“Virat may get an edge over Raina” - When MS Dhoni hinted on India’s playing 11 for 2011 World Cup 

Ahead of the 2011 World Cup clash between India and Bangladesh, captain MS Dhoni gave an early indication of a player most likely to bat at No. 4. As per Dhoni, Kohli was most likely to be a preferred candidate ahead of Suresh Raina due to his impressive form.

The Indian team were on a tour to South Africa before the showpiece event, which played a key role in finalizing the XI and batting positions. Kohli batted at No. 3 in the series, while MS Dhoni/Yuvraj Singh played at No. 4/5 and Raina came in at No. 5/6.

In terms of form, Kohli ended as India's finest batter in the ODI series with 193 runs at an average of 48.25, with 87* as the top knock. Meanwhile, Suresh Raina was third among Indian batters with 111 runs at an average of 22.20.

Interestingly, both batters scored half-centuries in a warm-up game against New Zealand ahead of the tournament. Here's what Dhoni said after the game about the No. 4 position for India's opening game against Bangladesh.

"Right now it is a matter of deciding slots; it's the No. 4 slot where Virat Kohli needs to bat with Gautam [Gambhir] at No. 3, because to perform to his potential Virat needs to bat up the order," Dhoni said in Chennai. "Raina has done well for us batting at No. 5 and No. 6, still there's a bit of a chance that Virat may get an edge over Raina seeing the current form that he [Kohli] is in." [H/T ESPNcricinfo]

The form and the experience of playing in the powerplay certainly favored Virat Kohli, who eventually batted at No. 4 in the India-Bangladesh game. Meanwhile, Suresh Raina didn't feature in the XI.

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Virat Kohli scored a century against Bangladesh in 2011 World Cup

In the 2011 World Cup opening game on February 19, India were invited to bat first by Bangladesh in Mirpur. Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar (28) provided a steady 69-run stand for the Indian team. Then, Gautam Gambhir (39) joined hands with Sehwag to add 83 runs together.

Virat Kohli arrived to the crease at No. 4 and steered the team at a handsome rate along with Sehwag. The duo went on to stitch a mammoth 203-run stand, before Sehwag departed for a terrific 175 off 140 balls. Meanwhile, Kohli remained unbeaten on 100 off 83 balls, as the Men in Blue posted 370/4 on the board.

In response, Bangladesh finished on 283/9, with Tamim Iqbal (70) as the top-scorer. Munaf Patel was the pick of the bowlers with four scalps for India.