SINCE I AM SCORING RUNS FOR THE TEAM, IT HAS INCREASED MY CONFIDENCE: SURESH RAINA

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Raina as we all can see is looking in a good touch since the last couple of games which is a very good news for the Gujarat Lions and for the person himself.

He is a proven player for the shortest version and is looking forward to play some good matches for the team, they defeated the giants of the league the other day to capture yet another valuable victory for the side

He is currently leading the Gujarat Lions team, though they are not in a good position in the league the win over KKR has definitely grown some focus and light in terms of the team that will fight for the cup.

Raina said in an interview that we know the hopes are still alive for the team and being a leader of the squad I assure that my team will do the job and try to uplift the team’s positions and goals as well

“I love batting in pressure situations and it is a challenge I relish,” Raina observed. “I have batted with him (MS Dhoni) for almost ten years now and always admired how he would finish games for the side. I have learnt how to cut down on asking rates from 9 per over to a 7 per over from him. The middle overs in a T20 game are very important and you need to take calculated risks. It is something that I did tonight and have learnt over the years. I was hitting the ball really well and looked to be positive throughout my innings though wickets were falling at the other end.

“When you are a captain, you are there to win a game and set examples for your side. It is something that I have learnt from Dhoni while playing with him for India and Chennai Super Kings.”

Raina stressed the importance of continuing with his form in order to help his side win more games and climb up the ladder. “It is important for me to keep getting runs and whatever comes my way I will take it,” he said. “I have been hitting the ball really well and I need to continue the good form. You have to be positive and always look to win the game. I am thankful to have support from the rest of the batting line-up like McCullum, Finch and Dwayne Smith who have been hitting the ball well. I am glad I could come good for the team today. God has been kind towards me and it is good to end up on the winning side.”

When these two sides met earlier in the season at Rajkot, Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir put on a stunning display to chase a total of 184 in just 14 overs. Even though the loss hurt the team badly, Raina revealed that he had received some positive vibes since winning the toss in Friday’s encounter. “Right from the moment I won the toss, I was getting a lot of positive vibes,” he noted. “I knew we had done well against them (KKR) in the previous game though the match got over in just 14 overs when Chris Lynn hit us to all parts of the ground. That loss hurt the team and me.

“I addressed the team and told them this is the game where we restart and go all guns blazing. The team was high on morale when we walked out on the field and the result is there to be seen. I have been getting good support from Brad Hodge and Mohammad Kaif who have been spreading a lot of positive vibes in the team. It was a great team effort,” Raina said.