It's important to back Raina: Dhoni

 While maintaining that the team was proud of its 11-match winning streak against Pakistan in World Cups, MS Dhoni stressed that records are meant to be broken, sooner or later. India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in a Group 2 Super 10 game of World T20 here on Saturday at the Eden to keep its slate clean against their arch-rivals.

“If we are proud of the fact that we have a 11-0 record, there is also a reality that one day we will lose – whether it is today or in ten years or 20 years or 50 years,” the Indian skipper said after the match. “There is no such thing that you will always keep winning. Also, our team has evolved a lot, and somehow in ICC events our performances have been good of late, whether it’s the last Champions Trophy or the World Cup.

“We have given pretty good performances, so that also plays a role (in this record against Pakistan). I feel we have played good cricket, and that’s the reason. It’s something to be proud of, but at the same time, like they have the pressure of 11-0, we also have the pressure that you have won 11 matches. It’s either “you’ve won 11, and so you’ve also won the 12th, big deal, or “What? You didn’t win?”

Dhoni backed a struggling Suresh Raina to bat at No 4. The southpaw has more wickets (two) than runs (1) from the last two matches and Dhoni felt it was too early judge the batsman.

“Well, there’s a very obvious answer,” Dhoni began. “People don’t score runs in one or two games, that question will be asked. If Shikhar (Dhawan) doesn’t score in one more game, that question will be asked, ‘why not Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane) to open and Shikhar be left out?’ I feel it is important to back players and at the same time, if you see there are too many people who need to bat at that number three slot.

If you compare the stats, especially when it’s happening in India, you’ll see there are lot of individuals who should bat at three, but Virat gets an edge, and in the same way I think he (Raina) deserves that number four position more than anyone else, and it’s important to back him. Yes, there might be tactical changes when he won’t get that slot, but overall I think he’s the best option,” he reasoned.