Yesterday, BCCI announced the list of contracted players for the year 2016/17 and the biggest name that was absent from the list was Suresh Raina. The man, who was the part Grade B last year but this year he didn’t even get a Grade C contract.
He though hasn’t played an ODI from past one and a half year but Raina was the part of Indian team during the T20I series against England where he scored 104 runs in three games. A player of his stature was expected to get a contract even though he is now a one format player. There has to be some big reason behind his snub and it is only Raina who is responsible for this downfall as since being dropped from the team, Raina isn’t paying attention towards the game and is now a reluctant cricketer as per coach of Uttar Pradesh, state which Raina plays for,
“His priorities have changed after he became a family man. I have noticed that he has not been concentrating on his game. He has become a reluctant cricketer. He just played three Ranji matches for UP this season and didn’t turn out for Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare tournaments,” UP’s coach told Mid-day.
Raina was the skipper of Uttar Pradesh in Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and also the Central Zone in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but he skipped major part of domestic cricket and played only three Ranji games last year. He hand picked the tournament he wanted to play and a result, he had to pay the result as BCCI took a notice of it.
“With so many youngsters on the horizon, his chances of a comeback into Indian Test or ODI teams are bleak. He can still eye the T20s, but it will depend a lot on his IPL form where he will lead Gujarat Lions again,” the coach added.
Well, the words of UP’s coach carry great meaning as it will be a tough road ahead for Raina ahead as Indian team has now oodles of options in the bag in each format of the game, which might become a headache for the skipper of Gujarat Lions.
IPL is the only tournament left where he can produce something out of the box or else he has to wait for next at least six months before the start of next season of domestic cricket.