Determined to make a strong start in the next domestic season, India batsman Suresh Raina is presently undergoing a month's high intensity training on the synthetic pitches of Amsterdam Cricket Club (ACC) in the Dutch capital.
Currently on vacation with wife Priyanka in The Netherlands, he is training with the Dutch national team which recently qualified for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, to be held in India next year.
"With the new season around the corner I am determined, hungry and eager to play the highest form of the game for India," the 28-year-old left-handed middle-order batsman said from Amsterdam.
"It is wonderful to be able to train with total intensity with the Dutch national team since I want to hit the ground running when the domestic season starts with a series of tournaments across the country, in Chennai, Chandigarh and Hyderabad," he added.
Raina, who will return to India later this month, is looking forward to having a good start to the domestic season, starting with the ongoing All-India Buchi Babu tournament.
In Amsterdam, he is working on fitness and spending quality time in the nets facing Dutch medium fast bowlers, including Paul Van Meekeren, on synthetic pitches.
Besides, he also spends an hour daily on fielding sessions.
He was impressed by the facilities provided to him by the Amsterdam Cricket Club.
"I am thankful to the Dutch Cricket Board (KNCB) and Amsterdam Cricket Club for letting me use their admirable facilities.
"I also thank the Dutch medium fast bowlers for giving me the opportunity to practice against them on synthetic pitches," he said.
