Raina is best young batsman in the world - Wasim Akram

[Bradman99]

Well done to Watson anyway' date=' managed to get dropped on 99 otherwise he would have never got a Test century, still trying to catch up with Hughes's number of Test and FC centuries who is 7 years younger than him :giggle: :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:[/quote'] He has consistently scored over 50 getting Australia off to many a great starts in the test matches since he has come in, I agree that Hughes was unlucky to get dropped but Watson has done nothing to have his spot taken from him. Hughes needs to be patient and wait for his chance before getting himself back into the side. Can you please tell me what Watson has done wrong and why you are laughing so much ? What is in the past is in the past, Watson can't change that but he is definately going good at present in ALL forms!

[Sachinism]

Raina needs to be given a go in Tests at some point. We can't have the attitude that his game won't be suited to the format. Many players have shown it can be done. And the short ball, I don't think its a big a issue as its being made out to be. In test's he can block and leave them, there is no need to constantly get runs.

[Lord]

Raina is up there but i feel Kohli is better than him

[Karan114]

Ton-up Mr Raina and his work ethic Anand Vasu, Hindustan Times Gros Islet (St Lucia), May 04, 2010 It is easy to forget that Suresh Raina is just 23. The left-handed batsman has already been around for so long, since his international debut back in 2005, that he's one of the more experienced ODI cricketers in the mix. With 90 ODIs under the belt, Raina has already learnt a lot about batting at the highest level. That said, he learnt another valuable lesson on Sunday: when you get in and make a start, push yourself to the limit and get a hundred in the bag. It's only a number, but 100 means a lot to any cricketer. The major criticism of Raina, thus far, has been his penchant for brief attractive innings that did not get converted into big scores. To make a century in a 20-over contest is not something that happens often, with only Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum having managed the feat before Raina. "It really couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy," a team-mate of Raina said. "We literally have to drag him out of the nets during practice sessions. When a kid puts in so much effort, you're happy to see him get results." Talk to different people about Raina and his work ethic is a repeated theme. It's little wonder that coaches love him. It was under Greg Chappell that Raina first came to the fore in Indian cricket, and the former Australian great had very specific reasons for backing Raina. What caught Chappell's eye was Raina's ability to hit through the infield, with a combination of power and placement. Most Indian batsmen, especially against spinners, back themselves to take the aerial route when bogged down. But Raina had this unique knack of keeping the ball along the ground, thereby minimising risk, and drilling it past the fielders inside the circle. Add to this the fact that Raina hits some of the biggest sixes in a group of dashers, and you have something approaching a complete package. What impressed in Sunday's century was Raina's maturity. "I was not hitting the ball well when I first went to the crease," Raina admitted soon after. "At that time I was thinking 'just rotate the strike' and when I get a loose ball just go for it." If there has been one flaw in Raina's batting that opposition bowlers have been keen to exploit, it's his appetite to take on short-pitched bowling. In the past, there have been occasions when a sustained attack of bouncers has cost Raina his wicket. But, instead of focussing on his weaknesses, Raina has done what he can to maximise his strengths. An instinctive cricketer at the best of times, and someone who is always looking to attack, Raina has benefitted enormously from playing under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, both for India and the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. "Mahi (Dhoni) helped me a lot in the IPL," Raina said. "Even other senior players, like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, have supported me throughout the time I've been with the Indian team. It's important to fulfil the dreams they've had for me." http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/cricket/worldcupt20/Ton-up-Mr-Raina-and-his-work-ethic/cricketnews/SP-Article10-538978.aspx

[Sachinism]

^^ Good on him, shows hard work pays off. I've always liked Raina, I saw him 1st at the U-19 level, but only after I saw him play when Guru Greg picked him I saw something I liked, he had an ability to hit the boundaries when needed. Then after that I remember the Challenger series just a few years back when he looked on another level to the rest.

[The Dark Horse]

I think he'll be the next in line after Sachin, Dravid, Kumble n Viru, not in terms of performance but as a character.

[King Tendulkar]

Disagree with wasim. Rohit is best young bat in world' date=' with Raina second and Virat third[/quote'] I stand by this:--D

[Bradman99]

I stand by this:--D

Hmm all Indians eh ?

[King Tendulkar]

^ No bias in my judgements! Just we produce best batters in the world!:--D

[satyam1729]

Hmm all Indians eh ?

All best young bowlers are yours:winky:

[Bradman99]

I disagree though, Raina is a good talent, better than Sharma for me. Sharma still averages what mid 20's in one dayers ? Kohli has shown good signs, I think he will turn out better than both these guys.. However, Phil Hughes for mine is and will be better than all of these players. I also think Steve Smith will soon get his chance to prove to be one of the best young batsman. It's just these Indian batsman are benefiting from India's middle order getting old and needing replacing. Australia's middle order is practically irreplacable (at least in tests) so this gives less chance to the younger players to prove their worth (prime example is Hughes). Umar Akmal shall be added to the promising young batsman also. So out of Hughes, Smith, Kohli, Sharma, Raina, Umar.. I think Hughes will be the one who will achieve the most. He's certainly in the top 3 out of them!

[Bradman99]

All best young bowlers are yours:winky:

why thank you.. haha

[satyam1729]

I disagree though, Raina is a good talent, better than Sharma for me. Sharma still averages what mid 20's in one dayers ? Kohli has shown good signs, I think he will turn out better than both these guys.. However, Phil Hughes for mine is and will be better than all of these players. I also think Steve Smith will soon get his chance to prove to be one of the best young batsman. It's just these Indian batsman are benefiting from India's middle order getting old and needing replacing. Australia's middle order is practically irreplacable (at least in tests) so this gives less chance to the younger players to prove their worth (prime example is Hughes). Umar Akmal shall be added to the promising young batsman also. So out of Hughes, Smith, Kohli, Sharma, Raina, Umar.. I think Hughes will be the one who will achieve the most. He's certainly in the top 3 out of them!

Pontng and Hussey will not retire :cantstop:

[hari504504]

All best young bowlers are yours:winky:

with the exception of bowlers who impart revolutions on the ball.... The minnows have the best crop of that..

[Bradman99]

Pontng and Hussey will not retire :cantstop:

Few years left in them still..

[satyam1729]

Few years left in them still..

Tendulkar can play till 46 years like Hobbs so can Dravid. One tour to India, England and SL and ponting's career will be over.

[Bradman99]

Tendulkar can play till 46 years like Hobbs so can Dravid. One tour to India' date=' England and SL and ponting's career will be over.[/quote'] You reckon ? I reckon Ponting will go want to win the ashes in England before retiring. Hussey may soon be dropped actually, but he'll remain in the one day side for sure. Tendulkar wont have more than 1 or 2 years, same with Dravid. Add to that Laxman and they are 3 very dominant middle order batsman, that's a large loss.

[thevortex]

Bradman99 - I appreciate unorthodox batsmen but for some reason cannot get myself to trust Phil Hughes' ability. He is almost Ganguly-esque in his bent towards the off side. Sans the grace - not that it matters too much. Difference is he can pull really well. Nevertheless to me, he is way too loose to rank as the best young player. Especially when he is not able to find a regular spot for himself in his national team. Dont you think so?

[Bradman99]

Bradman99 - I appreciate unorthodox batsmen but for some reason cannot get myself to trust Phil Hughes' ability. He is almost Ganguly-esque in his bent towards the off side. Sans the grace - not that it matters too much. Difference is he can pull really well. Nevertheless to me, he is way too loose to rank as the best young player. Especially when he is not able to find a regular spot for himself in his national team. Dont you think so?

I think his unique technique can be considered a good thing- rather than just a bad thing. He is a different batsman, it's worked well for him and will continue to. People say "aw other players will figure him out" but i think Hughes will figure them out, he will tamper with his technique a little bit to make sure he does not get out the same ways.. A century on debut at the age of 19 or 20 against SA in SA takes a lot of bloody talent. And I don't think it's fair that you can say just because he hasn't found a regular spot in the AUSTRALIAN side that he does not rank as the best young batsman in the world. Would Sharma, Raina or Kohli get into the Australian side ? I don't think so.. Also, what player at the age of 21 really gets into the Aus side on a consistent basis ? That is a hard gig.

[thevortex]

Well, Bradman99 - we cannot talk about what-ifs. What we can say is that Raina is a regular in at least two forms of the game for India. Hughes does not cut it in Australia's case. We will be getting into some hot water if we start talking about what might happen if Hughes were to have been born Indian or Raina born Australian :). As for as century on debut against South Africa in South Africa - once a young Pakistani called Azhar Mahmood did it. And he fell away gradually but surely. About it being hard to get into your national side at the age of 21 that is precisely why the tag of 'best young player' is so hard to get. Look at Mohammad Aamer. Now he is quite possibly the best young player for me. But bowling is not as sexy as batting. So, as Americans would say, go figure! :)