Reality check- Suresh Raina is just as good as Mohammad Kaif

[achilles]

He's called the bluff of the "chaplus" as he would be called!

From the Indian Express - here Sandeep Dwivedi Posted: Thu Sep 01 2011, 03:20 hrs Manchester With a heavy kit bag hanging from his weary shoulder, Suresh Raina trudged towards the dressing room after a couple of very busy hours at the nets, on the eve of India's T20 game at Old Trafford. Despite the gloomy end-of-August English weather the transitional weather saw a sudden drop in the atmospheric temperature Raina was sweating profusely. It wasn't so surprising for those present at the session in Manchester, for, with the rapid approach into September signalling the start of the final phase of this England tour, time was running out for this blow hot, blow cold cricketer. Amidst the surrounding chill, Raina attempted to make amends for a wasted summer. The beginning of the shorter formats ensured that Raina was back in his comfort zone, as he was seen running the hard yards to get over his Test blues. Not that it means anything, for Raina has always been a cricketer who hardly ever takes a wrong step while training, but still somehow manages to trip over himself on match days. In the left-hander's case, there is almost no correlation between the hours he spends batting before a game and during it; the respective lengths seem to differ starkly. Inside the net enclosure, he painstakingly irons out his flaws (read short ball) with the coaches, but as soon as he marks his crease the next day he looks wrinkly and unkempt. Remember Trent Bridge? Tim Bresnan, bouncer, pull, top edge, caught at fine leg, misery. Just like at Trent Bridge, he was once again ducking short balls during practice at Old Trafford for the T20. Besides, he also batted for long hours, faced throwdowns, took slip catches, indulged in feverish diving during fielding drills, and bowled off-spinners. In between, he found time to play the fool with his mates, listen to seniors, humour skipper Dhoni, smile at journalists, sign autographs and thank bowling coach Eric Simons profusely for the help. Thanks a lot Simons, he yelled while exiting the nets. Touched by the gesture, the coach replied: It was my pleasure, Suresh Raina. The batsman's eyes gleamed with pleasure. Raina has got light eyes, but dressing room grapewine has it that the retinas are in fact blue. They seem to know, for regardless of changing reigns and eras and managements in the dressing room, Raina remains the favourite. Captain's pet This has also worked against Raina, as the easiest way to badmouth him is to call him the captain's pet. During the Chappell era, he was compared to Brian Lara; during the following South African regime, Kirsten went on record to say that it was Raina's knock against Australia in the quarters that won India the World Cup; and after becoming captain, MS Dhoni has always made it a point to stress on Raina's extreme workload everytime he is asked questions regarding rotation, injuries and fatigue. Dhoni is of course a close confidante of Raina's, as on tours, the captain, his wife and the 24-year old dine together. But to be fair to Raina, he is just the sort of the player that coaches, especially the overseas kind, love to have in their team. One of the fittest in the side, he dutifully completes all drills, is last to leave the nets, never shies away from a challenge, and never hides behind injuries when the going gets tough. He does all the right things to be seen as a team man. He ruffles the hair of wicket-takers, receives plenty of back slaps for a fine fielding effort, and is by far the most prominent on the dressing room balcony when a teammate raises his bat. But can all these traits help one survive a run slump? History has shown that what it can at best do is delay the axe, never avoid it. Raina's constantly fluctuating form never helps his backers to justify his inclusion in the side, while also making the often floated theory that he is captain material an irrational one. Although he scored three 50s in the relatively easier climes of the Caribbean, Raina averaged 13.2 against England over four Tests when it mattered. His last ODI fifty arrived in October 2010, ten months ago. The UP connection It's been six years since Raina got his big break in the senior side as a prodigal junior, but it's fair to say that he hasn't quite lived up to his potential. He was seen as that player who would end up replacing the legendary batsmen in the Indian middle order. But at present, his international record is closer to Mohammad Kaif than a Rahul Dravid or a Sachin Tendulkar. Raina averages 34 in 120 ODIs and 29 in 15 Tests. When Kaif was dropped permanently, his career averages were strikingly similar 32 in 125 ODIs, and 32 in 13 Tests. The two UP batsmen have other common traits too. Like Raina, Kaif was the fittest in the team, was a stunning fielder, while captains and coaches loved him. He was said to be the future India captain, but his lack of runs did in an otherwise glowing CV. In terms of strokeplay, Raina has got more power and range, but the statistical similarity is spooky. By the end of the series, Raina would have played 125 ODIs, the same as Kaif. The next five games will see if Raina can break the Kaif mould. In the present touring party, Raina's place in the playing XI is cemented, thanks to the injury epidemic plaguing Team India regulars. If Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh were fit, and considering the sparkling form of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Raina should have been fighting for his place in the side. Like a teacher's pet the kind who diligently do their homework, wipe the blackboard and scream 'good morning the loudest who is reluctantly punished, India's captain, coach and overall management may also have to do the needful when the time arises.

I wasn't surprised that this wasn't posted.

[Rahul Dravid]

Kaif > Raina

[daryl1985]

Kaif > Raina

Really?? Raina is a matchwinner in ODI's and T20's. He is not really suited to test cricket but i would take him over Kaif any day of the week. Raina played key knocks in the WC quarter and semi finals. He even played key knocks in the test series in the Windies and was the only Indian to show any resistance to England on day 5 at Lord's. He is terrible against the short ball and will be exposed against high quality test bowling line-ups but he always gives his all for India and is a very dangerous limited overs player.

[J P K]

:facepalm:

[urbestfriend]

What are you implying? That Raina is most hardworker in the team? Or is he in good books of coaches and captain? Yes, he didn't do well in tests for which he'll have relinquish his slot in tests and deservedly so. It doesn't mean he should be dumped in ODI/T2s too. He is a very good talent, has good work ethics, its a real shame that he couldn't succeed in tests.

[Clarke]

What's the point in the comparison ? He very much deserves his odi spot, his world cup contributions will not be forgotten. Tests of course is another story.

[achilles]

I think this article is predominantly about his statistics, his performance in tests and the fact that chaplusi seems to be bailing him out. See, we must have the same whip for everyone. Dada wasn't above scrutiny, Rahul wasn't above scrutiny and I see no reason why Raina should be above scrutiny. When Raina is exposed, his set of supporters do like a guerilla war and try to point out how good he is and all that. One thing that can be established is that statistically he is not. Second thing, technically he is not. So whats the point in having him in the team? DO we pick him for being the Indian team's comedy boy? We all remember how he played in England last time round. It was the England leg that exposed him. This series is going to be make or break for him.

[rkt.india]

I think this article is predominantly about his statistics, his performance in tests and the fact that chaplusi seems to be bailing him out. See, we must have the same whip for everyone. Dada wasn't above scrutiny, Rahul wasn't above scrutiny and I see no reason why Raina should be above scrutiny. When Raina is exposed, his set of supporters do like a guerilla war and try to point out how good he is and all that. One thing that can be established is that statistically he is not. Second thing, technically he is not. So whats the point in having him in the team? DO we pick him for being the Indian team's comedy boy? We all remember how he played in England last time round. It was the England leg that exposed him. This series is going to be make or break for him.

You don't dismiss talented players so early in test career. Kaif was not as talented as him. Otherwise, we would have not VVS. VVS's record was abysmal in his first 2-3 years. He did not do well in England but he did well in WI test series where conditions were tough too, bowlers were as quick as England's and even SRT, VVS, Viru, Gambo did not do well in England so they should be booted out based on this series. He is a hard worker and will certainly work on his game. Look at where was Gambhir, but we persisted and he became a real cricketer. Gambhir is 30 now and Raina is 24. He has lots of time in his hand. RD and Ganguly had just debuted at this age. If we start drubbing players at such a young age, one day we will not have players to pick because we would have drubbed all. He has shown enough brilliance and talent on many occasions that he belongs to high level and it is just a matter of time that he will become a consistent player. He is already an integral part of Indian ODI side and sometimes, I laugh when people forget his contribution to Indian ODI side and talk about him being dropped and favor Kohili and Rohit who both cannot bat at the number Raina bats in ODIs, 6-7.

[saneindian]

I think this article is predominantly about his statistics, his performance in tests and the fact that chaplusi seems to be bailing him out. See, we must have the same whip for everyone. Dada wasn't above scrutiny, Rahul wasn't above scrutiny and I see no reason why Raina should be above scrutiny. When Raina is exposed, his set of supporters do like a guerilla war and try to point out how good he is and all that. One thing that can be established is that statistically he is not. Second thing, technically he is not. So whats the point in having him in the team? DO we pick him for being the Indian team's comedy boy? We all remember how he played in England last time round. It was the England leg that exposed him. This series is going to be make or break for him.

He struggled in England tests and perhaps shouldn't have played the 4th test. But after those 3 50s in WI, he deserved a spot in thr England test squad and looked like getting it back when he hit that 78 at Lord's. Couldn't quite grab his chances. But now that he has failed in tests, doesn't make him a crap ODI player. As for that comparison with Kaif, the averages maybe the same but look at the strike rates 72 for Kaif and 90 for Raina.. Look at how they performed against top ODI sides Aus- 12 for Kaif vs 43 for Raina SL- 28 for Kaif vs 31 for Raina Pakistan - 21 for Kaif vs 41 for Raina SA- 30 for Kaif vs 28 for Raina England- 24 for Kaif vs 38 for Raina NZ- 45 for Kaif vs 39 for Raina WI- 38 for Kaif vs 19 for Raina Don't need to say anything more now.

[rkt.india]

He struggled in England tests and perhaps shouldn't have played the 4th test. But after those 3 50s in WI, he deserved a spot in thr England test squad and looked like getting it back when he hit that 78 at Lord's. Couldn't quite grab his chances. But now that he has failed in tests, doesn't make him a crap ODI player. As for that comparison with Kaif, the averages maybe the same but look at the strike rates 72 for Kaif and 90 for Raina.. Look at how they performed against top ODI sides Aus- 12 for Kaif vs 43 for Raina SL- 28 for Kaif vs 31 for Raina Pakistan - 21 for Kaif vs 41 for Raina SA- 30 for Kaif vs 28 for Raina England- 24 for Kaif vs 38 for Raina NZ- 45 for Kaif vs 39 for Raina WI- 38 for Kaif vs 19 for Raina Don't need to say anything more now.

Biggest difference is the strike rate. You dont need a player at 6-7 nowadays in ODIs who aveages 40 but strike rate is 72. You would want a batsmen who may be average 35 but has average of 90 or can up the ante when required. Here Kaif failed in long run.

[rkt.india]

Kaif could have been a decent test bat at 6, but we gave more chances of Yuvraj.

[bulbul]

kaif made his name Mainly becuase of that U19 tourney,Natwest final and his fileding... When he and Yuvi came to team our fileding is not good...so peopl.e sat up and appluaded guys who are fielding lin SA and OZ.. Except that Kaif is just like other good Domestic talents but not able to perform consistantly in World level..

[Cricket Tragic]

He struggled in England tests and perhaps shouldn't have played the 4th test. But after those 3 50s in WI, he deserved a spot in thr England test squad and looked like getting it back when he hit that 78 at Lord's. Couldn't quite grab his chances. But now that he has failed in tests, doesn't make him a crap ODI player. As for that comparison with Kaif, the averages maybe the same but look at the strike rates 72 for Kaif and 90 for Raina.. Look at how they performed against top ODI sides Aus- 12 for Kaif vs 43 for Raina SL- 28 for Kaif vs 31 for Raina Pakistan - 21 for Kaif vs 41 for Raina SA- 30 for Kaif vs 28 for Raina England- 24 for Kaif vs 38 for Raina NZ- 45 for Kaif vs 39 for Raina WI- 38 for Kaif vs 19 for Raina Don't need to say anything more now.

/thread

[Sid]

Kaif > Raina

Nonsense post .

[ganeshran]

If not for Raina's innings in QF and SF, we might not have won the world cup.

[Sachin=GOD]

@OP check this out.

[The Outsider]

Not really - Kaif was a better test batsman than Raina.

[rkt.india]

Not really - Kaif was a better test batsman than Raina.

Yes I agree in this regard..Welcome back outsider ji...kaisi rahi aapki yaatra.

[Sidhoni]

@OP check this out.

:two_thumbs_up::two_thumbs_up:

[bhanu]

Really?? Raina is a matchwinner in ODI's and T20's. He is not really suited to test cricket but i would take him over Kaif any day of the week. Raina played key knocks in the WC quarter and semi finals. He even played key knocks in the test series in the Windies and was the only Indian to show any resistance to England on day 5 at Lord's. He is terrible against the short ball and will be exposed against high quality test bowling line-ups but he always gives his all for India and is a very dangerous limited overs player.

No raina is not a match winner. He is almost a match winner. He takes ur team to the end den gets out and ur team loses. Da only real match winner in ur team is dhoni, yuvraj, gambhir and vvs.