Suresh Raina is one of the most underrated Indian cricketers. He played a big part in India’s white-ball dominance from 2007-13. Raina was a gun fielder and a superb finisher. He played starring roles in many famous Indian wins. Raina also stepped into captaincy shoes in MS Dhoni’s absence. He wasn’t a natural captain but a solid team player. Here are Indian Players Who Made Their Debut Under Suresh Raina
Indian Players Who Made Their Debut Under Suresh Raina
#6 Vinay Kumar
Vinay Kumar was a domestic stalwart. He finally made his India debut in 2010. Kumar first broke into the Indian ODI squad. He made his debut against Zimbabwe. Raina was the captain who led the Indian side in Dhoni’s absence. Kumar had a productive outing capturing 2 wickets in 8 overs. A limited bowler who thrived more on variations, Kumar had a brief international career lasting 3 overs.
#5 Ashok Dinda
Ashok Dinda much like Vinay Kumar was a domestic stalwart. He started playing first-class cricket in 2005. He made his ODI debut in 2010 along with Vinay Kumar and Umesh Yadav. Dinda was one of the most ridiculed Indian cricketers. He conceded above 6 runs per over across both the white-ball formats. His career did not take off and he last played an ODI in 2013.
#4 Amit Mishra
Amit Mishra made his India ODI debut in 2003. But it was only after 7 years that he got a chance to play for India in the T20Is. Raina was the captain when Mishra made his T20I debut. He made his debut in the 2nd T20I picking up a single wicket and conceded 21 runs. Mishra was an exceptional limited-overs bowler but he could never really cement his place in the team.
#3 Umesh Yadav
Umesh Yadav completed the trio of pacers who made their debut in the Zimbabwe series. Yadav bowled 8 overs in the game and remained wicketless. Umesh had a below-par white-ball career as he often proved to be expensive. He has had a mixed Test career so far with his returns at home being exceptional as compared to ones away. Yadav continues to be on the radar.
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin made his T20I debut for India in 2010. Not many might be aware of the fact that he debuted under Raina. Ashwin made his ODI debut under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy. He picked up the wicket of Tatenda Taibu in his debut T20I game. Ashwin went on to become a giant of the game.
#1 Virat Kohli
Suresh Raina was the Indian captain when Virat Kohli made his T20I debut. Kohli remained unbeaten on 26 as India went on to win the game by 5 wickets. 11 years since his T20I debut, Kohli has gone on to become India’s batting mainstay across formats. He is the only batsman in world cricket to average more than 50 across formats.
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