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Kingston, Jamaica, Jun 21 : Indian batsman Suresh Raina's half-century against West Indies in the first Test yesterday could be a proof that he has unriddled the problem that short-pitched had been posing for him for a long time courtesy the tips he has got from seniors and new coach.
Raina, along with Harbhajan Singh (70), bailed India out of what could be a shameful situation for the visitors with an 82-run knock at a healthy strike-rate of 71, dominating the bouncer-hurling pacers.
"My plan was to play straight; keep my mind clear and look to be patient. God has been kind to me," Raina said after the match.
Though he has played in nine Tests but Raina's perceived weakness against rising balls has hampered his chances of being a regular in the team.
"It's getting better. I am working hard with Duncan (Fletcher).
I have spoken to Rahul (Dravid) bhai and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni, who have asked me to duck under the short ball.
"I am now keeping my mind clear, not thinking where they are going to pitch up. I am trying to be positive, trying to play straight down the ground.
"It is not easy to make runs in Test matches. You would have to spend time, respect the opponent and watch the bowlers all the time. You need to see the shape in which they are bowling, who is reversing the ball, watch the hands closely, how your feet are moving.
"The first 15-20 balls there were no runs but I was waiting for loose balls. I hadn't got runs in the final three one-dayers so I was determined to make up for it here," the left-handed batsman added.
Besides, Raina also tamed leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo who left the Indian batting line-up tatters with three critical wickets and scored 40 runs off him with eight boudaries.
"I think he did not find it easy to bowl to left-handers. He tossed it up for me to go to covers but I was determined to play down the ground," he said.
--UNI
Raina, along with Harbhajan Singh (70), bailed India out of what could be a shameful situation for the visitors with an 82-run knock at a healthy strike-rate of 71, dominating the bouncer-hurling pacers.
"My plan was to play straight; keep my mind clear and look to be patient. God has been kind to me," Raina said after the match.
Though he has played in nine Tests but Raina's perceived weakness against rising balls has hampered his chances of being a regular in the team.
"It's getting better. I am working hard with Duncan (Fletcher).
I have spoken to Rahul (Dravid) bhai and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni, who have asked me to duck under the short ball.
"I am now keeping my mind clear, not thinking where they are going to pitch up. I am trying to be positive, trying to play straight down the ground.
"It is not easy to make runs in Test matches. You would have to spend time, respect the opponent and watch the bowlers all the time. You need to see the shape in which they are bowling, who is reversing the ball, watch the hands closely, how your feet are moving.
"The first 15-20 balls there were no runs but I was waiting for loose balls. I hadn't got runs in the final three one-dayers so I was determined to make up for it here," the left-handed batsman added.
Besides, Raina also tamed leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo who left the Indian batting line-up tatters with three critical wickets and scored 40 runs off him with eight boudaries.
"I think he did not find it easy to bowl to left-handers. He tossed it up for me to go to covers but I was determined to play down the ground," he said.
--UNI
