Raina speaks on Dhoni's ideal batting spot, update on Rahane injury and more - Cricket News Today, 6th March 2019

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India won a close game in Nagpur against Australia in the second ODI and took a 2-0 lead. After Virat Kohli’s 40th ton propelled India to 250, the Indian bowlers came back well as they eked out an eight-run win.

England were back to winning ways as they beat the Windies in the first T20I in St Lucia. Tom Curran’s four-wicket haul and Jonny Bairstow’s 68 overshadowed Nicholas Pooran’s exploits in the first innings as England romped home with seven balls to spare (chasing 161).

The Super League of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is set to start a couple of days later and Suresh Raina has credited the domestic T20 competition as ideal preparation for the upcoming IPL. Also, Ajinkya Rahane is scheduled to miss the rest of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Here are all the top news that made headlines in the cricketing world today.

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#1 MS Dhoni best suited in lower middle order: Suresh Raina

There has been a lot of debate surrounding the ideal batting position for MS Dhoni in limited-overs cricket. While most of them feel he needs to bat higher up the order which allows him to get his eye in, Suresh Raina reckons otherwise. Raina who has played for a long time under MS Dhoni feels that the former skipper is best suited to bat at No. 5 or 6 and don the finisher’s role.

“For MS, the ideal position would be number five or six. He is such a keen reader of the game and brings years of experience. When required he can build up an innings and his finishing skills are unmatched,” Raina was quoted saying in an interview.

Dhoni has largely batted at No. 5 this year and has been very successful. He has scored 301 runs at an average of 100.33 this year and he was also the Man of the Series in Australia.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane to miss the remainder of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy due to injury

Ajinkya Rahane

Mumbai have been jolted with a big blow ahead of the Super League of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane is all set to miss the remainder of the tournament, following his thigh injury. Rahane scored 58 runs in six innings in the tournament and registered just one 30+ score.

The Indian Test vice-captain has informed the selectors about his unavailability as well. “He has informed the selectors about his unavailability due to injury,” sources were quoted saying by TOI.

Mumbai have had a terrible domestic season thus far and just when things seemed to be back on track, they’ve been hit by this injury blow. Shreyas Iyer will lead the side in the absence of Rahane. Mumbai won five out of their six league games as they topped Group C. They now face Karnataka in their first Super League game on March 8th.

#3 Darren Lehmann appointed as Brisbane Heat’s head coach

Darren Lehmann

Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann is all set to resume coaching duties again. He will now be Brisbane Heat’s new head coach after Daniel Vettori stepped down after the completion of this season.

Lehmann resigned as Australia’s head coach after the fallout of the infamous ball-tampering scandal that broke out Cape Town last year. Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were suspended due to their actions and subsequently, Lehmann stepped down.

However, the 49-year-old was associated with Fox Sports for this season’s Big Bash as he took up a commentary role. He will join the Brisbane Heat next season. In fact, this will be Lehmann’s second stint with the Brisbane Heat. He led the Heat to their maiden title back in 2012-13 before he joined the Australian team.

The Heat will look to replicate that season under Lehmann after they finished fifth this season.

Really happy for @darren_lehmann! Great stuff @HeatBBL. Great appointment.

— Peter Psaltis (@peterp79) March 6, 2019

#4 Wasn’t fortunate enough to share the dressing room with MS Dhoni: Hanuma Vihari

Hanuma Vihari

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is probably one of the biggest names in Indian cricket and he has certainly inspired a generation. Even modern day players look up to the former Indian captain and the current Indian players have enjoyed sharing the dressing room with him.

Meanwhile, there is one player who considers himself unlucky not to have shared the dressing room with Dhoni. Hanuma Vihari has had a decent start to his international career and in an interview with Times Now, he revealed that while his idol is Sachin Tendulkar, he would’ve loved to share the dressing room with Dhoni.

“I would have loved to share the dressing room with MS Dhoni, but I would not say ‘regret’ but I was not fortunate enough to share the dressing room with him. But maybe in future, you never know,” Vihari was quoted saying by Times Now.