World Cup 2015: We Played Smart Cricket in Powerplay Overs vs Zimbabwe, says Suresh Raina

India's latest World Cup centurion Suresh Raina put it down to smart cricket in the batting powerplay that helped India avoid defeat in a tricky run-chase against Zimbabwe in Auckland. The defending world champions stormed to a six-wicket win, thanks to Raina's unbroken 196-run stand with MS Dhoni after a top-order collapse.

"The idea was to bat smartly. I am glad we were able to do it really well in the end. Once MS (Dhoni) came, it certainly helped as well. When the team needed me the most, I just wanted to be positive and smart, especially in the powerplays," Raina said, in the post-match presentation. (Full World Cup Coverage | Points Table)

Chasing a stiff target of 288, India's top-order was wiped out by Zimbabwe's bowlers. Raina and Dhoni joined forces with India on 92/4 in the 23rd over and staring at a possible upset.

"I am glad the hard work came off. I thought the wicket was really good, and if ever I got the ball I can go after, then I would go after it." (Highlights | Match in Pics)

Raina and Dhoni, two of the most potent batting exponents when it comes to run chases, added an unbeaten 196-run stand to steer India out of trouble. Raina reckoned it was the experience of having won many matches together in the past that took the team through against Zimbabwe.

"MS and I have played a lot of matches together, and have finished a lot of matches together. MS told me that I just can't smash every ball, but he did back my strengths on the field,"Raina said. (Dhoni's Aura Bigger Than Sachin's in Team India)

Talking about his own effort, his first-ever World Cup century, Raina said it ranked as a very important one in his books.

"This knock means a lot to me. I got one in the U-19 World Cup and now once again here, so it's great. People in coaching staff like Sanjay Bangar and Ravi Shastri have been telling us to do that and I am glad I could," Raina said. (India Believe in Dhoni, Says Chappell)

Team India are unbeaten in the World Cup and will look to keep that record intact when they take on Bangladesh in the quarter-finals on March 19 in Melbourne. (Dhoni Hits Perfect 10)

Raina in Facts and Figures

# Raina and Dhoni put on 196 (unbroken) for the fifth wicket - India's highest World Cup partnership for this wicket-position and their highest for any wicket in a successful chase in World Cup.

# The unbroken 196-run partnership is India's second highest for the fifth wicket in ODIs, next only to the 223 between Mohammad Azharuddin vs Sri Lanka at Colombo, RPS on August 17, 1997.

# The aforesaid partnership is India's sixth highest in World Cups for any wicket. The said stand is India's highest World Cup partnership for any wicket vs Zimbabwe - their highest fifth-wicket partnership vs Zimbabwe in ODIs.

# Raina-Dhoni pair is averaging 62.14 as a pair - their aggregate being 3480 in 66 innings, including nine hudreds and 17 fifties. The pair is the only one to have maintained an average of 60-plus (minimum 3000 runs).