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This article was first published 12 years ago

We'll play different cricket during ODIs: Raina

Last updated on: January 30, 2012 11:35 IST

Image: Suresh Raina

Unfazed by the Test debacle as he was not a part of the team, Indian middle-order batsman Suresh Raina said his side will play some "different cricket" to give a better account of itself in the shorter formats starting with a Twenty20 match against Australia on Wednesday.

India lost the Test series 0-4 but Raina said the squad for Twenty20s and ODI tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, will deliver better performances.

"We won the ODI series here last time. We have also won the World Cup. We won other series too. It's the same set of players largely. You would see different cricket from India," said Raina.

'We didn't bat well in Tests'

Image: Sachin Tendulkar

India's disappointing show in the Test series would have little effect on a largely young team in coloured clothing and Raina took pains to stress the point.

"Test matches were different. I was not part of it but what I watched, Australians played better cricket.

"They executed their plans well, bowled well, bowled in good areas. Unfortunately, we didn't bat well in pair. Hopefully, we will do well in next series.

"Raina's confidence stems from the fact that most of the youngsters, including himself, have prepared well for the forthcoming series.

"The youngsters have done well in the last couple of months. So we hope for the best. There are a lot of youngsters who have come from India. They have played good first-class cricket and done very well at home. I played three four domestic matches and got a double century," he said.

Tags: India , Raina

Good preparation for World Cup 2015


Raina believes the present tour would be useful for the youngsters as the next world cup, in 2015, is scheduled in Australia and New Zealand.

"We will play 2015 world cup in Australia and New Zealand and the same youngsters would benefit a great deal," Raina said.

Raina said Australia should watch out for the young Indians and not bloat on their Test success too much.

"We would play good cricket against Australia and Sri Lanka. It would be good if we can keep our intensity up. The boys are motivated. Unfortunately, we didn't do well in Test but are passionate to do well in the forthcoming one-day series.

"Twenty20 would be lot different from Tests. We beat Australia in quarter-finals in the World Cup and also are world champions," he said.

'I've worked on my batting'

Image: Suresh Raina

Raina has scored 3250 runs from 134 ODI matches at 34.95 with three centuries.

He has 583 runs from 22 Twenty20 matches at 32.39. The left-hander spelled out his preparations ahead of the present series.

"I went to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, worked in Mumbai, worked on my wrist position on the bouncy wicket at MIG and NCA and had good coaches (to work under). I worked with Sandeep Patil. We have Duncan (Fletcher). Sachin (Tendulkar) played with us in CB series last time. His inputs would be very useful."

In the ICC rankings, they are presently number seven, just ahead of the West Indies.

"We have to do well. Fielding is going to be a major factor here. We have to take catches and affect run-outs. We have to bat till the end.

"We have good all-rounders who can hit the ball hard and take wickets. We have good variation bowlers like Praveen, Irfan and Vinay. Hopefully, you would see an improved performance."

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