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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Toss will play crucial role in Dharamsala T20, says Raina

Toss will play crucial role in Dharamsala T20, says Raina

Last updated on: September 29, 2015 23:19 IST
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Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane and Axar Patel interact with the media in Dharamsala on Tuesday

IMAGE: Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane and Axar Patel interact with the media in Dharamsala on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI

Senior India batsman Suresh Raina says the toss will play a crucial role in the first T20 International against South Africa in Dharamsala on Friday.

The match will mark the start of the 72-day series, comprising three T20Is, five ODIs and four Test matches.

Raina believes the team is brimming with confidence following the recent victory on Sri Lankan soil after 22 years.

- India's ODI and T20 squads for the South Africa series

"After beating Sri Lanka on their soil, Team India is enjoying high spirits. And as the team is undergoing a week-long training camp after 7-8 years before the start of a new series, the team is perfectly fit to face South Africa. The series shall be very interesting," said Raina, during a media interaction at the scenic high altitude ground.

"Toss is going to be the major factor here as the ball moves a lot during late hours. But it is not going to bother us as we are getting accustomed to the conditions," said the left-handed batsman.

Having represented India in 218 ODIs and 44 T20 matches, in comparison to 18 Tests, Raina is keen to prove his worth in the longer format via his limited-overs performance.

"I have a chance in upcoming T20 and ODI matches to prove myself and make a comeback for Test matches," said the 28-year-old player.

He was also flexible to adjusting in the batting order, saying whichever position the management desires, he is ready to bat.

Meanwhile Ajinke Rahane, who has proved his mettle in the longer format of the game, is also not too bothered about his batting position in the side.

He said India have comfortably adjusted to two different captains in Tests and limited-overs.

"Both Dhoni and Virat Kohli are excellent captains as both work on one goal, that is to take India to the top."

Rahane insisted that cricket is not an individual sport, but a team game and India have the capability to dominate the visiting South Africans.

Young left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who has represented India in 18 ODIs and two T20 matches, believes that even though turning the ball would be difficult on the fast-paced HPCA ground, the tweakers will benefit by the bounce.

Medium pacer Mohit Sharma said that the Indian think-tank has separate plans for South African ODI skipper AB de Villiers.

"We do have plans for AB Villiers. I think we should concentrate on the line and length and must avoid experimenting new areas in pace bowling," said the Haryana-born player.

"I know the conditions of Dharamsala ground as I am playing here since Under-19 days."

Also read:

- Agarwal shines as India 'A' beat South Africans in T20 warm-up

- Duminy has 'full faith' in SA's bowling despite T20 warm-up defeat

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