Former India batter Suresh Raina has reflected on the rigorous training standards and discipline that transformed India's fielding into one of the strongest aspects of the national side, saying a culture of relentless practice played a key role in producing some of the country's finest fielders.

Speaking about his formative years, Raina said fielding sessions during his time were far more intensive than they are today. He credited the environment in the Uttar Pradesh dressing room, particularly under Mohammad Kaif, for helping him develop into one of India's most reliable fielders.
"We had created a culture of fielding. All the players used to come in half an hour early because fielding was always the first part of our training sessions. It wasn't like many fielding sessions today, where you take a few catches and feel the job is done. Back then, we would practise high catches separately, do ground fielding separately, slip catches separately, and parallel catches. We would also place a single stump in the middle. As Kaif bhai was always our UP captain, he used to say, 'You'll only make the playing XI if you hit the stump with a direct throw," Raina told JioStar.

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Raina also acknowledged the influence of legendary South African fielder Jonty Rhodes, while praising former India stars Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh for setting high standards in the field.
"It's always special to be appreciated by Jonty Rhodes, who has always been our idol. In UP, I learned so much from Kaif bhai and otherwise, Yuvraj Singh, because they used to field at point and cover, while I stayed at mid-off. In all the matches we played for India together, we never let the ball go past us,” he added.

The former left-handed batter also revisited one of the most memorable moments of his international career — a painful collision with Irfan Pathan during an ODI in Sydney while attempting to complete a catch.

Raina recalled chasing a top edge off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling to David Warner, unaware that Pathan was also running in from fine leg for the same catch.
“I remember a match in Sydney during our tour of Australia. Jadeja was bowling when David Warner played a sweep shot and got a top edge. I was stationed at mid-wicket, while Irfan bhai started running in from fine leg. As I ran, I was only watching the ball. I had no idea where Irfan bhai was. All I could see was the ball, the lights, the crowd and the tricolour flags behind it. As soon as I completed the catch, I collided with Irfan bhai.
“For a split second, I thought that if my head had hit his body, either he would have been seriously hurt or I would have. Thankfully, only my shoulder hit him and I held on to the catch. Irfan bhai, however, suffered a rib fracture. He was badly hurt, and that taught us an important lesson, whoever's catch it is, should call,” Raina stated.

According to Raina, the incident highlighted the importance of communication between fielders, a lesson he carried throughout his career. He said the demanding training routines, guidance from senior players and experiences on the field collectively shaped his reputation as one of India's finest fielders. (IANS)