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Suresh Raina Recalls Australia’s Ugly 2011 World Cup Sledging Ahead Of World Cup 2023 Final

image-lp3vikbmSuresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh after defeating AUS at the 2011 World Cup (AP)

Former cricketer Suresh Raina has hyped up the forthcoming World Cup 2023 final between hosts India and Australia. The 2011 World Cup alumni spoke about Australia’s champion mentality, and also signified Team India’s current form and predicted an entertaining finale between the two white-ball titans.

The legendary Indian batsman also recalled memories of the last time these two nations collided in a World Cup knockout fixture, where Raina himself orchestrated a match-winning number for his side alongside Yuvraj Singh in Ahmedabad back in March 2011.

Raina recalls 2011 epic, hypes up upcoming final

Suresh Raina played a crucial role in India’s tense win over Australia at the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal in Ahmedabad. The dynamic southpaw stitched 74 match-winning runs with Yuvraj Singh against the then defending champions, all while countering the likes of Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson.

While speaking with ANI on the eve of the 2023 World Cup final between the same two nations, and at the same venue, Raina recalled his 2011 quarterfinal memories and revealed how Australia used sledging as a ploy to break his and Yuvraj Singh’s rhythm at the time. He said:

“I remember they (Australia) sledged us many times and even Brad Haddin came in front of me while I took a run, but we kept calm and focused. Yuvraj and I stitched up a partnership, though we didn't require lots of runs we still had pressure to win, but, at the same time we also had to play aggressive cricket.”

Suresh Raina believes that while the current Indian team is dangerous and clicking together in all aspects of the game, Rohit Sharma and co. cannot afford to take Australia lightly owing to their late insurgency in the tournament.

The much-awaited World Cup 2023 final will be played at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 9.