Dhoni owes his career to Greg Chappell, reveals Suresh Raina – Cricket News Update

Indian batsman, Suresh Raina has stated that India’s former mentor, Greg Chappell always encouraged the selection of the youngsters in the side during his coaching stint.

Meanwhile, the left-handed batsman, who captained India’s limited over team against West Indies earlier this year, revealed that the former Aussie batsman always preferred the young players over senior folks, which helped Mahendra
Singh Dhoni to find a place in the national side.

“Greg Chappell has always ensured that youngsters get their due in the Indian team. And it is because of him only that the likes of RP Singh, (MS) Dhoni, Murali Karthik and others could able to play in the Indian team,” the Uttar
Pradesh-born said while talking to the media, who has served India in 15 Tests, and 130 ODIs.

Chappell was appointed as India’s head coach in 2004/05 after New Zealand’s batsman, John Wright’s successful stint as a mentor with the Men in Blue.

However, the former Australian batman failed to build up a pleasant relationship with the Indian players.

The 63-year-old did not want Sourav Ganguly to captain the side at that time, as Chappell was not satisfied with him.

The Chappell- Ganguly rifts compelled the national selection committee to axe India’s former skipper from the team, considering his unsatisfactory performance.

In the meantime, the Indian media and the former cricketers slammed the former Aussie player over forcing the Board of Control for Cricket in India to sideline Ganguly.

However, the way Raina admired Chappell’s role to help the Indian cricket indicates that India’s former mentor always wanted the young guns to play for the country.

Furthermore, Raina, who has scored 710 Test and 3172 ODI runs, also applauded the Indian batting maestro, Rahul Dravid.

According to him the legendary batman always motivates him to perform 100% for the country.

“He is a very focused and disciplined player. You would never see him talking lightly. I really owe to him for showing faith in my abilities. I was down and out when I was bowled by Murli on the very first bowl that I faced in
ODI cricket. In the evening, Rahul came to me and told me to relax as I have still long way to go,” he added in same interview.