India vs Bangladesh: Suresh Raina walking a tightrope

Southpaw under pressure to score runs

Suresh Raina was bowled out for duck 2016 against Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. (AP)

 

 

New Delhi: Despite their loss in the opening World T20 encounter to New Zealand, India are still among the favourites to win the title. India beat Pakistan in the next match to re-establish people’s faith in them and Men in Blue would be looking to strengthen their position in the group by beating Bangladesh on Wednesday.

While India – among the most dangerous sides in home conditions – are clear favourites against a depleted Bangladesh, one Indian cricketer would be constantly under the lens – Suresh Raina. Though Indian batting hasn’t clicked that well in the previous two matches, Raina’s first ball duck against Pakistan has given critics an opportunity to paint him as a weak point in the batting line-up. Also, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan did well in the Asia Cup and are unlikely to avoid any backlash so soon.

Raina is seen as an experienced match-winner. And he started the year on a good note when he played two important knocks of 41 and unbeaten 49 against Australia Down Under. But the UP lad hasn’t lived up to the expectations since then. Raina has notched up only 90 runs in seven innings since the tour of Australia. And in the two matches of the World T20, he has just 1 run from two innings. 

Though it is unlikely that skipper MS Dhoni, who has a lot of faith in Raina’s abilities, will drop him for the match against Bangladesh. 

“Questions will be asked when a player doesn't score in one or two games,“ Dhoni said after the Pakistan clash, firmly getting behind the southpaw. 

“It's important to back players. Raina deserves the No. 4 position more than anyone else. There are too many players who need to bat at No 3. Statistics say a lot of individuals can bat at No.3 but Virat Kohli has the edge. The same way, I feel Raina deserves that No. 4 more than anyone else. Overall, he's the best option,“ he added.

Raina has the overall average of 29.82 in T20 internationals.

There are suggestions that Ajinkya Rahane should be given a chance as he can provide stability at No. 4. But it's unlikely that Dhoni will give Rahane a go against Bangladesh as Raina gives him the options of a few overs of off-spin bowling. Also, Dhoni doesn’t like to tinker with the playing XI. But if Raina suffers another failure against Bangladesh, it won't be easy for Dhoni to continue with Raina in the XI.