Bangladesh Series Will be Good Preparation for England Tour, Says Suresh Raina
Stand-in India captain Suresh Raina said he would like to try and get in shape for England during the tour of Bangladesh but insisted it won't be an easy outing against the Tigers, who are known to be dangerous in their own backyard.
Suresh Raina, who is all set to lead the 15-member Indian squad to Bangladesh for a three-ODI series, said it would a good opportunity to prepare for a tougher England tour ahead.
"It will be a good opportunity for me before the England ODI series. I hope that if I do well (in Bangladesh) then I will go and perform well in the England one-day series also," said Raina.
The 27-year-old left-handed batsman, however, admitted that the Bangladesh series would not be easy for his "young team", as the hosts would be tough opponents in their backyard. Raina will lead the Indian team, which will be without star players like regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma among others.
"Bangladesh is a good team in its home ground. We didn't win in the Asia Cup and we lost the ICC World T20 final (held there). It will be a challenge for us.
"It is a young team. The good thing is that all the young players have done well. Left-arm (spinner) Akshar Patel has done well, (Ambati) Rayudu has done well, Manoj Tiwary has done well, (Wriddhiman) Saha has done well. Especially Robin Uthappa, he has been performing well in the ongoing IPL," said Raina Wednesday night after his Chennai Super Kings posted a seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians.
Stating that a captain is as good as his team, Raina said, "It is a good team. I think the captain is not so important but if you have good players. you can win matches."
Raina is currently playing in the IPL and said he hoped to take a few tips from Dhoni and CSK coach Stephen Fleming before leaving for Bangladesh. (Dhoni Praises CSK Bowlers for Good Show on Batting-Friendly Wicket)
"I am focusing now on the next two games of the IPL and then I will have 10-12 days to plan things out. I hope I will sit with MS and Flem on how to plan," he revealed.
India will play three ODIs against Bangladesh in Mirpur on June 15, 17 and 19.