MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, India's Super-Saver Combo

On Saturday when India, chasing a stiff 288 were reduced to 92/4, with the likes of Shikhar, Rohit and Virat back in the hut, some Indian fans might have felt a little uncomfortable, but not those who have been following Indian cricket for a while. After all, the next two names on the batting list were Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni - two of the best finishers in the modern era. When the team is in trouble, more often than not, you can expect either one of these batsmen to play a responsible knock or at least give it a good shot. Did you know that going by averages, Dhoni and Raina are the most successful batting pair ever in ODI chases? They average a phenomenal 102.6. Dhoni and Raina have scored over 1000 runs in 18 successful run chases while batting together. (Full World Cup Coverage | Points Table)

Individually, they are both supremely talented batsmen, with very different styles and techniques. Put them together, when the team is under pressure and they become India's 'super saver combo.' NDTV World Cup expert and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar had this to say about Raina after the 28 year old scored his first World Cup century on Saturday, "When he bats with Dhoni he is a different player. You can actually see him bulk up in the company of MS Dhoni." (Dhoni Hails India's Ability to Handle Pressure)

The two are also very close friends and an integral part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise, for which they have also put on multiple match winning partnerships. When Dhoni and Raina came together on Saturday in Auckland, India still needed 196 runs in 27.2 overs vs Zimbabwe, but no one was really worried. Not just because their opponents fall in the 'minnows' category, but also because, as long as these two are in the middle, India are in with more than a chance to win the game. (Highlights | Match in Pics)

Their unbeaten 196 run stand (Raina 100* and Dhoni 85*) that took India home on Saturday was the highest stand for any wicket for India in a successful chase in a World Cup match. In the post match press conference, Dhoni said, "The knock by Raina was very crucial. Coming at number 5, more often than not, you don't get an opportunity. You go into bat in the 38th or 39th over if your top order is batting well and you have to slog it out, you play the big shots and you get out and you don't score too many runs." Gavaskar echoed that sentiment, saying, "It was good to see that he (Raina) carried on right till the end. Lots of times when you get a 100, you are savouring the moment and you lose your focus a little and you get out, but Raina got his focus back very quickly and they finished the match off which is so important." (Dhoni's Aura Bigger Than Sachin's in Team India)

As a captain, Dhoni's average is over 58 in World Cups and he has now completed a staggering 5000 runs in a winning cause in 145 matches. Raina's average in World Cups is 71.5. Incidentally, his 110* on Tuesday is his 2nd highest ODI score ever. Out of the 5 ODI centuries he has scored, four have been in a winning cause. Talking about the importance of getting runs under the belt Dhoni said, "When you get into the knockout stages, you want to have runs under your belt. Once you get going, it just gives you that good feeling which I feel is important in the knockout stages." Dhoni's finishing abilities of course have never been questioned. His knock of 91 not out and the stylish finish with a big six in the 2011 World Cup final will never be forgotten. However, what makes Dhoni's presence in the middle all the more important is the effect he has on the others, whether while fielding or batting. NDTV World Cup expert and former Australian captain Ian Chappell said, "The team has great belief in Dhoni. He's done this sort of thing, like he did in Auckland so many times before. He stays so calm and I think that just rubs off on the rest of the team who believe in the captain and when the players believe in the captain, good things happen."

6 matches, 6 wins. All 6 opposition teams bowled out. Almost every key batsman in relatively good form, pacers firing. Just 3 wins now separate India from their 3rd ODI World Cup triumph. Good things have already begun to happen.