Long wait gives Raina Test cap

Jul 27, 2010 |

Correspondent

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Colombo, July 26: One of the longest waits in Indian cricket is over. Suresh Raina won his maiden ODI cap July 30, 2006 and since then, has waited for a Test cap. Unwavering focus and hunger made Raina finally realise his dream, and he also set a record by being the most capped ODI player before making his Test debut.

On the day, Raina was only too pleased to receive his first Test cap from his idol Rahul Dravid.

“I have not played just 98 ODIs. I have scored runs in first-class cricket too. I am thankful to god for this opportunity. All the senior members have helped me during the course. I will do my very best,” Suresh Raina said at the SSC here on Monday.

To his credit Raina has worked on his technique and with a flat track beckoning, the start could not have come at a better venue.

Interestingly, Raina was called to the Test team in March 2006 itself against England but the Test berth remained elusive. “Yes, it has been a long time and I am yearning for a Test cap. It’s not easy to break into that middle-order and I am happy to bide my time.

“Take Yuvraj for example, he got a chance only after former skipper Sourav Ganguly retired. Gary Kirsten has told me to enjoy my game and keep pressing my claim,” Raina had said prior to this series.

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