Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Suresh Raina Urges Test Cricket Path for Young Talent
Suresh Raina believes Rishabh Pant can become very successful in one-day and T20 cricket.
Pant is already an important player for India in Test matches.
Raina also thinks young players such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be encouraged to play Tests.
Sooryavanshi is only 15 years old.
Raina said it is important to know whether the young batter wants to play the longest format.
He also said coaches, state associations and Indian Premier League owners have a role in guiding players.
Raina believes Abhishek Sharma may also be good enough for Test cricket.
He did not say that Sooryavanshi will definitely play for India, only that he has the potential.
Suresh Raina called Rishabh Pant his favourite player and backed him to succeed in white-ball cricket and the Indian Premier League.
Pant has scored 3,725 runs in 52 Tests, including eight centuries and 21 half-centuries.
Pant recently made 168 runs in three innings during India’s 1-0 Test-series win over Sri Lanka.
Raina said Abhishek Sharma could succeed in Test cricket and that 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should consider the format.
Raina questioned whether coaches, state associations and Indian Premier League owners are encouraging young players to pursue Test cricket.
- Who
- Former India batter Suresh Raina discussed Rishabh Pant, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma.
- What
- Raina backed Pant in white-ball cricket and urged greater encouragement for young players to pursue Test cricket.
- When
- The article does not specify when Raina made the comments.
- Where
- Raina made the remarks on Aakash Chopra’s YouTube show.
- Why
- He wants coaches, state associations and Indian Premier League owners to keep Test cricket in young players’ plans.
- Rishabh Pant’s Test record
- 3,725 runs in 52 Tests, with eight centuries and 21 half-centuries.
- Pant’s recent Test performance
- 168 runs in three innings at an average of 56.00 in India’s series against Sri Lanka.
- India-Sri Lanka Test result
- India won the two-match series 1-0.
- Pant’s recent T20I appearance
- Against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on July 28, 2024.
- Pant’s recent ODI appearance
- Against Sri Lanka in Colombo on August 7, 2024.
- Young talent mentioned
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is 15 years old; Raina also identified Abhishek Sharma as a potential Test player.
- Raina’s concern
- He questioned whether coaches, state associations and Indian Premier League owners are promoting Test cricket to young players.