Suresh Raina is a Kashmiri pandit and his father hails from Rainawari in J&K.
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina is currently in quarantine in Dubai in preparation for the upcoming IPL 2020, where he will turn out for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In his second innings after international cricket, Raina is turning to give it back to the sport which has given him fame and fortune.
His hardcore fans know, but many may be unaware of the relation between Suresh Raina and Jammu and Kashmir. Raina is a Kashmiri Pandit and his father Trilok Chand hails from Rainawari in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, his mother is from Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.
Therefore in order to do something for his homeland, Raina has written to state DGP Dilbagh Singh seeking permission to promote cricket in Jammu and Kashmir and providing an opportunity to the underprivileged kids of the state to learn the game.
IPL 2020: WATCH- Suresh Raina sings self-composed “Quarantine Rap”
“I have etched a mark on the field of international cricket for 15 years, and thus I would like to make use of the knowledge and skills I learned over the years and pass it onto the next generation. My intention is to find out the talented youngsters from various parts of the state,” he wrote.
The J&K Ranji team made their debut in 1959-60, but have always been the minnow of Indian domestic cricket. However recently, under the captaincy of Parvez Rasool, the team has put up a valiant effort and in 2013-14 season they made it to the quarterfinals of Ranji Trophy.
In the next season, J&K earned their biggest victory as they defeated 42-time champions Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium. In the 2019-20 season, they once again made it to the knockouts of the Ranji Trophy.
Parvez Rasool became the first player to play for India in international cricket and first to be picked in the IPL as well. Currently, the state team is handled by former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan in a role as a mentor.
J&K's own Rasik Salim Dar and Abdul Samad have been part of IPL in recent times, with Dar playing a game for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2019.
Here is the letter by Suresh Raina to J&K officials: