Suresh Raina sets out to find talent in J&K after bidding adieu to international cricket

Srinagar: In order to provide opportunity to the underprivileged kids of Jammu and Kashmir for cricket, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has ‘volunteered to promote cricket’ in the erstwhile state.

In a letter addressed to Director General of Police (DGP) Kashmir Dilbagh Singh, Raina, who bid adieu to his playing career earlier, has said that he wants to give back to the game by doing his bit.

“I have etched a mark on the field of international cricket for 15 years, and thus I would like to make use of the knowledge and skills I learned over the years and pass it onto the next generation,” Raina says in a letter.

“My intention is to find out the talented youngsters from various parts of the state,” he added.

The cricket team of the erstwhile state have had high profile coaches with India legend Bishan Singh Bedi being in-charge of the team in 2012. Former India international Sunil Joshi was at the helm of affairs in 2014 while currently, the state team is handled by former India allrounder Irfan Pathan in a role as a mentor.

JK’s Rasik Salim Dar, who became the youngest player to debut for Mumbai Indian in 2019 IPL, was a product of Pathan’s cricket academy.

In the 2019 IPL auction, 18-year-old Abdul Samad was picked up by IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

An international cricketer Pervaiz Rasool, who not only represented the now-defunct Pune Warriors India in the IPL, but was the first and remains the only player from the state to have made an international appearance for India.