He said IPL performance doesn't count when you play for India.
Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina said that he is looking forward to seeing how the Team players perform in the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, starting on June 9.
Team India will begin its preparations for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 with a home series against South Africa, and Raina believes that uncapped players like Arashdeep Singh and Umran Malik will need to perform well on the international stage.
Raina told Star Sports: “It is extremely important because you will get to see all the players who performed in the IPL. But how they perform for India will matter. The mindset is important if you have to play for India.”
He is also excited to see how KL Rahul leads the Indian team in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Rahul has been named India's captain, as the regular captain, Rohit Sharma, rested for the home series.
Raina signed off by saying, “When the matches happen, it will be extremely hot, the matches will be played in June. There are a lot of things to look for. Umran Malik, who is a talented bowler, Arshdeep, the way he has bowled, and KL Rahul as a captain. He has impressed a lot but it is now the turn of the Indian team, I feel he will do very well.”