India begin Project Raina

[Lord]

As he dissected India's performance after their heavy defeat to Australia in the first ODI, MS Dhoni also revealed an important development: India are trying to develop Suresh Raina as a No 4 batsman with an eye on the 2015 World Cup. This was why Raina had been sent in ahead of long-time No 4 Yuvraj Singh in Pune, and he would bat there for a while, according to his captain. "As of now what we want is for Suresh to bat at No 4 for a considerable period of time," Dhoni said. "It's only Yuvraj Singh who we have got and if he is in good form and we go till the World Cup without anything happening, then he will bat there. But if he doesn't, all of a sudden we can't say we do not have a No 4 batsman. "All the other slots, we have players and we even have replacements. But apart from Yuvraj, I don't see anybody who has batted 50 ODIs at No 4. That can be a concern and we will have to rectify that from this point. No point going too late and then saying we don't have time to do anything." Dhoni's rationale in wanting a back-up for a crucial batting position is understandable, especially given Yuvraj's recent history. Yes, he's made his second comeback since recovering from cancer but it is still unclear how his form will hold up as the World Cup approaches. He is obviously the first-choice No 4 but there is every reason to have a contingency plan in place. So for the second time in his eight-year international career, Raina will get another sustained run up the order. The first opportunity had come in 2008, when over 13 successive innings in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India, he produced one century and four fifties at an average of nearly 40. As his career has progressed, Raina's desire to gain a promotion in the line-up has increased. He's seen Virat Kohli come in and establish himself at No 3 with a string of hundreds. Raina knows that for all the death-over slogging, it is the centuries that catch attention and bring lasting recognition. Last year, Raina pointed out that he'd "scored only three (ODI) hundreds", as he staked his claim for elevation again. While Raina's desire cannot be faulted, mere elevation in the batting order will not result in more hundreds. They will have to be earned by taking on the responsibility of building an innings, something Raina hasn't exactly shown the inclination for when he has been given the chance. Captaincy should ideally translate into more cautious batting, as in Dhoni's case, but when Raina led India in Zimbabwe in 2010 and in the West Indies in 2011, he refused to change his aggressive approach. India had sent second-string sides for both tours, and Raina mostly came in with plenty of overs to go after a top-order wobble. In nine innings over those tours, he averaged 23.57, including two not-outs in chases that were almost over by the time he walked in. Three times he failed going for his favourite slog-sweep when the situation demanded restraint. In Pune, Raina looked to launch James Faulkner over midwicket, after gaining a hard-earned start against Mitchell Johnson's pace, and fell for 39. It was not the ideal response from a No 4 batsman at that point in a tough chase. Raina, however, is used to going for similar strokes to similar deliveries. Aggression comes naturally to him. Also, an overwhelming majority of his career has been spent at No 5 or below. Often, he doesn't have the luxury of getting himself in so these shots are instinctive. It is not to say Yuvraj would have never gone for the same shot at that moment. But at No 4, a batsman must temper the urge to turn a 10-run over into a 16-run over with an eye on the big picture. Yuvraj has done that successfully for more than a decade. He can hit six sixes in an over in a Twenty20, but he also makes sure he lasts long enough to get the big scores that win ODI games. That necessitates controlling the urge to deposit one more over midwicket. It needs one to duck under a few short balls early on rather than try to work them for singles, one of Raina's preferred ways of handling the bouncer barrage he usually faces. Dhoni knows Raina will need some time to unlearn and adjust. "We will have to give him some kind of experience at No 4," Dhoni said. "He's batted too long at No 6. That is why sometimes you see these instinctive shots, when the batsman sees and goes after them. It is very important that he uses these opportunities well. Then we'll have two batsmen who have a fair amount of exposure at No 4." Raina has the chance to increase his centuries from "only three." Will he able to adapt and rein himself in? India will have a clearer picture of his ability by the end of the Australia series.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2013-14/content/current/story/679569.html :fail: written all over it.Raina is a finisher who is used to playing shots.Don't destroy him. was one of the reason we lost imo.should be Yuvi at 4

[Sandeep99]

Project Raina!!! :(( What if Dhoni is seeing him as no.4 for other formats of the game given the vacancies :nervous:

[FischerTal]

:facepalm: Raina is Shyte when it comes to building an innings

[Crookbond]

"As of now what we want is for Suresh to bat at No 4 for a considerable period of time," Dhoni said. "It's only Yuvraj Singh who we have got and if he is in good form and we go till the World Cup without anything happening, then he will bat there. But if he doesn't, all of a sudden we can't say we do not have a No 4 batsman. "All the other slots, we have players and we even have replacements. But apart from Yuvraj, I don't see anybody who has batted 50 ODIs at No 4. That can be a concern and we will have to rectify that from this point. No point going too late and then saying we don't have time to do anything."

Raina is a back up No. 4

[vvvslaxman]

I laughed immediately at the title when i saw cricinfo lol

[SLICKR392]

^ Yep. Read the whole thing. He is a temp #4.

[G_B_]

I really dont get this back up number 4 crap. There is enough depth in the Indian batting for them not to depend on position number 4. If yuvi is out of form, drop him drop Rohit to number 4 where he usually plays and bring in Pujara or Rahane as an opener. Simple. How about rather than specific numbers you assign roles? The fact is Raina has a **** record away from home. You cant make a Hindustan Ambassador into a Bentley or a Rolls Royce. No matter how many chances you give him.

[putrevus]

I think Raina is starting to resent his role as finisher, he is senior most among the younger players and yet has no hundreds or records like Kohli has and any dip in his form he is the first one to be kicked out of the team like in 2011 world cup. He bats no 3 for CSK and is very successful so craving for no 4 is not bad idea for him personally but it is very bad idea for the team. His overseas record is horrible.

[G_B_]

I remember they have Raina a series at 3 when we visited Ireland and playing Ireland and SA i think. If memory serves me right even Ireland got Raina out cheaply when he was at 3.

[maniac]

countdown to Raina being given yet another test shot :banghead:

[Jersey #10]

Raina deserves his shot up the order. You can't just unfairly keep someone at #5,6,7 for 150 ODIs b/c they're so good at it. He will be a successful numero quatro. On the other hand, Raina for world cup down under is a mega :fail: b/c the guy can't play short ball, PERIOD. And that's all they'll feed him in australia.

[putrevus]

If Pujara is successful is SA, I see him coming right back at no 3 or opening in world cup.If he is back at no3 Kohli will go back to no4. Dhoni for his closing skills cannot play big shots for long period in a big chase. Other than Kohli I don't see anyone in this team playing long innings in big chases, Gambhir was one who could do it but he is out of the team.

[Malcolm Merlyn]

:fail::fail::fail:

[CG]

So who we have backup for no 1,2 ,3,5,6,7 .Why do not we play another wicketkeeper 50 games at dhonis position so if dhoni is injured he can take over .

[cricketman]

Why not Pujara at four? He has not been given a long enough shot in LOIs. This ODI series would have been perfect for Pujara to get exposure into limited over cricket. I say we give him an extended run at either 1,2 or 4.

[Number]

As the poster PAA-G said its a nice trick to get Raina at no. 4 in tests.

[Lord]

So who we have backup for no 1' date='2 ,3,5,6,7 .Why do not we play another wicketkeeper 50 games at dhonis position so if dhoni is injured he can take over .[/quote'] true

[PAA-G]

Raina is a back up No. 4

^ Yep. Read the whole thing. He is a temp #4.

do u knw the meaning of 'backup' ??? Back up means replacement raina as replacement for yuvraj..... Do you actually use your backup when the usual player is playing..... Simple eg. If u dont know how to cook rice u keep maggi as backup...but it doesnt mean that u have biryani on the table n u go abt cooking maggi....if u do that u r rediculous n that is what dhobi has dne !!!! Its all politix for test no.4 after tendu.... N all those dhoni fans look how cowardly he is citing his reasons on raina....true leadership... congratz u r one of those who have been befooled by dhoni after his comments

[GautiMaan]

Give him a chance guys:facepalm: If Nohit can get a shot at the top of the order despite his pathetic record,then I dont see why Raina cant play at number 4. He also has a similar average and strike rate to Yuvi.

[veer]

Raina deserves his shot up the order. You can't just unfairly keep someone at #5,6,7 for 150 ODIs b/c they're so good at it. He will be a successful numero quatro. On the other hand, Raina for world cup down under is a mega :fail: b/c the guy can't play short ball, PERIOD. And that's all they'll feed him in australia.

I agree with both points...