Suresh Raina echoes call for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to play Duleep Trophy

Suresh Raina has joined the chorus of voices calling for Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to participate in the Duleep Trophy 2024. Echoing the sentiments of cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar, Raina believes that the domestic tournament would have been an ideal platform for the duo to reacclimate to the rigors of red-ball cricket ahead of the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

Suresh Raina terms it as a missed opportunity

With the first Test set to commence on September 19 in Chennai, Raina emphasized the importance of match practice for Kohli and Rohit, given their extended break since the conclusion of the Indian Premier League. He suggested that the Duleep Trophy matches could have provided invaluable experience in adapting to the nuances of four-day cricket, particularly the challenges of batting on Day 4.

“Yes, they should’ve played, you see we haven’t played red-ball cricket ever since the IPL ended. Since, we’re heading towards a crucial Test series, one must play 4 day cricket and get used to how the wicket will behave on Day 4. I think they’re matured enough when they will regroup for 4-5 days and start practising. Sometimes, family-time is also important,” Raina commented on Sports Tak.

Balancing family time and cricketing commitments

While acknowledging the importance of match preparation, Raina also expressed understanding for the players’ need for personal time. He noted that spending quality time with family can be crucial for mental well-being, especially after a demanding season.

Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar questions the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli from Duleep Trophy

The challenges of the second Test

Looking ahead to the second Test, which is scheduled to take place in Kanpur from September 27, Raina highlighted the potential difficulties that the Indian team may face. He predicted that the pitch in Kanpur would be less conducive to spin bowling due to the dew factor and the proximity to the Ganges River. Additionally, the gloomy weather conditions could pose a challenge for the batters.

“But when they will play in Kanpur where the wicket will solid in October and won’t spin much as there will be dew factor. The ground is near river Ganga and hence there will be cold mornings. The weather will be gloomy hence they will need to tackle that but the Indian team is very strong. However, we can’t take Bangladesh lightly as they’ve recently beaten Pakistan in the first Test in Rawalpindi. Hopefully, we will get some good cricket to watch,” Raina added.

A stern warning against underestimating Bangladesh

Raina cautioned the Indian team against overlooking Bangladesh, who recently achieved a remarkable 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in their first Test. He emphasized the importance of respecting the opposition and approaching the series with the utmost seriousness.

Despite the challenges, Raina expressed optimism about the upcoming India-Bangladesh Test series. He anticipated a high-quality contest that would provide cricket fans with plenty to cheer about.

Also READ: Duleep Trophy 2024-25: Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Umran Malik out of first round; BCCI announces revised squads

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