An overlooked prominent Team India batsman Suresh Raina has echoed the words of Indian opener Rohit Sharma to see MS Dhoni bat at number four spot. He believes it helps team’s cause and allows Dhoni to bat with the number five, six and seven batsmen respectively. The southpaw reiterated the former skipper has been delivering the goods with a bat in a lot couple of matches for the Men in Blue.
Pertinently, in the past, Raina has batted himself alongside Dhoni, the former knows what the 37-year-old veteran could offer for the national team with a quadrennial event around the corner.
“Last couple of games, he has been batting well. He can bat well with the tailenders also. If he can bat at four, he can also finish games with the five, six and seven. A lot of players can play around him,” Raina told Sportstar.
Earlier, Dhoni played a quintessential role for India to clinch the three-match One-day International series 2-1 against hosts Australia. He amassed 193 runs during the 50-over format.
Following his slow-show of 96-ball 51 at Sydney, while batting at No. 5 spot, Dhoni staged a magnificent comeback by smashing 55 not out off 54 deliveries in Adelaide.
Kohli backs Dhoni: Raina
Also, the 32-year-old Raina, who is battling it out to return to the top-flight cricket, maintained Dhoni has got unconditional support from skipper Virat Kohli stands as a positive sign. Raina added Dhoni his middling the ball and his confidence has boosted his morale to come good while vouching for his promotion.
“He has been playing with a positive frame of mind. He is hitting the ball really well, and most importantly, he is getting a lot of backup and support from Virat (Kohli). If you have the support of the captain, then you just go out there and express yourself. The No 4 slot suits him,” Raina asserted.
Moreover, Dhoni’s promotion to number four position brought desired results for the visitors against Aaron Finch-led Australia. He remained unbeaten on 87 off 114 deliveries in Melbourne to finish things off for the visitors in style.
The Ranchi-born astute thinker Dhoni sealed the series on a high note with three consecutive half-centuries under his belt.
To talk about Dhoni’s ascendancy, he remained unbeaten twice during the recently-concluded series before being adjudged Man of the Series.
Badrinath on Dhoni’s experience:
On the other side, Dhoni’s former Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammate Subramaniam Badrinath also feels the experience of Dhoni brings a lot to the team. He added Dhoni could take his time to build on his innings while observing the former skipper has made it in his stride.
“Since Dhoni is experienced, he is capable to bat up the order where he can take his time and control the innings. He has so many balls to play. I think he is taking to it really well. Now, he is thinking like a batsman, which is important. You need to think like a middle-order batsman. He is pacing his innings well,” Badrinath said.
Badrinath remarked the overseas conditions would help Dhoni to come good. And here it becomes vital that the 2019 World Cup is scheduled to be held in England and Wales. The campaign will kick off on May 30 between hosts England and South Africa in London.
As of now, Team India is in New Zealand for the limited-overs series. The visitors lead the five-match ODI series 1-1.