Raina guides the ball on the off-side on Sunday
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Suresh Raina lived up to his reputation as one of the most dangerous middle-order batsmen, taking Pakistan's attack to the cleaners in sub-continental giants' opening World Cup match at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. India were already in the driver's seat on 163/2 when Raina walked in to bat at the fall of Shikhar Dhawan's wicket in the 30th over. The Uttar Pradesh batsman smashed 74 off 56 balls as India bullied Pakistan after electing to bat. (Scorecard | Blog )
But if Pakistan expected some relief after a solid 129-run stand between Dhawan and centurion Virat Kohli , that was not to be. Raina was aggression personified and sent sixes screaming over the long Adelaide Oval boundaries. Pakistan tried to test him with short deliveries but they were all dealt with severely. The spinners came a cropper against Raina's wide blade as the fielders ran for cover under the constant assault from India's batsmen. (Kohli, Dhawan Share Record Stand )
There were question marks on where Raina would bat in the World Cup. Since India's tour of England last year, Raina was touted as a possible N0. 4 but his dismal form in Australia had raised concerns. However, the team-management persisted with their initial plan and sent Raina up the order to bat at the crucial position. The powerful left-handed batsman joined ranks with an already bludgeoning Kohli and together, the duo sent Pakistan's fielders on a wild leather hunt.
The Adelaide Oval pitch was loaded heavily in favour of batsmen but Raina's shot-making still left onlookers breathless. He used his feet against Yasir Shah, one of the most talented spinners to have emerged from Pakistan, hitting him for� a massive six. Soon after Kohli reached his 22nd hundred, Raina hit another six, almost in celebration for his partner, reaching his 34th fifty.
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