Suresh Raina: I like to infuse positive vibes among the team
Indian batsman Suresh Raina has said that he likes to be positive and spread this positivity across the Indian team. Raina has been training in England ahead of the ODI series and hopes to make an impact as he gets his chance on the tour for the first time. He was not included in the team for the Test series and has a point to prove.
Practicing hard
The Uttar Pradesh batsman has been a livewire on the field for India and he tries to make sure that his energy filters through to others. He is among the best fielders in the world and does not hold back on the field. He has been targetted with the short ball at times, but he has shown some improvement in recent times.
In an interview to BCCI.tv, he said: “I practiced in Delhi, Noida on a turf wicket and played a few matches in rainy conditions. I went to the Lucknow sports college where I stayed in the boarding school as a kid and practiced there a lot. For the last 10 days or so, I was in Mumbai working at the BKC [Bandra Kurla Complex] indoor facilities. I feel good going into this series and having done well here before there is a level of confidence as well.”
He has picked up some tips from Sachin Tendulkar as well.
He added, “He came there to play badminton and since Arjun practiced in the nets there, Sachin paaji came to give him some tips. I went up to him and asked how should one go about things in England. I had a lot of conversations with him mainly on the mental side of things. I also worked with [Pravin] Amre sir there at the BKC on various aspects of my batting.”
Tough times for India
He admitted that team India are in the middle of a tough phase.
“The team is going through a difficult phase right now and it is time for us to show character. It can be difficult sometimes to move on from such defeat but you have to fight your way out of it when you're playing at the international level. The new players will bring freshness in the squad which will help the guys who have been here for the Tests regain the positivity. They are striving to learn from their mistakes and we will add fresh spirit,” he added.
"I always try to maintain the cheerfulness in the team, on and off the field. I am the first person to run to the bowler or fielder when a wicket falls. Small things like running to the bowler at fine leg or third man to fetch his sweater can make a huge difference in the teams atmosphere. It is contagious when one player starts doing it, another follows, and before you know the whole team is pumping with energy and high spirits. This energy takes time to build sometimes four overs, at times 10 overs.”