Suresh Raina made a grand comeback into the Indian T20I team, winning the Man of the Match in the final and deciding T20I match at Cape Town. Raina scored a quick fire 43 in just 27 balls, hitting the first ball he faced for a six, and then rolled his arm over, picking up a wicket.
Raina was out of the Indian team for more than a year, but now is confident of making it back into the Indian ODI team as well.
He said in the post match conference, “Just a matter of a couple of games there, I can assure you that I am going to be there very soon. I worked really hard for two years. Each and every session, I was doing in the gym, on the field, I was just (thinking) when I am going to play for India again. I think God helped. Thanks to my wife, my kid to make me believe I can go there and wear the jersey again. That's what I think the Indian team does. When you make a lot of sacrifices in your life and at the same time you enjoy your game, (it works out). I worked really hard on my game and my mental toughness."
"It is very important for me. From here we play in Sri Lanka and then we have IPL also coming up. And I was part of the World Cup before. I won the WC in 2011 and played first World Cup that I played, I've got the trophy in my house, that's an unbelievable feeling. Coming back to one-day spot, I think I've done well at No. 5," Raina continued.
Raina credited Virat Kohli for instilling confidence in him and giving him license to go after the bowling at no.3.
Raina explained, "First of all congrats to India for the way we played in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. We showed what we can achieve as a team in South Africa. The confidence in the dressing room gave us the license to enjoy ourself on the ground and express ourselves. That's why we won this game so beautifully. The way we bowled in the (first) six overs - Bhuvi, Bumrah, Pandya... I think T20 cricket is all about how you put your attitude on the field, and that showed today."
“I think when India wins, everything looks nice. The way Virat led the team in the last two months, I think it showed he cares for each and every person. Batting at 3, he was brilliant in 20-20, and gave me the license to go after all the bowlers. I think that showed faith in me. At the same time, I enjoyed batting with Shikhar (Dhawan). He made me more comfortable, and he was telling me 'just look to enjoy yourself, look to express (yourself)', that's what we've done in the first six overs," Raina concluded.
