India's in-form batsman believes Dhoni's team can successfully defend their T20 World Cup title
India's in-form batsman believes Dhoni's team can successfully defend their T20 World Cup title
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He missed out on glory in 2007 ICC World Twenty20 championship owing to injury, but as India gears up to defend their world title there is no doubt that Suresh Raina will be among the key players.
He is the team's in-form batsman with a highly successful Indian Premier League outing ending last month. The Chennai Super Kings player scored the most runs among Indian players with an aggregate of 434 in 14 games at a strike-rate of 140.90.
Raina has started the World Cup preparation in impressive fashion. He was India's best batsman on view during the warm-up game against New Zealand at Lord's on Monday when he topscored with 45 off 24 balls.
"The team performed very well in the last World Cup; it was a big achievement. This time too our team is full of youngsters. If we maintain a positive mindset and the preparation is good there is no reason for us not to do well this time too," said Raina during a chat with MiD DAY at the IPL tournament last week.
Good touch
"I am batting well, hitting the ball well and if we can do well at the World Cup, it will be great," the left-hand batsman said.
In 2007, Raina missed on being a part of cricket history because of a knee injury. He was nursing the injury at home and saw Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men lift the inaugural T20 World Cup on TV. "I missed out on playing in 2007 as I was injured. It was a big disappointment, but then I played a lot of domestic matches, gained in experience and got my confidence back," he said.
Raina occupies the all-important No 3 spot in Dhoni's batting line-up and has a big responsibility to shape the innings.
"No 3 is a very crucial position from where you set the tone for the innings. The senior players have encouraged me a lot and have told me to take my time and play," he said.
The striking feature of Raina's batting is his big hitting with straight bat strokes. "We have been playing so much, practicing so much, so you keep on improving," the Uttar Pradesh player says in his unassuming style.
Raina's batting was a joy to watch during the IPL and he said he is fortunate to be sharing the dressing room with such fine left-hand batsmen like Matthew Hayden (the highest scorer of the IPL), Stephen Fleming and Mike Hussey.
"Definitely it has helped to talk to Hayden. We had other left-handers like Fleming, Hussey and got to learn a lot from them. You learn from their professional approach, and if we can implement it will help."
Test ambition
He has proved himself in the shorter version of the game. A fine showing at the World T20 Cup, will enhance his chances in getting a break into the real man's game Test cricket. And, Raina cannot wait for the big break.
"I am looking forward to getting a break in Test cricket. It is my dream and whenever I get a chance I will definitely prove myself."
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