5 India performances that didn't get the recognition they deserve

#4 Suresh Raina, World Cup Quarterfinal 2011

Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina scripted a remarkable win for India

Having won the World Cup in 1999, 2003 and 2007, Australia were on a roll in 2011 as well, but it was India who finally took their wheels off in the marquee quarter-final at Ahmedabad. It was the partnership between Yuvraj and Raina that made all the difference as they remained together until the winning runs were scored and India progressed to the semifinals.

Yuvraj played the lead role with Raina in support, and somewhere along that, Raina’s innings went uncredited. India’s run-chase saw almost all batsmen getting out at the wrong time. The team seemed in a spot of bother at 187-5, still requiring 74 runs to win as Suresh Raina joined Yuvraj Singh in the middle.

Although several overs were left for India to chase down the target, one couldn’t help but think about the batting collapses by India in the past, and both the batsmen had to play very carefully. The duo put on a match-winning partnership as India won with two overs to spare.

While Yuvraj scored an unbeaten 57 and was awarded the Man-of-the-Match, Raina scored a 28-ball 34. If Yuvraj was not well supported by Raina, India’s batting might have collapsed. The cautiousness with which Raina protected the wickets went unnoticed.