The skipper of Uttar Pradesh Ranji side Suresh Raina, who has been overlooked for the forthcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, has revealed that Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) players are enjoying a quality start to the training camp, after newly-appointed two trainers were hired from Amsterdam in a bid to improve the fitness of the cricketers.
“Very productive start of the camp at @UPCACricket,” Raina tweeted.
Following the disappointment of not being picked in the five-match ODI series and in a solitary T20 game, Raina is eyeing to give his best while working with his two fitness trainers, Hung Nguyen and Behrooz from Netherland.
The Muradnagar-born Raina stated the camp was in a jolly mood, as they are looking forward to working hard for the upcoming first-class Ranji season.
“Boys looked really enthusiastic and very keen to give their best. Way to go guys! #Ranji,” Raina’s tweet added, as he has also posted a photograph alongside both the professional trainers.
The 30-year-old Raina, who has struggled to find the form of late, was overlooked owing to the fitness issues before featuring in the Twenty20 Internationals against England, in February earlier this year.
“It is wonderful to be able to train with total intensity with the Dutch national team since I want to hit the ground running when the domestic season starts,” Raina maintained.
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Earlier, Raina has worked out with foreign trainers owing to the sophisticated drills in Netherland’s capital Amsterdam while undergoing a rigorous training session – to keep himself fit for the foreseeable fixtures; be it in the domestic cricket or a chance to represent India at the highest level.
“With the new season around the corner, I am determined, hungry and eager to play the highest form of the game for India,” Raina told PTI.
While expressing the satisfaction over his fitness, Raina believes hard work has to play a crucial role in the camp, as he is further determinant – to see his teammate giving their best while practising at their home-base in Kanpur.
Very productive start of the camp at @UPCACricket. Boys looked really enthusiastic and very keen to give their best. Way to go guys! #Ranji pic.twitter.com/0ftA6lqZnT
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) August 17, 2017
Raina also took to photo micro-blogging site Instagram, as he shared a photograph which included Rajiv Shukla, the two trainers and his wife Priyanka Chaudhary while enjoying the food.
After making his debut in 2005, Raina has featured in 223 ODIs, 65 T20Is and 18 Tests for India. He has scored 5,568 runs in 50-over format at the average of 35.46 and bagged 61 wickets across all three formats with his off-spin bowling.