now and a full season is left. The more I do well, things will clear thereafter. Hard work always pays. In 2007, I was injured and missed nearly more than one and half years of cricket. I still made a comeback, touch wood I am hopeful now too.” Raina stated.

“Selection is part and parcel of the game. 12 saal hogaye, 230 ODI hogaye. If I will have to make a comeback, I will. As I have always said, it’s important to work hard behind the scene. God will give you what you want.” he concluded.