Raina shows his class to set up winning total against Pakistan in the semifinal

Raina arrived at 187 for five at the start of the 38th over. Sachin Tendulkar had just departed. Someone needed to convert the Little Master’s industry into something of substance.

He was immediately busy, sweeping, chipping, working, dinking and scampering between the wickets. He was the only player who seemed to be able to unravel the mysteries of Sajid Ajmal, who was certainly too perplexing for Tendulkar.

He lost partners – Dhoni to a flick across the line, Harbhajan and Zaheer, not for the first time – to irresponsible shots. But with a mixture of deft placement, agile footwork and a great eye, he manufactured 43 runs from the batting power play, including a priceless 12 off an over from Umar Gul, driving his attempted yorkers crisply past mid-off.

On the scoreboard an innings of 36 not out looks unremarkable. But down the order such an innings which converts a chaseable score to one that is genuinely challenging, is invaluable.