Is Suresh Raina Finally Making A Comeback To The Indian Squad?

Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh’s struggle with the Yo-Yo endurance test needs no introduction as the two players have made headlines in the past for failing to pass the test with benchmark scores. However, one of them might have a chance to make a comeback in the Indian Cricket team which is all set to travel to South Africa by the end of this month.

It’s been more than six months since Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh are said to have the potential of strengthening the inexperienced middle order but the fact that they have not been able to match the fitness levels pronounced by the BCCI and Chief Selection Committee, has kept them out of action for a long time.

The emphasis on fitness for selection in the current Indian team has seen the Yo-Yo test becoming a mandatory fitness test as it gauges the player’s ability to run for extended periods and tests their endurance levels. BCCI has set a minimum benchmark of 16.1 for a player to be considered for selection.

Yuvraj Singh, who had earlier failed the test, cleared it with a score of 16.3 before the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. Washington Sundar who also cleared the endurance test, was included in the ODI and T20I squads against the Lions, which paved the way for his debut.

Meanwhile, the Indian Cricket Team is enjoying a great run after the 2017 Champions Trophy and if we take a look at the pool of talent sitting on the bench, making their way back is not going to be an easy task for Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh.

However, just before India is about to leave for the South African tour, there has come a good news from the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru which might see one of these players featuring in the playing 11 sooner than later.

The southpaw has also cleared the much talked about ‘Yo-Yo’ test at the National Cricket Academy on Wednesday and being ecstatic Suresh Raina confirmed the news via his Twitter handle.

Suresh Raina on Twitter

Cleared my Yo-Yo & fitness test today, after days of hard work at #NCA! Received tremendous support from all the trainers, coaches & officials. Thank you all! It’s always so encouraging to train here at #NCA, motivates me to push my limits and bring the best out of me.

Suresh Raina’s played his last Internationals for India in February 2017 against England in Bengaluru during the T20I series, while his last ODI was against South Africa was in October 2015. Having passed the Yo-Yo test, the possibility of his selection in the limited-overs leg against South Africa has risen.

It might be a sigh of relief of Suresh Raina, however, as far as his selection/comeback is concerned, his poor form in the Ranji Trophy might come back to haunt him where Uttar Pradesh didn’t even make it through group stages.

Everything said and done, will Suresh Raina will be able to make a comeback to the Indian Squad soon and does the team in need to of his talent?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below.