|
The Indian team picked to participate
in the upcoming one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka involves two new faces
- batsmen Suresh Raina and Y Venugopal Rao - and a recall in the form
of JP Yadav. Greg Chappell, coach of Indian team, has been emphasising
the need to bolster bench strength, and with the selectors clearly
looking to the future, the three players were selected keeping the
2007 World Cup firmly in mind. Understandably, they were delighted
at the opportunity to don India colours.
Suresh Raina, the 18-year-old Uttar Pradesh cricketer who had made
the Indian team for the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka, said that
his selection was not entirely unexpected. "I'm happy. It is
a result of my hard work," Raina was quoted as saying in Deccan
Herald. "I'm confident of doing well if given a chance."
A left-handed batsman, Raina has averaged over 43 runs in 15 first-class
matches so far. He has made no secret of the fact that he regards
Rahul Dravid as his idol, and Raina claims to have impressed him during
the recent camp in Bangalore. "(Selection) was not a surprise
as Greg Chappell and Rahul Dravid had appreciated my batting,"
he told The Hindu. "I have also the experience of playing in
Sri Lanka on an under-19 tour."
For Y. Venugopal Rao, the Andhra Pradesh middle-order batsman, the
news of his selection was a "dream come true." He was picked
on the back of a string of strong domestic performances. "Every
cricketer hopes to play for India," said Rao. "I've played
well over the last one-and-half-years in Ranji Trophy, first-class
and for India `A' teams and I expected this call-up. I was nervous
and I don't think I can sleep tonight. I just can't explain the feeling."
Rao has a first-class average of 53, and his career tally of 3907
runs includes an unbeaten 228 for South Zone against England `A' in
the Duleep Trophy last year. He was visibly moved after receiving
the news. "I cannot explain the feeling in words. My family called
me up and broke the news," he said. "I have done well last
season and I was hoping like any player in India, for a call from
the selectors."
In picking the Indian team for the tri-nation tournament, the selectors
recalled all-rounder Jai Prakash Yadav, last seen in the home one-day
series against the West Indies in 2002. Yadav averages 40 with the
bat and 24 with the ball in first-class cricket, and has been waiting
nearly three years for his next chance. "It feels good. I was
a little nervous when I got selected the last time, and my main aim
is to grab my chance now," he said. ""From where I
come, even to play two matches is a big thing. I went back and decided
to focus on my bowling and prepared accordingly. After my performance
last season, I was sure I would be called for the camp but getting
selected is something else."
Yadav hopes to fill India's great need for a world-class allrounder.
The Railways player had a magical Ranji season in 2004-05, and was
hoping for a recall. "I should have grabbed that opportunity,"
he said. "Since then I have worked hard on my bowling too since
I knew India needed a bowling all-rounder. I am much more confident
than I was a few years back.
The tournament begins on July 30, with India taking on hosts Sri Lanka
in a day-night match at Dambulla. West Indies are the third team in
the competition.
|
