MUMBAI: Suresh Raina’s mother, Pervesh hails from Dharmashala and the winner of the Man of the Match award in the last Mohali ODI against England is excited to play at his mother-land on Sunday.
Suresh Raina’s ancestors are from Rainawari, in Jammu & Kashmir. His father, Trilok Chand, the rertired military officer, belongs to Kashmiri Pandit.
The family settled in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (near New Delhi). However, Raina moved to Lucknow, to attend the specialist government Sports College.
“He was good in studies and never failed to bring second class in the examinations. Being a lovely child, he was popular among other college teachers”.
His childhood coach, Deepak Sharma says, “Suresh Raina has gentleman’s attitude. He could not have disputed umpire’s decision in the last ODI. He was preparing to leave wicket immediately after his catch was held by Cook. He is moving in on Sachin Tendulkar’s footsteps”.
“His eight year elder brother, Dinesh is a teacher in the school and the family is well-disciplined”, the coach adds.
“Suresh Raina started playing serious cricket at the age of 14. He has won many trophies”.
Raina made his ODI debut in 2005 against Sri Lanka at the age of 18. However, his Test debut came only five years later, in 2010, against the same opposition. Raina was also a part of India’s 2011 World Cup winning team. He may be the rare Indian player to have scored a century in all formats of international cricket.
“He is coming from a simple and well-disciplined middle class family and never enjoys late-night parties”, Deepak Sharma added.
“He is very polite and always extends help to other boys in other sports”.
“He has been working very hard to retain his place in the Indian team”, the coach and his brother, Dinesh Raina added.