Raina responds to Yuvraj’s ‘Dhoni’s favourite player’ comment

Yuvraj had said Raina was backed by Dhoni and he was the captain’s ‘favourite player’

raina-csk-pti [File] Suresh Raina | PTI

Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has responded to the comments made by former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who had called him Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s favourite player when he was captain, saying that the ex-skipper knew the talent he has and supported him because of it.

Yuvraj had said earlier last month that Raina enjoyed the backing he got from Dhoni and he was the captain’s “favourite player”.

Speaking to Fancode, Raina said that because of the support he received, he was able to perform for Team India and also IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. He added that he would make sure not to repeat mistakes after Dhoni has cautioned him over bad form.

“I would say MS (Dhoni) definitely supported me, he supported me because he knew I have talent, I’ve done it for him, CSK and Team India, whenever he supported me. The best part about him is that he will tell you after two games, ‘If you don’t score, I’ve to take a big step.’ I said just give me one or two games, I will make sure not to repeat mistakes.”

Yuvraj had said that while selecting the team for the 2011 ICC World Cup, Dhoni faced a dilemma to choose two players out of him, Yusuf Pathan and Raina. The trio eventually made it to the squad, but Yuvraj said that Dhoni backed heavily Raina to be part of the team.

While accepting that the then captained had supported him, Raina added that he was happy to have stepped up every time Dhoni supported him and also to be part of the team that won the ICC World Cup in 2011.

“God has been kind in all difficult situations, it’s difficult to say now that I got less or more chances, I am happy that I was part of that WC, he supported me, I delivered, so I think I can’t ask for more,” he said.

Raina said Dhoni had his gratitude for backing him. He also went on to say that the former captain is the greatest Indian captain after Sourav Ganguly. 

📣 The Week is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TheWeekmagazine) and stay updated with the latest headlines