Chennai Super Kings (CSK) veteran batsman Suresh Raina backed MS Dhoni and said he can still be India's asset. Raina, who is currently in Chennai to prepare for the upcoming IPL, feels India can utilize Dhoni for good and the ex-India captain has a lot to give.
“Dhoni will probably be coming to Chennai in the first week of March to train ahead of the IPL. Right now, it is so good to see him spending a lot of time with his family,” Raina told The Times of India.
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“If he wants to leave the game, he will go without making a big fuss. I want to see him continue to play. He is looking fit and has been training hard. I still think the Indian team needs him. But it is Virat's call on how they go forward.”
The 33-year-old is also believing in his own comeback to the Indian side. Raina, who is returning from knee surgery, wants to make the IPL count so he could revive his career for the next 2-3 years.
“It is too early right now (to talk about a comeback). I have always enjoyed my cricket, irrespective of where I play. I have not set any targets right now. If I am able to do well in the IPL, I will be able to understand how I am shaping up. I have played enough to know what the situation demands. So my T20 World Cup hopes to depend on my performance in the IPL.
“If I can make my knee strong and have a good IPL, then I know that I have another 2-3 years of cricket left in me. There are two back-to-back T20 World Cups. I have done well in T20 cricket.”
Raina talked about India's fragile middle order. He thinks it's high time the management should pick a couple of players and back them for a good number of matches.
“The support of the captain and team management will definitely solve this middle-order drama. You can't expect (Shreyas) Iyer and (Rishabh) Pant to score big runs in every game.
“You have to give them the assurance that they will not be dropped. Iyer is very good at No. 4. I am sure Pant too will make a lot of difference because he is a left-hander. It is important to have that variety in the batting department. I do think Virat knows what he is doing. Rohit has a lot of experience too. So I am sure they will give youngsters the right advice.”
(WITH TIMES OF INDIA INPUTS)
