Suresh Raina joined the chorus of voices calling out the Indian fighting braves Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to participate Duleep Trophy 2024. It reflects the sentiments of cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay ManjrekarRaina believes that the domestic tournament would be an ideal platform for the duo to get used to the rigors of red-ball cricket ahead of the upcoming Test series. Bangladesh.
Suresh Raina sees it as a missed opportunity
With the first Test set to begin in Chennai on September 19, Raina emphasized the importance of game experience for Kohli and Rohit as they took a long break after the end of the match. Indian Premier League. He suggested that Duleep Trophy matches can provide invaluable experience in adapting to the nuances of four-day cricket, particularly the challenges of batting on Day 4.
“Yes they should have played, you see we haven’t played red ball cricket since the IPL ended. As we head into an important Test series, we need to play 4-day cricket and get used to how the wicketkeeper behaves on Day 4. I think they matured enough when they regrouped and started training in 4-5 days. . Sometimes family time is also important” Raina commented to Sports Tak.
Balancing family time and cricket commitments
While acknowledging the importance of preparation for the match, Raina also said that he understands the need for personal time for the players. He noted that spending quality time with family can be crucial to mental well-being, especially after a busy season.
Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar, Duleep Trophy’s Rohit Sharma questions Virat Kohli’s absence
Challenges of the Second Test
Looking ahead to the second Test, which is scheduled to be played in Kanpur from September 27, Raina highlighted the potential challenges the Indian team could face. He predicted that the pitch in Kanpur would be less suitable for bowling because of the dew factor and its proximity to the Ganges. In addition, gloomy weather conditions can cause problems for batters.
“But when they play in Kanpur in October, the wicket will be tight and won’t rotate much because of the dew factor. The place is near the river Ganga and hence there will be cold mornings. The weather will be gloomy, so they will have to cope with that, but the Indian team is very strong. However, we cannot take Bangladesh lightly as they recently defeated Pakistan in the first test in Rawalpindi. Hopefully, we’ll get some good cricket to watch.” Raina added.
A stern warning against underestimating Bangladesh
Raina has warned the Indian team not to overlook Bangladesh, who recently cruised to a 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in their first Test. He emphasized the importance of treating the opposition with respect and treating the serials extremely seriously.
Despite the challenges, Raina expressed optimism about the upcoming India-Bangladesh Test series. He expected a high-quality contest that would provide cricket fans with a lot to cheer about.
