Happy with the runs flowing from his blade, India’s young middle order batsman Suresh Raina says he is particularly satisfied at having managed to read the enigmatic Sri Lankan spin twins — Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.Raina’s invaluable knock of 76 in the fourth one dayer not only earned him the Man of the Match award but also helped India take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.The left-hander attributed his knock to his ability to read the Sri Lankan spinners and said he could pick Mendis off his hand. “I was watching their hands, especially Mendis’s. My plan was that if I can read his hand I can play well,” he 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 was all praise for his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his constant support and his 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 and he always plays responsibly. We learn a lot while batting with him. It is good we got partnerships in two matches.”Raina credited his current fine form to the support staff and his stint in the Indian Premier League, where he played for the Chennai team. “I am getting into good shape now, thanks to the people who supported me, like Robin Singh, Gary Kirsten, Venkatesh Prasad and others. Hopefully, the intensity will remain,” he said.
