Thaindian News

Kingston (Jamaica), June 21 (IANS) India’s middle-order batsman Suresh Raina said tips from senior players like Rahul Dravid helped him negotiate the short-pitched deliveries on a lively Sabina Park track on day one of the first Test against the West Indies here Monday.

Raina struck a fighting 82 and along with Harbhajan Singh, who made a quickfire 70, helped India recover from 85 for six to 246 in the first innings.

The left-handed batsman, who led India to a 3-2 win in the ODI series, stood firm against the rising deliveries and negotiated them with ease.

“My plan was to play straight; keep my mind clear and look to be patient. God has been kind to me,” said Raina, who was always susceptible to short-pitched deliveries.

Raina said he was determined to get over his weakness against bouncing deliveries.

“It’s getting better. I am working hard with Duncan (Fletcher). I have spoken to Rahul (Dravid) bhai and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni, who’ve 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,” he said.

“It’s 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.”

Raina said the plan was to wait for the poor deliveries.

“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,” Raina said.

Raina, who hit spinner Devendra Bishoo for 40 runs, said the young leggie found it difficult to bowl against left-handed batsman.

“I think he didn’t 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,” said Raina.

Raina, who stitched 146-run stand for the seventh wicket with Harbhajan, said he had faith in the batting abilities of the tailenders.

“I know Harbhajan, Praveen (Kumar), Amit (Mishra) can all bat. The runs with Harbhajan were scored almost at five per over. I wanted to be positive and spend time in the middle.”

Raina said India still have a chance and it won’t be easy for the West Indies.

“It’s not going to be easy for them. If we could get a couple of wickets early on, we could build pressure. On this wicket, the new ball does a bit. The wicket is also uneven and in our two spinners, we have very good bowlers,” he said.