Suresh Raina, hailed as one of India’s finest fielders, has carved out a memorable legacy in Indian cricket. With victories in the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, Raina’s contributions were instrumental in raising the stature of Indian cricket. After making his debut for India in an ODI match against Sri Lanka on July 30, 2005, Raina announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket in August 2020. He ultimately bowed out from all forms of cricket in September 2022.
Speaking to JioCinema recently, the 36-year-old cricket icon reminisced about his international debut. In a moment that stands out in his memory, Raina recalled receiving his India cap from none other than Rahul Dravid. Raina also shared a humorous anecdote from his early days in the Indian cricket team.
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Suresh Raina narrated a leg-pulling incident
“I got my India cap in 2005 from Rahul Bhai,” he said. His joy at receiving the cap from his idol Dravid was evidently tempered with nervousness, as he was asked to give a speech in front of a star-studded lineup. The presence of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, MS Dhoni, and Irfan Pathan might have been enough to make any rookie cricketer apprehensive.
Raina continued his narrative: “I had to give a speech in front of Paaji, Viru Paa, Dada, VVS Laxman, Zaheer Bhai, Ashu Bhai, Anil Bhai, Yuvi Paa, Bhajju Paa, MS Dhoni had recently joined the team and Irfan Pathan. So, I started the usual spiel but was stopped midway and asked to name my favourite player.”
Raina confessed that his idol was Dravid, leading to some friendly ribbing from Yuvraj Singh. “I said I idolize Rahul sir a lot so Yuvi got on to me immediately and pulled my leg saying “The world’s best batsman and God of Cricket is sitting here, how is he not your favourite?”
This humorous incident, Raina explained, broke the ice and helped him feel more at ease among the veteran cricketers. “I clarified that Sachin Paaji was also one of the favourites but I had posters of Dravid on my wall. It was a very friendly banter and broke the ice for me,” he added.
These anecdotes reflect not only Raina’s admiration for Dravid but also the camaraderie and banter that can lighten up even the most pressure-filled moments in a cricketer’s career. As he moves away from professional cricket, Raina’s experiences and stories will continue to inspire and entertain fans of the sport.
