Suresh Raina: India will be aggressive

Suresh Raina during the second T20I against South Africa at Super Sport Park in Pretoria on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

Suresh Raina during the second T20I against South Africa at Super Sport Park in Pretoria on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

India batsman Suresh Raina said that the third and final T20 International today gives them a good chance of ending the tour of South Africa on a good note. India lost the first two Tests before salvaging some pride with a brilliant win in the third Test. The visitors claimed their first ODI bilateral series victory in South Africa with a 5-1 margin.

Raina has said that the first six overs are really important in the team's plans in T20 Internationals and they will look to go aggressive once again in the third match against SA here today. The series stands level at 1-1 with India looking to finish the tour on a high. "It is important (to attack). Virat (Kohli) showed that faith in me. In the last two games we have dominated in the first six overs. It is very important to play well in the first six overs.

"When you look to target the first six overs in T20s, you have to play your shots. Some times you get runs sometimes you don't, but I think when there is depth in the middle order you need to play really well in the first six overs. "You need to take chances in the first six overs when you are looking to chase or get big runs and that's what we have done as a batting unit," he added.

Raina stressed that India need to carry their momentum from the last week of January and finish off the tour well. "We have spoken about it in the team meeting as well. When you have been doing well in every game, then you need to finish well too. That is what Virat is all about. He never takes things easier, and on top of that you have MS and Ravi (Shastri) bhai who also give their inputs to the players. Virat has led the team well. We did well in Tests and won the ODI series. Dressing room is such that every one is enjoying this success and the process is such that everyone is giving their inputs to Ravi bhai."

Raina said he wants to use the opportunity to regain his place in ODIs ahead of the 2019 World Cup. "It is important to win a trophy first and important to go out there as a team mindset. So, we will see where I can fit in."

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