After ODI snub, Suresh Raina eyes grand comeback in T20

After being dropped from the ODI side, Suresh Raina is keen to make an impact in the Twenty20 series in Australia. The 29-year-old played a captain’s knock, an unbeaten 37-ball on a difficult wicket to lead Uttar Pradesh to their maiden title triumph in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament here on Wednesday.

Raina had got out in the twenties in the previous five matches and practiced for a good two hours prior to the final to get a good knock behind him before leaving for Australia on Friday.

“I was getting out between scores of 20 and 28. I worked hard and thought something will happen. The title win and this knock will do a lot of good to my confidence. I have played T20 matches throughout season. Now I will get to practice two more days in Australia with the team. I am looking forward to it,” said Raina who will feature in the three-match series against Australia starting from January 26.

Raina said after having lost four ODI games in Australia, India would now have to win all three T20 games to get their confidence back ahead of the World Twenty20 in India.

“We have done well in Twenty20 matches. After having lost four ODI games in Australia it is important to win all the three T20 matches. We have to work hard on the batting line up. Winning all three matches will do our confidence good ahead of the three matches against Sri Lanka and T20 World Cup,” Raina said.

India are set to play Twenty20 matches in the Asia Cup also prior to the World premiere event.

Raina’s knock on Wednesday had just two boundaries and two sixes, unlike his aggressive style of batting.

The Ghaziabad born cricketer realised it wasn’t easy for new batsmen to hit big shots on the Wankhede wicket and instead focused on rotating the strike.