Print this article

I am happy that we have McCullum in Gujarat Lions team: Raina

February 20, 2016 17:02 IST

Gujarat Lions owner Keshav Bansal (left) and team captain Suresh Raina

IMAGE: Gujarat Lions owner Keshav Bansal (left) and team captain Suresh Raina at the unveiling of the official team jersey for IPL Season 9 in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI

On a day when Brendon McCullum broke the record for the fastest Test hundred, Suresh Raina said he couldn't be happier to have the Kiwi swashbuckler in his IPL team Gujarat Lions even though he wants an Indian to breach the milestone.

Asked if McCullum breaking a 30-year-old record of Sir Viv Richards (which he jointly shared with Misbah ul Haq) will make it easier for new generation of batsmen to have a shot at glory, Raina said:"I am very happy for McCullum but I hope that somebody from India can do it.

"I am happy that we have McCullum in Gujarat Lions team. He is a fearless cricketer and we want players who will be playing fearless cricket."

Gujarat Lions owner Keshav Bansal and team captain Suresh Raina

IMAGE: Gujarat Lions owner Keshav Bansal and team captain Suresh Raina at the unveiling of the official team jersey for IPL Season 9 in New Delh. Photograph: PTI

Speaking at the launch of the Gujarat Lions' team jersey, Raina said captaincy is "just a designation" for him as he does not look at it as a vehicle for something bigger (Indian captaincy in limited overs format).

"Captaincy is just a designation for me. It is the performance that wins you matches. It is all about how one performs on a particular day.

"My job is simple. I have to deliver for the Gujarat Lions.

"Right now, the focus is on Asia Cup, then we have the World T20 and then comes the IPL. We will have a camp in Gujarat with domestic players before IPL. It is important to have a balanced team with good domestic players."