We'll show what we're at home, says Raina
NEW DELHI: Despite losing the ODI series 3-0 in England, India's Suresh Raina is hopeful that a young team will learn from the experience and give the visiting English team a stiff competition. He spoke about the upcoming ODI series in a freewheeling chat with TOI on Monday. Excerpts:How is the preparation for the England series?
We are very excited. We have done well in the last year or so. We have a young team and the players performed well though we lost the series in England. At home, it's going to be a great experience. We will show England what we are at home.
What went wrong in England?
Rain contributed a lot but as professional you can't complain much. We have to look at our mistakes rather than passing the blame. There were quite a few seniors who missed the ODI series in England, but the youngsters displayed great strength of character to counter England. If you see the results of all the matches, all of them were close games.
With so much cricket being played, how do you manage to motivate yourself and keep yourself fit?
We follow the fitness regime set by the team. I do my meditation everyday. It really helps. You have to tell yourself that you have to score big today. Only then it will happen in reality. You also need to look at your diet and sleeping habit. The best bit is to know when to switch on and off. I am grateful to Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton for helping me evolve better as a cricketer.
Your take on coach Fletcher?
He is a good coach and his knowledge on the game is helping the team. Give him some time and he will also get us results.
Can India team become No. 1 Test team in near future?
Why not? Look at the achievements of our team in the last three years. We were the No. 1 in the world and also won the World Cup. England series was bad for the team, but we have the talent and passion to be No. 1 again.
Suresh Raina in coloured clothing was different from what we saw of him in England. Why?
I started off the Test series well. Got some runs at Lord's Test, but failed to score big in the next two matches. I talked with Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and they told me that there was nothing wrong with my approach. So, it was only a matter of time when runs would come. In the one-dayers, I didn't do anything special. I would also like to mention that the England bowlers were very impressive.
What are your thoughts on two new ball rules that will be applicable from India-England series?
We are all excited about it. Waiting to meet my teammates and it will be interesting to see how every team would execute the rule.
Are you disappointed with Super Kings' performance in the Champions League?
Of course, I am extremely disappointed to have missed out on the Champions League, but it's good feeling to see both the IPL teams making it to the final. Thanks to IPL, we are seeing more and more cricketers showing their true mettle in tense situations.
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