Published: Apr 25, 2016, 06:29 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 25, 2016, 06:29 PM (IST)
Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has been a complete team-man ever since he broke into the Indian cricket team. Be it under his state captain Mohammad Kaif, first Team India captain Rahul Dravid or the captain under whom he has played majority of his cricket, MS Dhoni, Raina has always been a learner and a go-to man for his captains.
A selfless cricketer, Raina has never worried about his batting position. All he has cared about how he could make a contribution in the match. Quick runs lower down the order, a crucial run-out / catch and a vital breakthrough with the ball, Raina has always looked to contribute to the team’s cause and has been a team-player who has served the Indian cricket selflessly.
Though he has lead his state team Uttar Pradesh and India in a handful of ODIs, leading the Gujarat Lions (GL) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) is his first full fledged captaincy assignment where he is building a team from scratch. Past some time, including the IPL captaincy coming to him, has been eventful for the southpaw. He was dropped from India’s ODI side late last year. It was hard for him, being dropped from the side. But how did he cope with it?
“I think I have improved a lot as a person after my marriage. I have become very calm and responsible. Next month I am also going to be a father. There comes a fresh breath of air in your life that teaches you many valuable lessons. My wife has been amazingly supportive through this new journey. She encourages me to spend more time with my (GL) team mates even if that means I don’t have enough time left for her. Her support and understanding has given me more opportunities to form a bond with this new team, understand my players and gel them together,” said Raina in an interview to BCCI.TV.
A modest person, Raina also shared his successful captaincy mantra. “I have played alongside many players in the IPL who have captained their countries. I have learnt a lot from the likes of Baz, Bravo, Fleming and MS Dhoni. At a very young age I played with Rahul (Dravid) bhai and Mohammad Kaif (his captain in the Uttar Pradesh team) and I gathered a lot from these men. Now that I have this opportunity to lead my own team, I am just trying to put together all that I learned from my various captains and do a good job of being one myself,” says Raina, who has lead his side to four wins in their first five matches so far.
