Suresh Raina Century Was Crucial - MS Dhoni

Indian captain MS Dhoni has paid tribute to the century Suresh Raina scored against England in the second One-Day International in Cardiff, saying it was crucial to the outcome of the match.

Please note this video will remain available until 10th September 2014, after which time it will display the most up to date content instead of MS Dhoni and Alastair Cook.

Raina hit 100 in 75 balls, helping India recover from 110 for three to post 304 for six.

Dhoni made 52, sharing a partnership of 144 with Raina for the fifth wicket before England were bowled out for 161 to hand India a convincing 133-run win on the Duckworth/Lewis method.

But for Dhoni, Raina's innings was the key for them scoring as many runs as they did.

"Well I think it was fantastic, the reason being by the end of the 30th over, I don't know what the score was, but I don't think we had scored too many, so it was important that he stayed there because he was one batsman who was set," he said.

"What we have realised is that if he can get a partnership going and we have wickets in hand, we can get a lot of runs in the last 10, 11, 12 overs, and that's why his innings was very crucial.

"Of course he is someone who scores at a very good pace and plays authentic cricket shots, so I feel he played a fantastic innings and he continued once he got his fifty.

"He continued to move ahead and played some brilliant shots after that, and it was good to see him score the hundred."

Meanwhile, Dhoni's opposite number Alastair Cook was left to rue a dismal performance, and was frank enough to admit that his side underperformed.

"We didn't play well and we paid for that today," he said, before trying to pick out some positives.

"You can look at some good spots I suppose, I though Chris Woakes (who took two for eight in his opening bowling spell) bowled nicely up front and came back pretty strong when the carnage was happening.

"Obviously it wasn't a 300 wicket (India's score) and it wasn't a 160 wicket (England's score).

"It's one game, isn't it, one day of cricket. When you don't get it right like we've done today, it's not the end of the world at all.

"It's frustrating but you don't win every game of cricket you play and you certainly don't win many when you play like that.

"But the lads in the changing room will know that, they don't need me to tell them that. So it's dust ourselves off and try and come back and play better next time."

Trent Bridge hosts the third game in the five-match series on Saturday 30th August.

Video provided by SNTV

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