First six overs will be key for us, says Raina

CAPETOWN: Suresh Raina says he is thankful to skipper Virat Kohli for giving him the opportunity to bat at No 3 in the T20 International series.

The left-hander, who has batted in the top order for his franchises in the Indian Premier League, would have faced competition in the India team as the top three slots were already filled with Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli walking into them without any resistance.

“It is important Virat showed that faith in me (slotting him at No. 3),” said Raina ahead of the final match of the tour here. Raina has gone after the bowling right from the start.

He feels that with the likes of Dhoni, Pandey and Kohli behind him in the line-up, he can afford to be aggressive.

EARLY INITIATIVE

“In the last two games we have dominated the first six overs. It is very important to play well in the first six overs. When you look to target the first six overs in T20s, you have to play your shots. I think when there is depth in the middle order you can afford to take chances in those overs.”

Raina, who has been out of the ODI side for a while may get an opportunity as India struggle to cement their middle order where he has done well.

“It is very important (comeback to the ODI team). But a team victory is more important than individual performances.

“I am someone who always plays for the team and if we are winning trophies, then individual performances (and opportunities) will take care of themselves. Whatever opportunity I get, I look to play my natural game.

“If you see the top order, they are all batting well. When you come to the middle order, Nos. 4, 5 and 6 --- MS is there and Manish is also doing a good job. So we will see where I can fit in. We have lots of matches coming up.”

While it seems that the Indian bowling attack looks devoid of teeth without Kuldeep Yadav, Raina said the South Africans have begun to play the spinners better by changing their plans a bit.

“Without Kuldeep, our bowling isn’t weak. We have done really well as a bowling unit. Sometimes you need to credit the opposition as well. They needed to do something different when our spinners were not allowing them to score. They needed to come up with plan B and they did that.”

I think when there is depth in the middle order you can afford to take chances in those overs.

SURESH RAINA, On early overs