Test cricket is the only thing that counts. One-day and T20 performances are fine, but you rate a player by his status as a Test player. By the time I finish, I want to play at least 80 Tests and be known for my achievements in Tests. – Suresh Raina
I will never date an actor or a model. My family will never accept her. We are a middle class family, and an actress will never be able to gel with us. – Suresh Raina
I am very close to my family. I have learned a lot from my father. He used to tell me to be honest with yourself and not to argue with your seniors. You don’t need to be involved in any quarrel, as sometimes you need to remain silent intelligently. – Suresh Raina
At home in Ghaziabad, everyone is a pure vegetarian. In fact, when I want to cook non-veg there, my mum shoos me out on the terrace where I have my cooking utensils. I’m told categorically that whatever non-veg or egg, etc., that I have to cook, I should do upstairs and not enter her kitchen at all. – Suresh Raina
I have always maintained that if you work hard, it won’t go waste, as recognition will come to you at some stage, whether in studies or sports. You need to have good intentions and intent to move ahead in life as well as in sports. – Suresh Raina
I have time only for cricket, and when I am not playing, I love to be at home, chat with my family, do puja with them, call for some yummy paani puri, etc. Also I love to cook. I can make dal, sabji and chicken! But, at home everybody’s a vegetarian, so I can’t cook non-veg at home! – Suresh Raina
I like to keep most of my bats. I think I have about 250 bats, including my first – which cost Rs 2000 – a gift from my dad in 1998, when I moved to the hostel. – Suresh Raina
It’s very difficult to fill the shoes of somebody like Rahul Bhai. He has set the bench mark for a generation to come. However, it’s our responsibility to carry forward his legacy. – Suresh Raina
I am getting better at facing the bouncers, as I know opposition tries to use those as a weapon against me. Yet, no one is perfect, and he takes time to master a particular thing. – Suresh Raina
I never have issues in handling the fame. I was in a boarding school, as I am from a middle-class family. We didn’t have a lot of money, so we all learned to respect money and understood its real value. – Suresh Raina
I used to practice at the hockey ground on synthetic surface while I was in the sports hostel, so Test cricket is certainly going to be a challenge for me. – Suresh Raina
My aim is to play Test matches. For me, there is a different feel of Test cricket as it tests your character. You come to know about your mental toughness, and most importantly, there is another level of satisfaction as a player. – Suresh Raina
I will go for a simple girl who’s completely in tune with me and who gets along with my family. – Suresh Raina
My days in hostel were tough. I was ragged by my seniors. We were asked to wash their dirty clothes, do their odd jobs, etc. When it came to eating, we would be often given burnt rotis and milk that had awful odour. But, never once did I call home. I knew if I had to become a tough cricketer, I would have to handle the pressure. – Suresh Raina
As a sportsman, you always play to win. Having said that, it’s not possible to win every day. There will be days when you will do well and there will be days you won’t. – Suresh Raina
I’ve always wanted to buy a sports car. After the England series, I went up to my dad and said that I wanted to buy a sports car and got his consent. On his birthday, I surprised him by bringing it home. It’s a Porsche Boxter Limited Edition, and my family was thrilled to see it. – Suresh Raina
I am doing everything to be fit – like not eating oily food, doing yoga, gymming and consulting my doc. – Suresh Raina
Chennai is a beautiful city; I love the roads here and also know the routes. But one tip for car/bike enthusiasts – your life is most important; so, drive safe! – Suresh Raina
Celebration is big for me. From my younger days, when I used to win mementos while playing basketball, I have always believed in sharing my success. It has to be there. It lifts the energy levels of the entire side if you are positive and vocal when a wicket falls. – Suresh Raina
When you’re successful, there will be friends, people, VIPs rallying around you. When you’re down and out, you’re all alone. That’s why it’s important to be a good person. Because whether you’re a successful cricketer or not can always change, but the respect you earn by being the person you are stays with you. – Suresh Raina
For me, fielding is everything – it is a passion that comes from within. You can get a bad ball while you bat, and your bowling may not always be up there, but you are completely in control of how well you field. – Suresh Raina
If you’re successful, it’s important to enjoy it! I love shopping for clothes, branded clothes. I love shopping in England, Dubai. I like to travel whenever I can. – Suresh Raina
As and when I get into a relationship, I’ll flaunt her to the world. I’m looking for a soul mate, and in any case, I’m not very much for casual dating. I’m such a simple guy away from this dating-shating business. – Suresh Raina
