Ranji Trophy and Beyond - Domestic Mattai Pandhu viLayAttu

2.45 pm Jadeja goes to tea on 279

If he gets 21 more, Ravindra Jadeja will become the first man, I repeat, the first man to make three triple centuries in the Ranji Trophy. VVS Laxman has two, so does Wasim Jaffer. Only seven batsmen have achieved the feat before in first-class cricket. Saurashtra are 464 for 6, the next-highest score is Shitanshu Kotak's 68. Staggering, plain simple staggering. Someone check if he is human.

Wizzy wrote:Rajkot/NH/triple/rinse/repeat

Wizzy wrote:having said that Raina is struggling even in Ranjis and he was Ind's mainstay before cancer survivor Yuvi made a comeback . given our no.6 batting frailties/lack of spinner who could dart his way to glory..Jadeja might get to play if Ind went on to lose the eden test.

TN is making a meal of declarations. Just, Learn, From, Maharashtra.

Wizzy wrote:

Raina refuses to declare and piles up cheap runs

It is no secret that Suresh Raina wants to play Test cricket on regular basis. He is scoring runs in domestic matches, working hard on his fitness and even hired a personal coach Praveen Amre to improve his batting techniques.

An unbeaten century against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy on Tuesday was perhaps his way of telling the national selectors that he is keen to be part of the Indian Test squad.

Missed out in the first innings, Raina, who opened the Uttar Pradesh's second innings, made amends by hitting a chanceless undefeated 105 to stake his claim for the Test spot. Although, he is hungry to regain his position, he is not in a hurry and ready to wait patiently.

"Today's century was important for me. I am determined to score heavily everytime I go out to bat and be ready for national call. The main reason to promote myself up the order was to get good batting practice and put up a big score against my name," Raina told TOI after the four-day Ranji Trophy match ended in a draw at the VCA Civil Lines ground.

The Uttar Pradesh skipper believes he has a technique to be a good opener and enjoys batting in the top-order.

"I think I can open the innings in every format of the game. I can defend very well and whenever the situation demands, I can play my shots. Gary (Kirsten) always wanted me to open the innings. He felt that I can do the job perfectly. I had done well at No. 3 slot for India (in ODIs and Twenty20s) and in the IPL and given a chance can open in any format," said Raina.

Despite performing decently in the 17 Test matches he played so far, he could not cement his place in the star-studded Indian middle-order.

"I did fairly well in my last Test series against New Zealand. My place was taken by Yuvraj (Singh) and now Ravinder (Jadeja). Both Yuvi and Jadeja got chance because they did well in domestic tournaments. There is a healthy competition and it's good for the game. I am eager and hopeful to make comeback into the Test team but before the next Australia Test series, there are 8 ODIs and few Twenty20 matches to be played. My focus will be to do well in those matches," said the Raina.

The 26-year-old supported the struggling Indian team and optimistic about winning the final Nagpur Test.

"I still firmly back Team India. I am sure they will have brilliant five days of cricket at Jamtha and will level the series. Sachin, Mahi and all other batsmen will come good," said Raina.

The Uttar Pradesh skipper believes he has a technique to be a good opener and enjoys batting in the top-order.

"I think I can open the innings in every format of the game. I can defend very well and whenever the situation demands, I can play my shots. Gary (Kirsten) always wanted me to open the innings. He felt that I can do the job perfectly. I had done well at No. 3 slot for India (in ODIs and Twenty20s) and in the IPL and given a chance can open in any format," said Raina.

plum wrote:True - the chances given to Vijay(Although much less than what Yuvi got in tests) have ensured that no Tamil playe will get a decent run for another 50 years.

Kaaling wrote:Accepted that Vijay got the most chances out of TN brigade and it is very tough to defend him. But he only failed in an away WI series where batting was very difficult (only Dravid and Laxman were scoring there, I think). Compare that to the number of chances that Raina/Yuvi got.

Anyways we don't have to worry about Vijay's future as he is now associated with Rhiti .