As India prepares for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, former batsman Suresh Raina issued a timely warning to them. He was part of the Indian contingent that played in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in 2009.
While India had a disappointing campaign in that edition of the T20 World Cup, Suresh Raina made his mark by becoming the first Indian to score a T20I century. Having performed well in those conditions, the former cricketer has some valuable advice for the Indian players who will look to end the team’s long wait for an ICC trophy.
Raina has said that players should get used to the “drive-in pitches” and weather conditions as soon as possible to perform well in the T20 World Cup. The main event is scheduled to be played in the US and the Caribbean from June 1-29.
“The team is balanced. Rohit Sharma is the captain. Virat Kohli is in good form and Suryakumar Yadav is in good touch. There are two left-arm pacers, who can bowl in the powerplay. There are Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja,” Raina said while speaking at a Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh’s Chhattisgarh Premier League (CPL) event.
“However, the matches are played there at 10:00 in the morning. The grounds are also free. The team must get used to these grounds and these conditions as soon as possible,” he added.
Suresh Raina defends Hardik Pandya:
Speaking further, Suresh Raina jumped to the defense of Hardik Pandya who has faced severe criticism for his performance as captain and all-rounder in IPL 2024. Under his captaincy, Mumbai Indians finished at the bottom of the points table with just 4 wins . of 14 games. Pandya also failed to impress with bat and ball.
“He has done very well (for India). Temporarily bad form does not make someone bad. When he performs well against Pakistan in the World Cup, everyone will praise him.”
Meanwhile, Team India is placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Ireland, Canada and co-hosts the United States. The Men in Blue will begin their campaign on June 5 against Ireland.
India Team for T20 World Cup:
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh , Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. siraj
