Suresh Raina cites daughter's illness for staying away from the game

What’s the story?

Out of favour Indian batsman, Suresh Raina has finally revealed what kept him out of the game in the previous few months stating that he was treating his ailing daughter.

“Logon ka kaam chahiye bolne ka – aisa hai, waisa hai (People just need to talk. This, that),” was quoted by the Indian Express. “I have to take my daughter to the hospital, I have to do the work at home and I can’t see how people can criticise me for that? Bahar ka banda nahi aayega na yeh sab karne (Nobody from outside will come and do it)?”

In case you did not know

Since making his debut for team India in 2005, Raina had been quite a regular in the side in the limited overs format. His hard hitting abilities down the order and slow offspinners made him a got to man for MS Dhoni. But after the 2015 World Cup Raina’s form has dwindled. He is no more the destructive batter that he once used to be and therefore does not find a place in the playing XI now. However, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) the left-hander he is a different player altogether. He is one of the highest run-getters in the league and captain’s the Gujarat Lions.

The heart of the matter

Controversy arose recently when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dropped Raina’s name from the annual contract list. The decision from the board came as a shock to his fans and supporters who took to social media platforms to express their disappointment.

Uttar Pradesh coach Rizwan Shamshad slammed Raina saying his priorities had changed after marriage and that he was finding it difficult to concentrate on the game. However, Raina says he still loves the game as much as he did and that chicken pox and fever kept him away from tournaments like the Duleep trophy and the Vijay Hazare trophy. Raina also said that he had informed the state selectors and the BCCI about his condition.

Also speaking on why he was dropped from the contract list Raina said he had got no clue since he had played in a T20 game for India in the last 6 months which is the only benchmark in retaining a contract.

What’s next?

Raina now has the whole IPL to prove his worth again. If he plays to his potential and helps Gujarat Lions win a few, he might just be brought into the squad again for the Champions Trophy in June.

Author’s take

Raina has been a veteran for the India team and he does deserve a chance to get back into the national team and prove his worth again. Also was it fair to drop him from the contract list? I don’t think so.