Cricket Pulse

Suresh Raina’s consistent batting displays in the ODI series have not only helped him to cement his place in the side, but also helped his teammates to successfully counter the Muralitharan-Mendis factor.

“I was watching their hand, especially Murali and Mendis. My plan was that if I can read their hand I can play well. That was the gameplan,” Raina said after Wednesday’s match.

“Since we had lost the final of the Asia Cup in Pakistan, we were very keen to do well in Sri Lanka. We put up a good show here.”

He also spoke highly about the IPL and the role it has played in rejuvenating his career.”I think the batsmen have got a lot of support after the IPL matches. I was able to improve a lot during the IPL. I was able to learn a lot. The hesitation in playing big shots also seems to have gone. I can read and play according to the situation now. I think after playing with the senior players the tempo has been set up,” Raina said.

When asked to comment on his understanding with Dhoni, Raina said:”Whenever we are at the nets or batting together, he tells me how to plan. He is such a class reader of the game. He always plays with responsibility. We are able to learn from him while batting with him. It is good that we got good partnership in two matches. We have one more match coming up. Hopefully we will win 4-1.

“I am getting into a good shape now and all thanks to the people who gave me support, like our coaches Robin Singh, Gary Kirsten, Venkatesh Prasad and others. We had lots of good practice sessions in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. So we have come up with a good team now. Hopefully we will maintain the same intensity in international matches,” Raina added.