Raina’s inclusion in Test side was overdue,says coach

Seasoned cricket coach Deepak Sharma who taught the finer points of the game to Team India player Suresh Raina is an elated man. He is happy that after a long wait of 98 ODIs,Raina finally got an opportunity to play in Test cricket. He is impressed with his trainee’s performance in his Test debut although he minces no words in saying that Raina’s inclusion in the Test side was “overdue”.

Talking to The Indian Express,Sharma said,“With his unbeaten 66 against Sri Lanka today,Raina has proved that he is a complete cricketer having talent in all formats of the game. Be it Twenty20,ODIs or Tests,he has the capability to excel in demanding occasions. He is very lucky to have got a chance to bat with the greatest cricketer of the present age master blaster Sachin Tendulkar on his Test debut match as this is any batsman’s dream.”

“The way the partnership between Sachin and Raina is building,I am optimistic that they will be able to avoid the follow-on. It would be really great if following Sachin’s heroics,Raina too blasts a ton tomorrow.”

Story continues below this ad

Deepak said that Raina has matured as a cricketer and this was visible from the “controlled aggression” and confidence which he exhibited in batting when the team was under pressure at the SSC ground today.

“He judged every ball well and the way he played to a talented bowler like Mendis just shows his class. He waited patiently for the loose balls and then went for the shots against the Lankans. He also ensured that the singles kept coming in. If all this comes from a player on his debut match,then it is really commendable,” he explained.