Raina has to pass through fitness parameters before getting back into team, says Sridhar

Sridhar
Team India’s fielding coach R Sridhar.

Kolkata: Out of favour cricketer Suresh Raina has to pass through the fitness parameters before getting back into the Indian team, says fielding coach R Sridhar. The left hander last played for India in a T20I against England in Bengaluru in February 2017. But issues of fitness multiplied by poor form in domestic season haven’t done him any good. Raina these days has been sweating it out in the gymnasium and has been out of scheme as far as selection in the Indian team is concerned.

“Suresh Raina is a fabulous fielder. Once he (Raina) is through with the fitness parameters he will be very much part of the whole process,” said Sridhar talking to reporters after the end of second days play at the Eden Gardens.

Another cricketer who finds himself out of favour is Yuvraj Singh. Talking about the fitness parameters, Sridhar explained, I totally agree. The fitter the player, the better will be the results on the field. What could be a stunning diving catch to somebody who is not fit could be easy for somebody who is fit. Somebody running three threes could be easy for him but one who is not fit maybe run twos…so all these things add up to the bigger picture. The whole endeavour is to have the 11 fittest players on the field which in turn will give us 11 brilliant fielders on the pitch.”

Talking about the rain curtailed second days play, Sridhar said, “Days like these is what brings the team together. They spend a lot of time in the dressing room with each other and when the team is in bit of a adverse position these kind of days are wonderful for the team, I always feel.”
Sridhar said if there is full day’s play in the next three days, a result is certain.
“Going by the conditions we have at the Eden Gardens, if we get 270 overs of play I think that should be interesting as this Test match will have a result.”