Suresh Raina hopes to revive form

After a two-month break that included intense training in Amsterdam, India batsman Suresh Raina is excited to play under coach Rahul Dravid in the forthoming three unofficial ODIs against Bangladesh A.

“It will be good practice and I can’t actually say practice because we have lost a series to Bangladesh. India A have done well in the last couple of series under Rahul Dravid who is our coach, I’m very excited to play under him,” said Raina.

The 28-year-old began preparations for the South Africa series playing club cricket and trained with the Dutch national team in Amsterdam last month.

“We need to play games, we haven’t played much after the Bangladesh series. For practice, I’ve played club cricket. It’s a big opportunity and I’m very positive and preparing for the big series,” said the Ghaziabad-born Raina.

The stylish left-hander is completely focusing on limited overs cricket. “(I am) Looking forward to playing the one-dayers and ready the first-class season ahead. It’s a good three quality international games. We need to go out there play really well and be disciplined,” he added.

Being one of the senior players in the squad led by Unmukt Chand, Raina is keen to take the field alongside the youngsters. “It’s all in the mind. It’s good that I’m playing here. There are youngsters who have done really well. Guys who have played for India like Kedar (Jadhav), Manish Pandey and Kuldeep (Yadav) are there.

“I can learn something from them and they can hopefully learn something from me,” added the Chennai Super Kings batsman.

Following the one-dayers, Raina who is also gearing up to turn out for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy, heaped praise on Dravid. “I worked really hard when he was captain. He was very very solid with the youngsters — especially me, Robin Uthappa, Irfan Pathan and lot of other others who came into the team. He gives you lot of confidence.”