RAJKOT: Picking up the pieces following the 18-run defeat against South Africa in the third ODI on Sunday , the one negative that would trouble limited overs' skipper MS Dhoni most amongst others is Suresh Raina's prolonged lean patch.
The left-hander's repeated failure means that Dhoni is one option short of any game plan he makes. Scores of 3, 0 and 0 in the last three games which was preceded by another flop show in the T20s is putting the skipper on the defensive whenever questions on Raina's form and place are raised. Replying to yet another query on the left-hander, Dhoni once again batted stoically for his long-time colleague.
"The No. 7 is a very crucial slot and with Raina not scoring it is becoming very difficult to find the ideal balance. It doesn't help the team's cause if the No. 7 is not a big striker of the ball," said Dhoni. "He should give himself some more time, but he has just gone there and played the big shots. It's not always easy to straightaway play the big shots. He needs to give himself a bit more time and get his touch back because it is not always easy to find people who can clear the big outfield," said Dhoni in Raina's defense.
Dhoni also added that Raina's poor run has nothing to do with his form and said: "Whenever you go in, you actually have more time than what you think. He should just play a few deliveries before going for the big shots and I think everything will be fine."
Raina's trouble started after Dhoni promoted himself in the order and gave the left-hander the opportunity and responsibility to don the finisher's role.
"I want to bat up the order but at the same time I also want people who can contribute lower down the order. I have to mix-match it and decide that if a wicket falls after this over, I will go into bat so that I can create partnership with enough deliveries."
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