When he gets going with the bat fielders are reduced to mere spectators. On his day he can blunt the most daunting of bowling attacks without breaking a sweat. And he makes the brutality look beautiful with his nonchalant elegance. On the field he is a livewire whose energy rubs off on the others. In the dressing room he oozes positivity. But what is Suresh Raina like as a person? What are his favourite things and what inspires him? Here is a sneak peek into one of India’s most talented batsmen’s mind.
Favourite Song: ‘Sukoon Mila’ from the movie Mary Kom
Favourite Movie: Fault In Our Stars and Cast Away
Favourite Musician/Band: Maroon 5 and Band of Brothers.
Favourite Holiday destination: Greece and Italy
Favourite Cuisine: Kashmiri, South Indian and Italian.
Favourite Mother’s recipe: Kadhi chawal
Favourite Fictional Character (cartoon or any character from a movie): Mowgli and Mr. Bean
Favourite Sportsperson outside cricket: Lionel Messi
Favourite cricketer: Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni
Best cricket buddy: Shikhar Dhawan
The go-to person for any advice on cricket: My coach SP Krishnan
Mantra for life: Be yourself.
If I weren't a cricketer I would be: Basketball player
Favourite attire: Casuals ... Would put on a jeans and T-shirt anytime.
Favourite cricket venue: Chennai
Favourite book: Any motivational book with inspiring stories.
A childhood cricket memory that is still fresh in my mind: When Sachin Tendulkar scored back to back hundreds in Sharjah in 1998. I vividly remember both his innings and the way he dominated the Aussies. It was truly inspirational.
Celebrity crush: Jessica Alba
Favorite Super hero: Superman
Dream car: Bentley