Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has reflected on the intense training culture and discipline that helped transform India into one of the world’s strongest fielding sides during his playing career.
Raina said the foundation of his fielding abilities was laid through rigorous practice sessions, particularly during his early years with Uttar Pradesh. He recalled that players were encouraged to arrive early for training, with fielding treated as a key part of preparation rather than a routine exercise.
Speaking to JioStar, Raina said the sessions involved specialised drills for high catches, ground fielding, slip catches and direct-hit practice. He credited former Uttar Pradesh captain Mohammad Kaif for setting high standards and motivating players to improve their throwing accuracy.
Raina also highlighted the influence of senior players such as Kaif and Yuvraj Singh, saying their commitment on the field inspired him to raise his own standards. He recalled sharing the field with them for India and said their coordination helped create a dependable defensive unit.
The former left-hander also revisited a memorable incident during an ODI in Sydney against Australia, where he collided with Irfan Pathan while completing a catch off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling.
Raina said he was completely focused on the ball while chasing David Warner’s top edge and was unaware that Pathan was also moving towards the catch from fine leg. Although Raina completed the catch, Pathan suffered a rib injury in the collision.
The incident, according to Raina, reinforced the importance of communication among fielders and the need to clearly call for catches to avoid injuries.
Raina said the lessons learned from those demanding training sessions, along with the guidance of experienced teammates, played a major role in shaping his career as one of India’s most reliable fielders.