Suresh Raina Reflects on India's 2013 Champions Trophy Triumph

New Delhi, Feb 17 (NationPress) As the ICC Champions Trophy approaches, former India all-rounder Suresh Raina fondly recalled a pivotal moment from the MS Dhoni-led squad's title-winning journey in 2013, held in England. India’s victory in the 2013 Champions Trophy is etched in history, as the team remained unbeaten during the entire tournament.

In a special edition of JioHotstar’s ‘The Suresh Raina Experience: Champions Trophy Special,’ Raina highlighted the significance of the opening match against South Africa, which marked the rise of the dynamic opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

Raina identified the choice to establish the Rohit-Dhawan opening partnership as a masterstroke, emphasizing their remarkable performance throughout the tournament and beyond.

"That was a masterstroke by the team management. Just look at the way they batted - they focused on timing the ball rather than forcing shots. They attacked, but only when the delivery deserved it. Rohit Sharma is technically very sound. He wore the ball down before accelerating the scoring rate. Then you had Shikhar Dhawan stepping out and taking on the bowlers. Left-right combinations always trouble bowlers, and Shikhar was an aggressive striker in a different way. Rohit could hit a six whenever he wanted," Raina commented.

"Their run rate consistently stayed at 8 or 9. They cleared the ropes with ease. A 100-run partnership quickly turned into a 150-run stand. One of them was always looking to push for a century. Their understanding was excellent - they trusted each other's calls and spent so much time together," he added.

While Dhawan had solidified his place as India’s opening batter, he experienced a series of partners in 2012. Rohit Sharma, who missed out on the 2011 ICC World Cup glory, finally claimed the role in 2013. Raina elaborated on how Rohit secured his position in the squad and has maintained it for years.

"The way he was timing the ball - it was exceptional. He worked incredibly hard on improving his batting. He had lengthy discussions with Duncan Fletcher and shared a strong rapport with MS Dhoni. Major tournaments create significant players because there’s a major trophy on the line. He wasn’t selected for the 2011 World Cup, but in 2013, he seized the opening spot - and he still holds it," the former batter explained.

Dhawan scored 114 runs off 94 deliveries, while Sharma added 65 runs from 81 balls, forming a 127-run partnership that spanned over 20 overs. Raina also reflected on his six-over spell, which was crucial in containing South Africa’s run chase after India’s fast bowlers faced challenges on a dry surface.

"The pitch was very dry, so everyone had to adjust their fielding and bowling. Having a sixth bowling option -- whether it was Virat, Rohit, or Suresh Raina -- provided the captain with extra comfort. At that time, MS didn’t have any more full-time bowlers left. As a captain, you need options for those tricky four to five overs. MS knew that if a left-hander came to bat, he could turn to me. I could take wickets and disrupt the opposition’s rhythm. We were fortunate to have several players in the squad who could bowl four to six overs. You saw this in the 2011 squad as well, and in 2013, it was me, Virat, and Rohit stepping in when needed," he stated.

Raina also provided insights into his bowling strategy, saying, "I understood the angles of my bowling, kept it straight at the stumps, and didn’t offer too much pace. I knew if I bowled three good overs, I’d earn a fourth. I focused on staying composed and unfazed. My job was to field well, but the captain trusted me to stay within my ability and deliver with the ball."

India is set to commence their Champions Trophy journey against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.