‘Main Hoon Na’….that is what Suresh Raina might have been telling his team after scoring a match-winning century.
 
He set the IPL alight and now Suresh Raina made the world notice of his batting prowess with a sparkling century against South Africa in the Twenty20 World Cup.
 
The left-hander made 101 from 60 balls to power India to a comfortable 14-run victory for their second victory in a row in the tournament.
 
As expected, Raina was peppered with a few short deliveries at the start of his innings by the South African pacer. But he showed great application and slowly repaired the Indian innings after a couple of early wickets.
 
Once the foundation had been laid, he set about taking the bowling apart in the final overs.
 
Rory Kleinveldt was hit for three boundaries in a row followed by a six in his final over by Raina. The youngster then sent Albie Morkel into the stands over midwicket for another maximum to bring up his century, the first by an Indian in Twenty20 Internationals.
 
Raina’s assault saw India hammer 75 runs in the final five overs to post an imposing 186 for five in their 20 overs.
 
South Africa’s task was always going to be difficult but they didn’t help their cause with some mindless batting against the Indian spinners.
 
India used as many as four spinners and South Africa were struggling to find the boundaries against the slow bowlers. Jacques Kallis hit a steady half-century before unleashing a barrage of sixes, but by then it was too late and India were firmly in control of the match.
 
Fresh from their exploits in their IPL and after two crushing victories in a row, the Team India certainly starts as the favourites for the Twenty20 World Cup.
 

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