'They should get used to...': Suresh Raina namedrops Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to issue stern warning to Team India for T20 World Cup

With the T20 World Cup 2024 just around the corner, veteran batter Suresh Raina, a member of India's 2009 T20 World Cup squad, has offered some crucial advice to the Rohit Sharma's brigade. While India fell short in that tournament, Raina etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian batsman to score a T20I century. Now, he wants India to end their long wait for an ICC trophy in the T20 World Cup 2024.

He recommends the Indian players adjust to the ‘drop-in pitches’ and weather conditions of the USA and the Caribbean, where the tournament will be held from June 2. By adapting quickly to these factors, Raina believes the team can significantly improve their chances of success.

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Raina also said that the current Indian team looks well balanced with Rohit Sharma being the captain and Virat Kohli in red-hot form

"The team is balanced. Rohit Sharma is the captain. Virat Kohli is in fine form and Suryakumar Yadav is in good touch. Two left-arm pacers are going, who can bowl in powerplay. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are going," said Raina while speaking at an event of Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh's Chhattisgarh Premier League (CPL).

 

"However, matches there are at 10:00 AM in the morning. The wickets are also drop-in. The team should get used to these wickets and conditions as soon as possible," Raina further said.

 

Raina also weighed in on the recent struggles of Hardik Pandya in IPL 2024. Mumbai Indians (MI) captain, faced harsh criticism for his performance as both a leader and an all-rounder in the IPL 2024. Under his captaincy, MI finished last in the points table, managing only 4 wins in 14 matches.
 

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"He has done really well (for India). Temporary poor form does not make someone bad. When he will perform well against Pakistan in the World Cup, everyone will praise him," Raina concluded.

 

Meanwhile, Team India are placed in Group A alongside familiar foes Pakistan, along with Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA. Their T20 World Cup campaign will start on June 5 against Ireland. 

 

India's T20 World Cup squad

Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan

 

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