Colombo, July 30: "It's always nice to have runs under your belt at the start of the season," star batsman Suresh Raina said a day after helping India overcome a daunting target in the third ODI against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium.
After getting a half-century in the first game at Hambantota, Raina came to the party once again with a superlative innings and in company of Irfan Pathan helped India cross the finish line under lights on Saturday evening.
Here's the talismanic Indian all-rounder in a tete-a-tete
You have begun the season well...
I was stroking the ball well even during the IPL and despite a rest of almost two months I ensured that I was not rusty. As professional cricketers we have to ensure that we are battle-ready all the time.
Was there any pressure on you going into the series?
Pressure will always be there when you are representing the country. But I am now experienced enough to overcome the nerves and focus only on the job at hand. It was such a relief for the team to put up a big total in our first international game after over four months. There are always questions asked about the fitness and mental preparedness after a long break. But we answered them well. But the second game at Hambantota was a disaster. We lost wickets in a bunch right at the beginning and there was no coming back. It was good that we came back strongly on Saturday night. We will aim to clinch the series in the fourth game on Tuesday.
Was there pressure in the third game when you walked in after India lost three quick wickets?
Of course there was pressure when Irfan bhai joined me in the middle. Had one of us departed early it would have been the end of our chase. But once Irfan started to strike the ball cleanly, it eased a lot of pressure. When that target got close, we kept telling each other not to throw it away. Irfan bhai proved once again that he is more than a handy batsman down the order and he, too, deserves accolades.
Do you now consider yourself a finisher?
Well, sometimes I do get carried away and throw my wicket. But with experience I am ensuring that I stay there till the end. Sometimes it comes off, other times it does not.
In all three matches so far, you have come in after Rohit Sharma's dismissal...
Yes, but as an international batsman, I have to come out to bat under any situation. Sometimes a platform has been laid, on others we have to build one. That's part of our job and that's why international cricket is so challenging."
Are you looking forward to regaining your place in Indian Test team?
My job is to score runs for the country. And I am happy that I have begun the season on a positive note. Right now, my focus is on the current series. For the season ahead I have to remain fit and in form. If I get a chance, I should be ready to fulfill the expectations.
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