Commonwealth Bank Series 2011/12

Good performance in Adelaide would boost team for tri-series: Raina

Indian middle-order batsman Suresh Raina feels that good performance in the fourth and final Test against Australia at Adelaide would boost the morale of team ahead of the tri-series that also features Sri Lanka.

Indian middle-order batsman Suresh Raina feels that good performance in the fourth and final Test against Australia at Adelaide would boost the morale of team ahead of the tri-series that also features Sri Lanka.

"Still we have one Test left (commencing on January 24). I think the batting department will click. If we do well in the Test we will carry the confidence in the one-dayers. I wish them luck. Hopefully, they will do well," Suresh Raina said.

India have already lost the four match Test series to Australia by losing the first three Tests and the visitors would like to avoid their second back-to-back whitewash at overseas as they faced an embarrassing 0-4 whitewash in the English summer last year.

However, Raina is hopeful of India's better display in the forthcoming triangular one-day series. India are also scheduled to play the two T20 internationals against Australia ahead of tri-series.

"We were the champions in 2008 (when India had won the tri-series). Hopefully, we will see a good contest." Raina, who has scored 3,250 in 135 ODIs, said he has prepared thoroughly to counter the pace and bounce of the pitches in Australia. Preparation has been good. I have been practising at NCA, Bangalore. We had a good camp in Bangalore. I have played two games here (in a local T20 tournament). I'm hitting the ball well. Hopefully, we will do well in one-dayers," he said.

"I have been practising a lot keeping in mind the pitches there. I have spent a lot of time with (former cricketer) Sandeep Patil (now Director) at NCA and with (former Test batsman) Praveen Amre here (in Mumbai). I have played there (in Australia) for India 'A' and scored a hundred against Australia 'A'," added Raina, who was representing Air India in the ongoing DY Patil T20 event here," he added.

Raina also hit back at Australian coach Micky Arthur, who had said that Aussies will "hammer" the Indian team in the one-dayers as well.

"If we look at the last couple of years we have done really well. We are the world champions everyone knows that. When we go there (ODI team), he will get the answer," he said.

Raina has expressed his happiness on the presence of Sachin Tendulkar in the ODI squad. Tendulkar hasn't played the ODI after 2011 World Cup.

"We have a couple of days for training there. Hopefully, we will have a couple of extra sessions to practice with the seniors. Luckily, we have Sachin in the (ODI) team now. He is likely to spend time with the juniors," he said.

Raina, who lost his place from Test team after India's disastrous tour to England, said that he is working hard to regain his place in the Test squad.

"I am working on it. I have scored a double hundred in Ranji Trophy. I have done well in Test cricket too. Whenever I get a chance again I will give my 100 per cent," said Raina