Suresh Raina made his Test debut for Indian cricket team against Sri Lanka in 2010.
Former India batsman Suresh Raina made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2010. He made it a memorable debut scoring a hundred as India piled up 707 runs.
Recalling the debut match, Raina revealed that Yuvraj Singh had fallen sick before the match and he told him to be ready to play. Yuvraj called Raina and said he might have a stomach bug that may not allow him to take the field.
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Speaking on '22 Yarns with Gaurav Kapur' podcast, Raina said, "Just before my Test debut, he (Yuvraj Singh) called me in the night around 12:30 or 1 clock at night. He said 'Suresh, I am not able to sleep, I think I may have a stomach bug or something. You should be ready.'
"Generally, no one says like this, they usually think we will see how things go in the morning. He was so generous and kind to me to tell me that I should be ready.
"I could not sleep the entire night - thinking I might make my debut the next day, how will I go about it. It has not been discussed in the team meeting. I am not prepared. I don't even know if I will make debut or not," he added.
Sri Lanka had won the toss and they decided to bat first. They posted a total of 642/4 before declaring their innings. Tharanga Paranavitana and Mahela Jayawardene scored hundreds, while skipper Kumar Sangakkara smashed a double hundred.
"Luckily, we lost the toss and were asked to field. We had to field for full two days with Sangakkara and Jayawardene scoring big. Then, after drinking a few coconut waters, I went on to bat," he further said.
India replied to Sri Lanka's huge total in the first innings with a score of 707 runs. Raina scored 120 runs and Sachin Tendulkar was the top scorer with 203 runs. The southpaw said Yuvraj had hugged him after the knock.
"After I scored a hundred, Yuvi paa came up to me and he hugged me. 'This is you, well done, I am so happy for you,' he said to me.
"It was such a good environment at that time. Senior players, taking care of me, looking after me like a younger brother. Looking after you if there is a controversy, they would protect you from the media. They would look after you mentally and give you space where you can perform and express yourself," Raina signed off
(Credits: '22 Yarns with Gaurav Kapur' podcast)