NEW DELHI: Calling practice matches ‘really important’, former India striker Suresh Raina believes the Australians may have missed the trick after opting for simulation training over playing matches warming up before the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The four-game Test series begins on February 9 in Nagpur and Raina is surprised by the Australian team’s decision not to play warm-up matches.
The visitors are currently in Bengaluru, training on row spinners, assisted by little-known Baroda spinner Mahesh Pithiya, whose bowling action resembles R Ashwin.
“I played practice matches (before testing) and they are really important. They (Australia) can only understand the quality of the pitches in India if they play there,” Raina told PTI in margin of the annual Mission Olympics meeting, organized by the Police Families Welfare Society.
Raina is confident that India will succeed in the four Test series and the return of Ravindra Jadeja will add a nice balance to the team.
“I’m happy with Jadeja’s return after a long spell,” said the left-hander.
“Our spinners R Ashwin, Axar Patel are doing well. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been in good form and I think we will have the opportunity to watch an interesting series in the coming days.”
While visiting teams are always welcome on rank turners during Test matches in the subcontinent, Raina would like to see a track that would last for five days.
He, however, did not want to predict the outcome of the series.
“Let it start first. A test match is expected to last for five days. I will only comment (on performance) after watching the first day and seeing the attention from the players.”
Raina is very happy that there is so much competition for national team spots across formats.
“It’s an achievement (many deserve a place in the Indian team). When there is such a competition, we will get the best performances from the players.”
He also welcomed BCCI’s decision to host the first Women’s Premier League (WPL).
“WPL is going to be very beneficial for female cricketers in our country. And it’s great that the U-19 (women’s) team won the World Cup.”
(With PTI entries)
The four-game Test series begins on February 9 in Nagpur and Raina is surprised by the Australian team’s decision not to play warm-up matches.
The visitors are currently in Bengaluru, training on row spinners, assisted by little-known Baroda spinner Mahesh Pithiya, whose bowling action resembles R Ashwin.
“I played practice matches (before testing) and they are really important. They (Australia) can only understand the quality of the pitches in India if they play there,” Raina told PTI in margin of the annual Mission Olympics meeting, organized by the Police Families Welfare Society.
Raina is confident that India will succeed in the four Test series and the return of Ravindra Jadeja will add a nice balance to the team.
“I’m happy with Jadeja’s return after a long spell,” said the left-hander.
“Our spinners R Ashwin, Axar Patel are doing well. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been in good form and I think we will have the opportunity to watch an interesting series in the coming days.”
While visiting teams are always welcome on rank turners during Test matches in the subcontinent, Raina would like to see a track that would last for five days.
He, however, did not want to predict the outcome of the series.
“Let it start first. A test match is expected to last for five days. I will only comment (on performance) after watching the first day and seeing the attention from the players.”
Raina is very happy that there is so much competition for national team spots across formats.
“It’s an achievement (many deserve a place in the Indian team). When there is such a competition, we will get the best performances from the players.”
He also welcomed BCCI’s decision to host the first Women’s Premier League (WPL).
“WPL is going to be very beneficial for female cricketers in our country. And it’s great that the U-19 (women’s) team won the World Cup.”
(With PTI entries)
