Sanjay Bangar reveals why Suresh Raina plays ahead of Dinesh Karthik

Something that has puzzled several experts in recent times is the fact that Suresh Raina is playing ahead of Dinesh Karthik. The latter, who is also more than a handy wicketkeeper has been left out in the cold as far as the Indian cricket team is concerned following his exploits in the Nidahas Trophy. Moreover, with the subsequent failures of Raina in recent times with the bat and the absence of Ambati Rayudu in the side, Raina has been preferred in the coveted number five position.

The middle-order has indeed been a dicey aspect for the Indian selection and management. In fact, with several cricketers coming to the fore in terms of talent, it is quite clear that there is indeed a need for the supply of talent to bridge the gap, so to speak.

‘Want to have a left-hander in the middle-order’

When quizzed in the pre-match press conference regarding the debate between Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina, Bangar stated that it was indeed in the plans to have a left-handed batsman in the middle-order, something the Indian ODI side has not really boasted of in recent times.

In reply, Bangar said, “The plan was to have a left-hander batting in the middle-order. And that is the reason why Suresh was picked ahead of Dinesh.”

In retrospect, the Indian cricket team’s ODI unit usually boasts of right-handed batsmen in the ranks barring the exception of Shikhar Dhawan. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli have usually slotted in at number three and number four with Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, and Hardik Pandya completing the batting unit. The resurgence of Manish Pandey and the newcomer Karun Nair also have been considered in recent times for the side.

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