#IPL: "Just go there and smash", says Suresh Raina

Raina will captain Gujarat Lions this year. Image: sportingindia.com

Suresh Raina might not have been in his best form in the World T20 campaign, but when it comes to IPL he has always performed well. Raina is the leading run scorer in the IPl and has a very strong record. At a recent event, he expressed his intentions going in to the tournament.

"Just go there and smash," was Raina's answer when asked about his goals for IPL 9. "That's what I have done in the last few years, be it in the IPL or while playing for India, and I have done this really well over the years," Raina said

He was at his humorous best when asked about facing Dhoni in the IPL:

"Sir, 11 player khel rahe hai uske saath aur hamare against (There are 11 players playing in that team and against us). I am not competing against Dhoni. I am competing against seven teams, all of whom are balanced, and most of whom have done well in the past. But, I am lucky that we do have most of the players from CSK (who have played earlier)."


"I think I've got the responsibility of leading the side, but in the IPL, a captain is just a name. You need 11 good players in your side, and I do think we have match-winners in Gujarat Lions," Raina said.

"For the last eight years, youngsters shared a dressing room with world class players at Chennai Super Kings, so the next two years will also be very exciting. Playing for India, we reached the semi-finals at the World T20 and won the Asia Cup and the three T20Is earlier in Australia as well. The youngsters have improved on their cricket. This will be a very good platform for them to get better before representing their country in the future," Raina added.

Raina also answered when asked about the shift from Chennai Super kings set up to a whole new team - Gujarat Lions.

Suresh Raina with Gujarat lions team owner, Keshav Bansal. Image: Indian Express

“It will be difficult to get the connect in just two years. When you have been staying in your house for many years, and suddenly someone says that you have to live in another house for two years, it brings about a lot of challenges in life," Raina said.

"But you have to live, you have to sleep in your new house. I have played for CSK for eight years, learnt a lot of things from senior players. Gujarat never had a team before, so it would be a great opportunity for the Gujaratis (to come and support us). We have the best coaches and a few match-winning players like Bravo, McCullum, etc. This shows how much experience we have in the dressing room. IPL 9 will surely be very exciting. I hope all teams do well," Raina added.

Raina praised Dwayne Bravo for his efforts at the recently concluded World T20.

"Bravo will be playing in an altogether different team after the World T20 win. I met him in Mumbai and he was really happy. I am very lucky to have him in my team."