Raina's heroics inspire UP cricket

Published>Fri, Jul 30 10 05:17 AM

The heroics of UP cricketer Suresh Raina on his Test debut at the SCC grounds today have been highly inspiring for UP cricket. Both the cricket pundits as well as the cricketers from the state feel that it is a very positive sign for the state which has produced Team India players like Mohammad Kaif, RP Singh, Piyush Chawla and Praveen Kumar.

Talking to The Indian Express, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla said, " It's not an easy task to score a century in your Test debut and that too in a match-saving century when the pressure is on your team. I could not help myself but congratulate Raina for his wonderful innings. Judging by his efforts yesterday when he was 66 not out at stumps and the keenness with which he was playing, I had this feeling that he will be able to blast a ton today."

Piyush felt that Raina had been very lucky in getting a chance to bat with Sachin Tendulkar in his Test debut. He said that Raina's century would be a source of inspiration to the UP youngsters as he excelled in a difficult situation.

Ali Hamid Zaidi who is a friend of Raina and was also a part of the UP team which won its maiden Ranji title in 2006, said, "Before leaving for Sri Lanka, Raina had said that he did not know whether he will be getting a chance to play a Test match there or not but on his part, he will work hard and concentrate on his fitness in order to be available for the team whenever he gets an opportunity. I am happy that Raina's hard work has paid off. I think the loads of ODI experience and getting Sachin's support, all helped him in scoring the 120 precious runs for the team."

Promising UP cricketer Tanmay Srivastava said Raina's innings "were a great start to a Test career. As a cricketer who is much junior to him, I have learnt how to make full use of your talent when you get the opportunity from his performance in Colombo."

Renowned cricketer Ashish Winston Zaidi who is the UP Ranji team manager said that Raina has proved that he is not only good in one-day cricket but also in Tests. "The milestone that Raina has achieved today by becoming the 12th Indian to score a century on Test debut is a big achievement for UP cricket and will be source of inspiration for the youngsters in the UP Ranji team."

Former Ranji player Ashok Bambi who is UP Ranji team selector said, "Raina got a good opportunity on a placid wicket. From the confidence which Raina displayed all through his innings, one could not believe that it was his first Test match. It is a big day for UP as well as Indian cricket."Raina's coach Deepak Sharma said he kept telling his trainees at Sports College, Lucknow throughout the day about the way Raina handled things at Sri Lanka so that they could gain from Raina's efforts.

Jubilation at homeThere was an atmosphere of jubilation at Raina's home in Ghaziabad. His elder brother Dinesh, who is a teacher said, "We are happy he got a chance to play with his 'role model' Sachin Tendulkar in his debut match.."

Source: Web Search