Raina's batting position quandary should be resolved now

The ODI series between the Lankans and India is about to begin within two-three days and while the batting line-up and the first-choice bowling options pretty much confirm themselves without the need to think too much about anything, I am a still concerned about how Suresh Raina is being handled. I can clearly remember that in his comeback season, Raina was given a chance to bat at number 3/4, and he did a very good job, scoring much very critical half-centuries. However, during the 'Mini' World Cup, he was found wanting against the short-ball and further, his compulsive pulling habit further did him in.
However, the way he was quickly yanked back to the number 6 - 7 slot after just one average tournament outing wherein the entire team had actually failed as a unit, was a bit surprising. Further, since that debacle, Raina has never been given another chance in the top four, fearing that his limitations against the short-pitched stuff might get further exposed. But does the Indian team really need to think about such an issue so seriously when it is clear that Suresh Raina is being wasted, almost finds himself confused, in the lower middle order, where he is invariably asked to come-in when the runrate is around 8-runs per over mark or the batting order has tanked? Just look around the nine, main test playing nations and nearly every team has a handful of batsmen who cannot handle quality, pacey bowling. Then why this special treatment for Raina? Even Ganguly was found handicapped when bowlers started hitting around the rib-cage length but he did overcome the issue because he was persisted with, as an opener.

Lack of sponsors for Indian team..hard to believe!

It is really hard to comprehend the story that is being put forth by the BCCI wherein they say that they have just somehow managed to get an extended sponsorship deal from Sahara for another six months due to severe shortage of capable sponsors who are willing to pay the deamanded amount. This is when the BCCI is supposed to be the strongest and the most cash-rich body in the cricketing world and is about to host the next World Cup (2011)!

What is even more baffling is the fact that analysts say that this has little to do with aftermath of the economic recession and more to do with team sponsors not getting enough media exposure or positive market sentiments out of their association with the Indian team> again, something shocking considering how the Indian cricket players are worshipped at home and by Indian fan community across the globe.