New Delhi: Indian batsman Suresh Raina on Tuesday said skipper MS Dhoni's should be given credit for the team's 3-0 whitewash of Australia in the recently concluded T20I series.
Speaking to reporters at unveiling of the Rajkot IPL team 'Gujarat Lions', the southpaw felt the Men in Blue will have an extra edge going into the World T20 on home soil after their historic win Down Under.
"Whichever opposition you play, it was important for us to beat Australia on their home turf. Also since we beat them 2-0, we are now the No.1 ranked T20 team in the world. The win was a testimony that we prepared well. We will have an extra edge going into the World T20. Credit should be given to the captain and the support staff," Raina told mediapersons.
Newcomers to the Indian team - Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah – also impressed the 29-year-old.
"It is not easy for youngsters to tour Australia in their first series. The youngsters showed required toughness and mental character and they should be lauded for their performance," said Raina, who is one short of completing 50 T20Is for the country.
Raina and Dhoni will face-off against each other for the first time in the Indian Premier League after a two-year ban was imposed on their former team Chennai Super Kings.
Dhoni and Raina were the first picks of Pune and Rajkot respectively in the draft.
(With PTI inputs)
