Raina needs to work on shot-selection

MS Dhoni hoped Suresh Raina would take some confidence from his attacking knock in India's defeat against New Zealand in Hamilton, going forward into the series.

The 27-year-old Raina has been a key player for India in limited overs cricket and has so far scored 29 half-centuries and three centuries from 188 ODIs at an average of 35.38. The southpaw's power hitting and brisk running between the wickets have helped India pull off several close victories.

However, poor form since the ODI series against Australia has raised several questions on one of Dhoni's most trusted lieutenants. Raina's weakness against the short ball has been exposed and with the World Cup just a year away, the team management must be getting worried about the middle-order batsman's performance.

However, Raina did come out all guns blazing in an aggressive 22-ball knock, when he creamed 35 runs and brought India close to victory with Dhoni in the second ODI against New Zealand in Hamilton. That has been reassuring enough for the Indian captain, who continued to support his Chennai teammate, despite Raina's depressing run for India with scores of 39, DNB, 17, DNB, 16, 28, 0, 23, 34, 14, 36, DNB, 18 and 35.
"Raina is someone who plays aggressive cricket but it is important to have control over your mind as to what are the areas you want to hit. If it is not there to be hit, what are the other options you have got?," said Dhoni.

"It is not like you want to try and hit something and even if is not there to be hit, you still go for a big shot."

Faced with a desperate situation, Raina attacked and almost reaped the rewards. His aggressive knock at number six could have proved fatal for New Zealand before he fell to Kyle Mills in the 37th over.

"That (picking bad deliveries to hit) was something he did particularly well in this innings. Hopefully he will gather plenty of confidence after this innings and carry on longer in this manner," said the Indian skipper.

Could this signal a prolonged outing for Raina at number six, then?

"We have to a see a few things. We cannot change opinions and strategies after one game. It was a certain kind of situation that demanded of him this particular innings. It was good," said Dhoni, as always keeping his cards close to the chest.MS Dhoni hoped Suresh Raina would take some confidence from his attacking knock in India's defeat against New Zealand in Hamilton, going forward into the series.

The 27-year-old Raina has been a key player for India in limited overs cricket and has so far scored 29 half-centuries and three centuries from 188 ODIs at an average of 35.38. The southpaw's power hitting and brisk running between the wickets have helped India pull off several close victories.

However, poor form since the ODI series against Australia has raised several questions on one of Dhoni's most trusted lieutenants. Raina's weakness against the short ball has been exposed and with the World Cup just a year away, the team management must be getting worried about the middle-order batsman's performance.

However, Raina did come out all guns blazing in an aggressive 22-ball knock, when he creamed 35 runs and brought India close to victory with Dhoni in the second ODI against New Zealand in Hamilton. That has been reassuring enough for the Indian captain, who continued to support his Chennai teammate, despite Raina's depressing run for India with scores of 39, DNB, 17, DNB, 16, 28, 0, 23, 34, 14, 36, DNB, 18 and 35.
"Raina is someone who plays aggressive cricket but it is important to have control over your mind as to what are the areas you want to hit. If it is not there to be hit, what are the other options you have got?," said Dhoni.

"It is not like you want to try and hit something and even if is not there to be hit, you still go for a big shot."

Faced with a desperate situation, Raina attacked and almost reaped the rewards. His aggressive knock at number six could have proved fatal for New Zealand before he fell to Kyle Mills in the 37th over.

"That (picking bad deliveries to hit) was something he did particularly well in this innings. Hopefully he will gather plenty of confidence after this innings and carry on longer in this manner," said the Indian skipper.

Could this signal a prolonged outing for Raina at number six, then?

"We have to a see a few things. We cannot change opinions and strategies after one game. It was a certain kind of situation that demanded of him this particular innings. It was good," said Dhoni, as always keeping his cards close to the chest.