''The reason we won the 2007 and 2011 World Cups'': Raina compares his era with the current one and highlights the areas of focus for India

Suresh Raina may not have been selected for the Indian Premier League mega audition, but he will always be remembered for being one of India’s finest middle-order batsmen. MS Dhoni’s left-handed batsman was a key member of World Cup-winning squads in both 2007 (ICC T20 World Cup) and 2011 (ICC 50-over World Cup).

A recent interaction with The Indian Express at Idea Exchange earlier this year revealed the reasons behind the team’s poor performance at the World T20 last year, which was played in UAE and Oman. As Raina explained, the team’s triumph in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups was in large part due to the availability of multiple players who could bat and bowl. He cited examples of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, and himself. 
”It was Viru Paa (Sehwag), Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, as well as me who would bowl in the 2011 World Cup,” stated Raina. Shreyas Iyer is now improving his bowling skills. His efforts should continue. If that continues, Rohit will be in good shape. In addition, Raina suggested that batters do their utmost to contribute to the side with the ball. 

”In the recent South Africa series, Aiden Markram bowled six to eight overs upfront and the main bowlers came in later. India should pay attention to this. Yusuf Pathan is also good at bowling. Rohit was also good at bowling before his injury. Therefore, at least six-eight overs in the nets will need to be bowled regularly,” he concluded.