Raina unlocks Mendis's secret

Colombo, Aug 28 (UNI) Revealing his game plan to handle Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis, India's middle-order batsman Suresh Raina expressed satisfaction over been able to read the enigmatic Sri Lankan spin duo's secret.

Raina's incredible 76 runs in the fourth one-day match not only earn him the Man of the Match award but also helped India to take away the series in aLanka land by a 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

However, Raina said he came out with couple of runs in the fourth match as he was able to read the SriLankan spinners which also helped him to pick Mendis off his hand.

''I was watching their hands, especially Mendis. My plan was that if I can read his hand I can play well. That was the game plan, the left-handed batsman said.

''I think I was able to read both Murali and Mendis well. Scoring 76 and helping my team win is satisfying,'' he added.

Raina also praised skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his support and leadership skills.

''Whenever we are at the nets or batting together, he tells me how to plan. He is such a class reader of the game; he always plays with responsibility. We learn a lot from him while batting with him.

It is good we got partnerships in two matches,'' he asserted.

Raina said after the last month's Asia Cup disappointment, the young guns under Dhoni wanted to do well in Sri Lanka.

''Since we lost the final of Asia Cup in Pakistan, we were very keen to do well in Sri Lanka. We put up a good show here and won a historic series,'' he said after the match yesterday..

UNI XC PY AB RAI1945