NEW DELHI: World Cup-winning allrounder Suresh Raina on Friday picked two players who will be the trump cards for India in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup, scheduled to start on October 5 in Ahmedabad.
Raina was part of the MS Dhoni-led Indian side which won the World Cup in 2011 at home.
"I think Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav will be India's trump cards in the World Cup," Raina said, on the sideline of the inaugural edition of Times of India's 'Right to Excellence - Sports Summit 2023.'
He added that India have a very good middle-order and if top-order performs then we will win the World Cup.
"Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and [Shubman] Gill, agar woh teenon perform karengey then we have a very good middle-order. We have Hardik Pandya, we have Ishan Kishan, then we have [Ravindra] Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur. Top three have to fire, especially Virat Kohli. He is a gun player, he is batting pretty well. If he stays probably 35-40 overs, we wanna win the World Cup," Raina elaborated.
Raina recalled the World Cup winning moment in 2011 and termed it as his best memory.
"When we won the World Cup in 2011 at Wankhede, the whole stadium was full of fans and we were singing, I think 'Vande Mataram' that still has remained in my heart. It has been an amazing journey, God has been very kind. My first World Cup ever and we won it," Raina said with a smile.
Raina also left a warning for any opponent of India if the hosts reached the World Cup final: "Koi bhi aaye, dekhengey."
Raina also praised Rinku Singh, who recently made India debut after a sensational IPL season.
"He [Rinku Singh] is a good talent. He has been working really hard. He has a lot of self belief. He has a very good aura right now. He is enjoying his cricket. I wish him a lot of luck and happiness. Just keep performing the way he is doing," Raina said.
