It is the best time for Suresh Raina to score some runs in domestic cricket and get an India call-up. His inclusion in the side will not just be a boon for him but also for the Indian cricket team as he can be the answer to number 4 position, but the left-handed batsman is letting the chances slip from his hands.
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It was the third game of the Ranji season for the skipper of Uttar Pradesh, but he disappointed once again. Raina could just score 10 runs, before being bowled by a part-time spinner and Delhi’s vice-captain Milind Kumar. Raina came in when his side was 157/3 and in just a matter of 28 runs, he was back in the pavilion.
Looking at his performance in past two games, Raina has just been able to score 40 runs in four innings and adding this one as well, Raina’s score counts to 50 in 5 innings at an average of 10.
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With BCCI already cutting down the number of league games from eight to six, surely, Raina is letting the chances go from his hands. It’s just a matter of few good innings when he might find himself batting for India at number four position but he is not able to grab the chances.
It was last in February early this year when he last played for India. He was in contention for the Sri Lanka limited over series but a failure in clearing yo-yo test put him out of contention. He again appeared for yo-yo test after Duleep Trophy but could not clear it.
It’s a testing time for Raina regarding fitness and form and he has to get back his Midas touch to be back in the team.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh had posted a total of 270 on the board at the end of day’s play. For Delhi, Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini grabbed two wickets, while Manan Sharma, Kulwant Khejroliya, and Milind Kumar took a wicket apiece.
The host team will be looking to keep visitors under a score of 300.
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