Suresh Raina had played a critical role in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph. The southpaw scored an unbeaten 34 and 36 against Australia and Pakistan in the quarterfinal and semi-final respectively, helping his side reach the summit clash.
In his recent column, Raina recalled the quarterfinal, where batting great Sachin Tendulkar’s inspiring words instilled confidence in him.
It was Raina’s second game in the marquee event, having replaced the out of form Yusuf Pathan. In that all-important clash, the left-hander stitched a crucial 74-run partnership with Yuvraj Singh when the hosts lost half their side in the 38th over while chasing 261.
"On a personal level, any World Cup match between India and Australia brings back memories of the quarter-final in 2011, a game full of pressure. Australia were the holders and the favourites to win it again," Raina said in his column, as quoted by ICC.
"We were chasing 261 and when [MS] Dhoni was out, I joined Yuvraj Singh at 187 for five. We had to dig in, we had to take responsibility and play the ball, not the occasion and that's what me and Yuvi did. In a quarter-final against the reigning champions, you need to bring your a-game and we delivered."
"I remember the stadium being full of fans shouting and screaming and before I went in to bat, I was sitting with Sachin [Tendulkar]. He told me to go out there, take the chase deep, stay calm and breathe. He told me I could do it and I had already played 100 ODIs by that time, so I knew how to play those crucial knocks. I was very calm and composed and I thought 'Let's do it for India'," he added.
Raina also talked about India’s chances in the ongoing World Cup at home. The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against five-time champions Australia at Chepauk on Sunday (October 8).
"I am writing this from Delhi and the whole country is excited ahead of India's first game against Australia on Sunday. When India are playing at home, we know how much expectation there is but the team must try and play the situation. We won the World Cup here in 2011, Australia won in Australia in 2015 and England won on home soil four years ago. There is a very good opportunity here for India to win the World Cup in front of their own fans and I am confident they can do it," he said.
Rohit Sharma and his men are entering the World Cup on the back of the Asia Cup 2023 triumph and a 2-1 ODI series win over Australia at home. No wonder, Suresh Raina has high hopes from the team.
"I have that confidence for several reasons. We have a very good bowling line-up who know how to bowl in the conditions. Ravi Ashwin, who was part of our winning squad in 2011, is now in the squad and adds that experience, and having Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj firing again after their injuries is massive. Our pace attack complements each other well and Bumrah, in particular, is looking sorted now. He has recovered well and he is a very important player in this World Cup," said Raina.
"With the bat, Virat Kohli will anchor the show and look to bat through the overs. We also have a very solid opening pair. Shubman Gill averages over 60 in ODI cricket and Rohit Sharma has scored three double centuries in this format - and hit five centuries at the last World Cup. If the top three can bat 25-30 overs, we can easily put a lot of runs on the board," he added.
Dealing with the pressure will be a big challenge for the Indian team in the home World Cup, and Raina explained why the pressure will be more this time around as compared to 2011.
"Winning the Asia Cup will give the team confidence but the World Cup will bring a different pressure. The whole of India wants India to win this trophy. It is different to 2011, too. Back then, there was nowhere near as much social media. Nowadays, every player has Twitter, Instagram, Facebook - every player will feel that pressure," Raina said.
"But as professional athletes, they have to ignore that and just enjoy the World Cup, enjoy playing in front of these fans and thrive on the support. Diwali is coming and there will be lots of celebrations, so they just need to enjoy each and every game. One mistake can leave you out of a World Cup, especially when you get to the latter stages. They need to be very focused, very mentally strong and enjoy this format," he further remarked.
