Virat Kohli a Big Match Player, Will be Ready for World Cup: Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina played down concerns around Virat Kohli's poor form in the lead-up to the World Cup and said he would be ready for the main tournament.
Virat Kohli may have scored only 47 runs in his last six innings (four in ODIs and two in warm-up matches) in the lead-up to the World Cup but India teammate Suresh Raina feels the dashing Delhi batsman will be in his elements once the main round starts.
Kohli has been India's leading batsman in all formats for the last two years but his abysmal limited overs form Down Under has raised several eyebrows. Never before has he been dismissed in single-digits for six consecutive innings. (Amitabh Bachchan Nervous About Debut As Cricket Commentator)
However, Raina, who slammed a fluent 75 to announce his own return to form, played down concerns about Kohli. "He is a great match-winner - he will be set to go before the main round."
The batting-order has been a subject of great debate over the last month with Kohli being pushed down to No. 4 in a bid to strengthen the middle-order. But on Tuesday, as India played their final warm-up tie against World Cup debutants Afghanistan, Kohli was sent back at his regular No. 3 slot after a barrage of criticism over the demotion. There was no change in luck and Kohli failed again. Raina, who came in at 4, blossomed and partnered centurion Rohit Sharma to add 158 runs. (Sledgers To Face Match Bans At Cricket World Cup)
Raina said the batting positions was not a reflection of the team's strategies and it did not mean he was being looked at as a possible No. 4 option. "I came in and looked to play proper cricket - I tried to get used to their left arm bowlers. Pakistan have Mohammad Irfan and I wanted to see where I can hit the ball," Raina said. (India Will Get Into World Cup Groove, Says Josh Hazlewood)
India have struggled ever since the tri-series started and fared horribly in the first warm-up match against Australia. But after regaining some confidence with the bat versus the Afghans, Raina said India were feeling at home in Adelaide and would be ready before their opening clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. The two sides square off on February 15.