Even as the Indian captain MS Dhoni tried to analyse India’s heavy defeat to Australia in the opening ODI of the series, he revealed that the home team were committed to continuing the experiment of using Suresh Raina as their No 4 batsman, with one eye of their strategy for the 2015 World Cup.
This explained the reason why Raina came in ahead of the usual No 4 Yuvraj Singh in Pune.
Dhoni said that Raina would play in the number 4 spot for some while, as it was important that the side finds an alternative, and back up to Yuvraj Singh, who is their only No.4 at the moment, who although in good form at the present time. can be prone to periods of great inconsistency.
India are confident that they have alternatives for the rest of their batting line up, with this one important exception.
Dhoni’s argument is completely logical, and is typical of such a forward thinking player and leader, and why he is so vital to the whole Indian cause.
While Yuvraj has successfully made a second comeback since recovering from cancer, it is uncertain as to how his form will hold up. Though Dhoni certainly considers him to be his first choice at this stage of the proceedings.
Raina first had a chance to bat up the order back in 2008, when he played 13 successive innings in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India, during which time he posted century and four fifties, and averaged a commendable 40.
Raina certainly has ambition to bat up the order, and has to contend with seeing Virat Kohli come into the side and make the No.3 spot his own. Raina’s problem being that his death-over slogging is extremely effective, but it doesn’t produce the centuries that bring long term recognition.