For a very long period, Suresh Raina was the flag bearer of fitness and fielding in the Indian squad along with Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli.
But in the recent times, Suresh Raina has failed to keep up with those standards set by him. Raina, who got married in the year 2015 played his last international ODI in the same year as well and has been on the sidelines since then.
A lot has happened for Suresh Raina on the personal front with his wedding and his wife giving birth to their first child, Garcia, who according to him has been his biggest motivation to get back into the squad and regain his lost place in the team.
Raina has been very dedicated towards his fitness and has worked hard on building his physique and increase his stamina. Despite failing the ‘Yo-Yo’ endurance test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Raina is confident enough to make a comeback before the next World Cup in 2019 in England.
Raina still has a lot of cricket left in him and expressed his wish to play for the country in the mega event, where his daughter cheers for him when he scores a boundary. He also thanked his wife for staying by his side during his hard time away from the team. Raina said,
“Two years back, when I was training and all, and my wife was expecting, I was thinking that cricket is all right, but there is so much more to life. I should have fun with my wife. But when I saw my daughter, I thought the other way – cricket is everything.”
He believes that he should be more focused and serious to make it back to the team and he must make a comeback for his daughter. He added,
” I should be even more serious, so I can make sure her future is good. I told my wife, this is me; I love my daughter, I love you, I love my family, but I love to play for my country. I know I have four-five more years of cricket. She said she would support me whatever I decide.”