Struggling for runs in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa, under-fire Suresh Raina has got the much-needed backing of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who advised the middle-order batsman to give himself a bit more time before unleashing his big shots.
“More than the form he needs to give himself a bit more time. He’s gone in and played the big shots. Whenever you go in you actually have more time than what you think. I’s important for him to play a few deliveries,” said Dhoni at the post-match press conference after India lost the third ODI by 18 runs here last night.
“It’s not easy to straightaway play the big shots. He needs to give himself a bit more time as it becomes difficult to find people who can clear the big outfield. My personal feeling is he needs to give himself a bit more time and everything will be fine,” said the captain.
The Uttar Pradesh left-hander was dismissed for ducks in the last two games after scoring 3 in the series opener at Kanpur. He did not have a great time in the preceding T20 series as well against the visitors.
Talking about Sunday’s game that India lost by 18 runs after failing to chase South Africa’s 270 on a slow pitch, Dhoni said the wicket became increasingly slower as the game and made life difficult for the batsmen.