IPL 2017: A heartfelt open letter to Suresh Raina from an ardent fan

Dear Suresh Raina,

From the moment I watched you crack the first hundred in a T20 International by an Indian in the World T20 against South Africa, I knew India had found another batsman capable of changing the game with amazing batsmanship.

But you proved me wrong. Not only did you step up with the bat, but became a quintessential presence in the Indian limited-overs side as a dynamic fielder and a champion team player. You became omnipresent in the middle-order and was Dhoni's right hand.

That friendship and bond extended to the IPL, with you donning the main batsman's role in a Chennai Super Kings line-up, comparable to the Australian juggernaut of the early 20th century.

That IPL is your forte is well known all around the world. From becoming the first to play 150 IPL matches to being the highest run scorer in the league, you have revelled in the blitz of the T20 league.

A Suresh Raina fan rushed onto the Kanpur pitch during the game against Delhi Daredevils

You might remember how two days back a fan rushed onto the Kanpur pitch during the game against Delhi Daredevils. The fan wearing a jersey with your name imprinted on the back kneeled before you for an autograph. He represented every Indian fan who looks up in hope to see the Raina of IPL in the Indian Team.

The manner in which you celebrated Virat Kohli's hundred against Pakistan in the 2015 World Cup even before he realised he had reached a landmark shows that you’re a team man. An average team united by a strong dressing room bond is stronger than a forcefully put together bunch of highly talented players.

Let me tell you that your fans in the country are at a low point now. You have missed out on a BCCI contract and a Champions Trophy berth as well.

So what has gone wrong?

Raina’s short ball weakness leaves him two-minded

Obviously, India feel that they have moved on from you to younger players in Manish Pandey, Kedhar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya. The selectors cannot be blamed either. Your recent performances do not scream out for a berth in the limited overs side.

While you have been pretty good for Gujarat this year, as a close analyst of cricket, I could find several areas which have pegged you back. The short ball woes haven't entirely disappeared and in the process of expecting the bumper from quick bowlers, you have left yourself vulnerable to full balls.

Remember how Pat Cummins broke through your defence two days back? It is a perfect example of how much your mind is muddled due to the weakness against the short ball. Cummins was clever enough to not bowl what you expect and instead, the full ball sent your stumps wheeling.

There are quite a few things you may need to sort out before thinking of a place in the Indian side. Let me tell you that the door isn't closed yet. While the new gen players have made a case for themselves, for a talented and fit team player like you, the door is never closed.

I will list down a few factors that I personally feel are holding you back from performing to the fullest at the moment.

- Work on playing the real quick bowlers. That bowlers like Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah have been able to work you over is definitely not a good sign. Do not just concentrate on the short balls. Free up your mind and work on playing the ball on merit.

- Do you realise that you have been run-out twice in this IPL and that leadership has possibly affected your fielding and batting? That you had to lead an average team is understandable but not the bizarre choice of playing too many opening batsmen in the top 5. Probably you should leave the captaincy to concentrate on your batting in order to stage a comeback to the national side.

- I remember a cracking counter-attacking innings you played for the Chennai Super Kings in a game against Kings XI Punjab in 2014. CSK lost the high scoring game but the 25 ball 87 you made stunned Punjab.

Where has that free minded soul gone? Let go of the pressure and play your natural game.

At a time you are facing a personal low, the only thing I want to convey to you as a fan is to be yourself. Work hard towards overcoming your weaknesses. Believe in yourself, bring back the thirst for success and unleash the free minded game that you are known for. That India call-up is never far off for you. Good luck!

From a sincere admirer.