Suresh Raina Says he Deserved More Opportunities to Prove Test Calibre

Raina has had a topsy-turvy career in Test matches

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Suresh Raina is upset that he will not be on the flight to Colombo as India and Sri Lanka get set for a three-Test series starting in Galle on August 12. A man who scored a century on debut in 2010, has had a sketchy Test career and Raina is not happy about it. (Raina Quits Dhoni’s Sports Management Company)

Raina has been upstaged by the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma and it is unlikely the UP left-hander will get a Test break any time soon. In an interview to Hindustan Times, Raina said: “I have not been given enough chances to prove my calibre as a Test cricketer.

“You can’t judge a player on the basis of just one match after a hectic series of one-day and T20 games. I am not asking for five Test matches to prove myself. Give me two-three games. And if I don’t perform, drop me forever.”

At a time when India is blessed with plenty of talent, Raina will have to wait for the middle order to fail consistently and then get the selectors nod. Anything can happen in cricket though.

Raina’s 18-Test career has been topsy-turvy. He has made three comebacks after his initial Test run lasted eight matches. But every time he has failed to justify his selection.

Although he was seen as MS Dhoni’s blue-eyed boy, the captain failed to back him because Raina had no runs to show in Test cricket. This week, Raina parted ways with a sports management company that is partnered by Dhoni.

Raina was picked for the two-Test series in New Zealand in 2012 but made just 58 runs. His last Test comeback was the most disastrous. He bagged a pair in Sydney earlier this year.

“It’s true that I didn’t do well in three innings in Test cricket in 2012. It was the same story in 2015, but that doesn’t mean I am not experienced enough to be in the Test side,” Raina said.

The selection committee, headed by Sandeep Patil, is surely not banking on experience. For them, form and experience are crucial. The selection of Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra prove it. Raina was not even picked in the India A team, full of Test hopefuls.

“I am sure I have the ability to be a consistent performer at Test level, but it’s just a matter of getting the chance to do so,” Raina said. The big question is when will that opportunity come again?