Suresh Raina injured in practice ahead of 3rd ODI against New Zealand

Indian middle-order batsman Suresh Raina has suffered an elbow injury in the nets ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand to be played on Saturday at Auckland.

Raina was hit on his left elbow by a Mohammad Shami delivery which is believed to have taken off from a good length.

The left-hander looked in deep pain and was seen applying the ice packs. The southpaw did not come back to the nets thereafter but revealed that the wicket was a bit wet which explains the in blow.

Although the team management has said that Raina was fine and will be fit to take the field against the Kiwis in the 3rd ODI tomorrow, Raina looked in visible discomfort.

The Indian batsmen in general and Suresh Raina in particular have struggled against the short pitched bowling on this tour. Should Raina be unavailable for tomorrow’s clash, it is expected that Ambati Rayudu will take his place in the middle order. Rayudu has been on the fringes for a long time and the 28-year old should be a straightforward swap for Raina if it comes down to that.