MS Dhoni knew how to get the best out of me: Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina, at one point in his career, was an indispensable member of the Indian team due to his ability to accelerate and score crucial runs in the hour of need. The former middle-order batter would come at number four and five and score important runs for the team either in the tense run-chases or provide finishing kicks to an innings.

Apart from being a good batter, Raina was exceptional on the field too often patrolling the point and cover regions with his brilliant fielding. The Uttar Pradesh-born Raina was India’s designated finisher along with former India skipper MS Dhoni.

While there was no question regarding his ability to perform under any given circumstances, there was though a constant criticism on the former southpaw that he was there in the team just because of Dhoni’s backing.

Now the former middle-order batter opened up about the same in his autobiography ‘Believe’ and spoke in length about his rapport with his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper.

“Dhoni knew how to get the best performance out of me, and I trusted him,” Raina wrote in his autobiography, praising Dhoni. “When people equate our connection with a spot for me in the Indian team, it hurts a lot. I’ve always worked hard to win my spot in Team India, just as I’ve earned Dhoni’s faith and respect,” Raina added, as reported by Cricketnext.

Suresh Raina still an important member of CSK’s scheme of things

While Raina made his international debut on 30th July 2005 against Sri Lanka, Dhoni made his debut against Bangladesh in the year 2004. The duo, over the years, has developed a great bonding due to trust and respect for each other.

When Dhoni was announced Team India’s all-format captain, he made one thing clear that he wanted good fielders in the team. And that’s why the former southpaw was one of the integral members of the Indian team under Dhoni’s leadership.

Raina was also pivotal in CSK’s dominance for close to 10 years with his street-smart and risk-free batting. Often coming in at number three, the southpaw would take the games away from the opposition. He has so far scored 5,491 runs in 195 innings for CSK and Gujarat Lions.