Beaming, confident and quick to answer, Raina said, "I feel very proud to be leading this Indian team. We have recently won the World Cup and now we have a new coach in Duncan Fletcher and we hope to do well in the West Indies."
Raina agreed that it was a new milestone for him to lead a World Champion team in the West Indies. "It is a new turning point for me. But it is for the coach to give us ideas and on our part we will have to ensure that we implement them on the field. We will have to execute our plans well. It is important for us to do well in the West Indies and the good thing is that there are a lot of youngsters who are very keen. I am really happy with the team."
Raina ruled out the pressure factor affecting his boys. "We have played under pressure, so I don't think the boys will be affected by that. I would want the players to play their natural game and make the most of the opportunity."
About his own captaincy, Raina said he had learnt a lot from his earlier captains and will look to use that experience. "We went to the West Indies under (Rahul) Dravid for Tests in 2006 and again for the World Cup 2007. I have also learnt a lot from Kumble and Dhoni. I would want the team to stay positive, stay focused and gel."
On the absence of Chris Gayle in the West Indies squad for the T20 and the first two ODIs, Raina quipped, "He could be back after the first two ODIs, but we are ready for the challenge. We have been playing Tests, ODIs and T20s, but it is important for the players to keep up the intensity. It'll be a challenge and the boys are excited."
The young team should benefit from the veteran coach Fletcher, who expects the youngsters to graduate to a new level.
Raina ruled out the pressure factor affecting his boys. "We have played under pressure, so I don't think the boys will be affected by that. I would want the players to play their natural game and make the most of the opportunity."
About his own captaincy, Raina said he had learnt a lot from his earlier captains and will look to use that experience. "We went to the West Indies under (Rahul) Dravid for Tests in 2006 and again for the World Cup 2007. I have also learnt a lot from Kumble and Dhoni. I would want the team to stay positive, stay focused and gel."
On the absence of Chris Gayle in the West Indies squad for the T20 and the first two ODIs, Raina quipped, "He could be back after the first two ODIs, but we are ready for the challenge. We have been playing Tests, ODIs and T20s, but it is important for the players to keep up the intensity. It'll be a challenge and the boys are excited."
The young team should benefit from the veteran coach Fletcher, who expects the youngsters to graduate to a new level.
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