Suresh Raina was discarded from Team India for over a year but he made a wonderful comeback during recently concluded T20 International series against South Africa. Virat Kohli gave his regular position of number three to Raina, who didn’t disappoint his captain and adjudged man of the match in the series decider at Newlands in Cape Town.

Suresh Raina was all praise for his skipper after winning the Man of the Match award and admitted that Kohli showed faith in him which increased his confidence.

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“The way Virat led the team over the last two-and-a-half months, he showed that he cares for each and every person. Batting at No.3, he has done brilliantly in T20 cricket but he gave me the opportunity to bat there and license to go after the bowlers and attack. He showed the faith in me,” he said during the post-match presentation.

He also thanked his wife for supporting him during the tough times when Raina was out of the national side. “I worked really hard over the last two years. Each and every session I was doing in the gym or on the field, I was just hoping when I am going to play for India again. God has been kind. Thanks to my wife, she really made me believe that I can go out and wear the India jersey again,” the 31-year-old added.

The southpaw will next play in Sri Lanka during the Nidahas Cup before going to represent Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. He is eyeing to make a comeback in the One Day International side as well and to seal his spot in the World Cup 2019.

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“This series was very important for me. From here on, we will play in Sri Lanka and then IPL. We have a lot of matches coming up. I have been part of the World Cup before and I have won it (in 2011). I have done well at No.5. It is just a matter of couple more games and I can show that I can do well and come back in the ODIs,” he concluded.