zubinpepsi Posted May 21, 2009 Posted May 21, 2009 http://www.chennaisuperkings.com/interview/InterviewContent.aspx?IvID=15 Thursday, May 21 2009 Durban: Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni identified Suresh Raina as an asset he was happy to have in his team in view of his ability to bowl off-breaks with telling effect. With his spin bowlers doing a perfect job and helping the team defend their modest total of 116 against Kings XI Punjab, Dhoni was a happy man. Excerpts of interview: On the pitch where Warne failed and Murali stood out: If you are asking me to compare the two bowlers, I think one should not compare them. Both are really the best. Their departments are different – one is leg-spinner and the other is an off-spinner. I think Muralitharan bowled a great line and length. I am not comparing him with Warne. I think since the target was low and I am assuming that the opposition thought to play him through. But I think the credit should also go to Ashwin and Raina and they both bowled a good line and because of that the pressure kept on mounting. Eventually when a wicket falls, it is never easy for a new batsman to come in and go after the bowler. So, it kept on mounting and from six runs per over to 15 or 16 runs per over. It became really tough and I believe that was one of the reasons (for Kings XI defeat). May be, Kings XI Punjab had to win the match and they thought “Murali is the main bowler and we should play him through”. But I think, it was an off day for them and their plan didn’t work. I am quite happy to be on the winning side. On Suresh Raina's bowling: I think if you look at the composition of our side, then you will realise that we are playing with two spinners which is more than sufficient. Having Suresh Raina is a great asset for us. Whatever opportunity he has got, he has grabbed it with both hands. Raina has bowled line and length in the pressure games where the ball was not turning. I think Raina gives you another option. If I am playing with four fast bowlers and two spinners, then I know that I have Raina who can bowl full quota of four overs. On his bowlers: Manpreet Gony performed well. If you see the improvement in him from his first game, it is drastic. We gave a chance to Thilan Thushara after few games and he also bowled really well. It was good to see our bowlers performing well. I think we always had a decent bowling line-up but down on confidence. But today's performance will help them a lot and should bring their confidence back. Hopefully, they will bowl in the next two games also assuming that we will reach final. On his team's strategy: It becomes really difficult when your bowling department is not doing well in the majority of matches in a tournament. So, when you move to a wicket which is good for batsmen, it can be a tricky. But from now, it will be more of a lottery system. If one batsman has a good day, then he can take the team through. One can say that till now, one had to play as a team consistently, but now onwards, it will be about three hours. If somebody like Hayden or a Raina has a good day or a bowler like Muralitharan can see our team through. I think all the four teams who qualify for the semis will be all strong teams. We saw really close games and those teams who failed to qualify were also good, but were unfortunate to bow out. The best part of the tournament was the way points table shuffled and kept everyone guessing. If the last league matches are interesting, one cannot ask for anything more. On not worrying about the opponents in the semis: It is not about worrying. It is about whoever you face in the semis. It is not about being over confident, but if we played to our potential, we can be a tough side to beat. We are not really worried about it. We want to enjoy, especially tonight since we know that we are through to the semis. But tomorrow, we will start preparing for the semis. Till now, we have had made some mistakes, but from now onwards, 15 minutes of madness and we can lose the match. From now on, it will be tricky. On Warne's remarks that Super Kings are the favourites: It feels good when somebody reckons you as the favourites in the tournament. On losing temper: It is very difficult to control the temper when you see people who are talented but are not using their talent to the maximum. If I see a talented player, I want him to perform well. I try to provide him with the right scenario where he can perform, but if he is not really working hard on his game, then it really gets me angry. One thing which really irritates me is to grab the attention of the guys who are guarding the boundaries. These are the basic mistakes where you can say I lose my temper. It is not about going for boundaries or sixes. I know it is cricket and one can have an off-day, but there are some basics in the game. It is just a 20 over game and if one can concentrate on the match and keep an eye on the skipper, it can help. I try to use my energy in field placing and bowling changes, and I don’t want it to waste time on trying to get the attention of a fielder. I think all players should be looking towards the middle for 20 overs, though it was a little difficult for the fielders to spot me as I was not keeping the wickets. On Albie Morkel, Badrinath and Hayden: Albie Morkel and Badrinath had niggles and they didn't needed to be rested. We could have played them. We played Badri because we thought our batting would weaken if he was not there. Hayden will be fine. The physio has said so. We could have pushed him to play this match, but it is good to have him for the semifinals. Sanjay Krishnan, courtesy www.iplt20.com -------------- Raina has come a long way.. he has been brilliant with the bat and ball.. hope he keeps up this form in T20WC.. :two_thumbs_up:
Lord Posted May 21, 2009 Posted May 21, 2009 hope dhoni uses him in T20WC too. he is definitely an asset
vvvslaxman Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 Raina is captain's dream. Period. :two_thumbs_up: 400 runs in each of the IPL edition
yoda Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 I really hope this guy sorts out his issues with short pitched deliveries or whatever and plays for India for a long time. He is a treat to watch.
ganeshran Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 On Subcontinent pitches, Raina is indispensible. On bouncy pitches he has problems. Also, He is a livewire in the field and keeps the morale of the team
DomainK Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 He has problems with certain deliveries, but then who doesn't? For a hard working and talented guy like Raina, it's a matter of time before he finds a solution.
phaedrus Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 His greatest asset is his attitude. Gives it his all and thats what i love about him. Enjoys others' success. Great team player.
Sachin=GOD Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 Absolute gem of a player. Comes good when really needed - see the WC, crucial matches and he made important contributions. In the tamasha also, played well when it mattered the most.
CoverDrive Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 Big Match player!!! If you were to pick one player out of IPL who has benefitted most it would be Raina. He has learnt to handle pressure so well. He has some technical issues but I think he has in him to minimize them if not eliminate them (See Gambhir) He should take up a County contract and really fight it out to get in the Test team. Once Sachin, Dravid and VVS retire he should be ready to be picked by that time
Sidhoni Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 HE is one of the bright future stars,remember his 100 on debut in test matches against SL..?? he is just awesome on subcontinental pitches, and plays amazingly well in all formats of the game. Guys like yuvi and raina are the real all-rounders, we all know how well yuvi can bowl, but Raina has also improved as a bowler and does a good job for the captain when no one else does,And both of them jointly are the best fielders in India
glogirl Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 also apart from a good player he is a very lively person on the field. he is always the first person to congratulate the bowler when any wickets fall.
vvvslaxman Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 He has problems with certain deliveries' date=' but then who doesn't? For a hard working and talented guy like Raina, it's a matter of time before he finds a solution.[/quote'] Yup.. He can play anywhere. His T20 century against SA in WI was awesome.
Sid Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 He is the man for big occassions,most importantly a great team man.
CoverDrive Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 His whole attitude to game somehow reminds me of Mike Hussey. Same enthusiasm in field and calmness while batting under pressure.
vishalvirsingh Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 If he knows how to play bouncers he will becom world"s no 1 batsmen...he is way ahead of rohit and yuvi and murli ...is the most talented batsmen in india n probaBly world ..just one big weakness against Good short balls... If bowler can cponsistently bowl bodyline bouncers ..he can get out. He needs to get some solution
CoverDrive Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 If he knows how to play bouncers he will becom world"s no 1 batsmen...he is way ahead of rohit and yuvi and murli ...is the most talented batsmen in india n probaBly world ..just one big weakness against Good short balls... If bowler can cponsistently bowl bodyline bouncers ..he can get out. He needs to get some solution I would not go that far. He also has a weakness outside off stump for deliveries moving away (Yuvraj has the same weakness)
vvvslaxman Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 Weakness or no weakness he is one of the most fearless cricketer in the world , undaunted by situation, pressure, big names. You could be a " technical giant" (borrowed this weird phrase from Ramiz Raja) but if you are a mental midget what is the use. ABDV for example is a great batsman. Under pressure he just crumbles.
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