Veteran India batsman Suresh Raina has responded to the recent comments made by former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who had called him MS Dhoni’s favourite player. Notably, Raina has mostly played under Dhoni in the Indian team and in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
A few days back, Yuvraj stirred controversy saying that Raina enjoyed the backing he got from Dhoni and he was the captain’s “favourite player”. Although Raina did justice to his selection here and there but lacked consistency with the bat. Meanwhile, the cricketer from Uttar Pradesh fell on the wrong side of the radar since Virat Kohli took over the reins of the Indian side.
Responding to the same, Raina admitted that Dhoni supported him because he knew the talent in him. The out-of-favour batsman also said that MSD always cautioned him whenever the former had a rough patch with the bat.
“I would say MS definitely supported me, he supported me because he knew I have talent, I’ve done it for him, CSK and Team India, whenever he supported me. The best part about him is that he will tell you after two games, ‘If you don’t score, I’ve to take a big step.’ I said just give me one or two games, I will make sure not to repeat mistakes,” Raina said while speaking to Fancode.
Further, the southpaw stressed on the difficulties faced by a middle-order batsman. Raina mostly batted at five or six in international cricket and stated that middle-order batsmen have to adjust to various situations during a game.
“You know, middle-order isn’t easy, every game you play sometimes you bat for 10-15 overs and sometimes for 30 overs. Our position is different and we’ve to chip in with the ball, we’ve to get 2-3 wickets and we’ve to save 15-20 runs. Middle-order has always been challenging for me, but, I’ve always taken everything positively,” Raina added.
The 33-year-old also thanked Dhoni for always backing him and termed him the greatest captain after Sourav Ganguly. Raina is also satisfied that he always stepped up whenever Dhoni backed him and is happy that he was part of the World Cup squad in 2011 which India won.
“I am thankful to MS because he’s always been my great admirer and he always knew what sort of talent I have. I think it’s all destiny. He’s the greatest captain we had after Dada, so I think we should really enjoy things when we play the World Cup.
“God has been kind in all difficult situations, it’s difficult to say now that I got less or more chances, I am happy that I was part of that WC, he supported me, I delivered, so I think I can’t ask for more,” Raina concluded.
