Suresh Raina, a vital cog in MS Dhoni’s juggernaut

While every New Zealand player feared Virender Sehwag’s destructive abilities ever since the tour began, the Kiwi cricket buffs somehow found another ‘villain’. It was the feisty southpaw Suresh Raina who has come down heavily on more than one occasion inspiring a local daily run a headline ‘Raina, Raina go away’.

Injuries and bad form had plagued a promising Raina’s career. But to prove that he was not a flash in the pan, he scored runs in tons in the domestic season and till now has made a successful comeback. On the current tour of New Zealand, the UP lad has scored runs irrespective of his batting position.

He flagged off the Kiwi tour anchoring the Indian innings in the first Twenty20 game with 61 off 43 balls. He carried on his form to the first ODI in Napier blasting away 66 runs off 39 balls. “I am comfortable with the changes in batting order. As long as the team is winning, I am happy with whether I am playing three, five or six,” Raina said.

He attributes his success to his ability to adapt to the conditions.
He confessed that this tour has been the toughest in his career. But it has been a learning experience too. “I think it is really important to prepare yourself before the game. The ball does a bit initially. So you have to hang in there for a while. Also, you have to select your bowler, read the circumstances, your areas, sort out your game plan before stepping on the pedal,” said Raina. The left-hander picked Iain O’Brien hammering him for three sixes after he dismissed Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag initially, therefore, not allowing him to dominate any further.

Raina feels that if the batting order clicks the way it has till now and the rain God permits, then his team stands a good chance in the third ODI in Christchurch. “If it doesn’t rain, I am confident we will do well,” said Raina. He particularly praised the opening pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag saying that it’s a good combination for them at the moment.

With his ball-smacking abilities and athletic fielding, Raina has a lot to contribute to the team. But he has earned the berth the hard way. “When I was on my way back from injury, the team was packed. Robin (Uthappa) and Rohit (Sharma) were around. I didn’t play in Australia. I played domestic cricket and worked very hard on my game,” said Raina.

But like a true blue cricketer, he wants to cease the moment. “This is my opportunity. I feel I can do better. Though the focus is now on one-dayers, I am looking forward to Test cricket. I will give 100 per cent to the side when I get the chance,” he signed off.