IPL 2016: Suresh Raina says Dwayne Smith is team's 'main all-rounder'

Smith’s four-wicket haul restricted KKR to 124 in 20 overs

Gujarat Lions captain Suresh Raina praised his teammate Dwayne Smith and described him as the 'main all-rounder' after his four-wicket haul helped the team win by six-wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur on Thursday.

Batting first, Gautam Gambhir's side were restricted to 124 runs in 20 overs after the batting line-up was demolished by Smith, who picked Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Piyush Chawla and Shakib Al Hasan. GL took just 13.3 overs to chase down the target after Raina's knock of 53 off 36.

Raina said that the last two games are crucial for them to get to the playoffs. "I think the last two games are really important for us. When you are in doubt to reach top four, then you have to win each and every game.

"I think Smith had bowled really well. I have always felt he is not the main batsman, but he is always a main all-rounder. He has always hit the ball really hard. At the same time, when he chips in and bowl crucial four overs that set the game for us," he said post the win. The left-handed batsman also called on his team to maintain the same momentum in their next game as well.”

Talking about his performance, Smith said, "I hit the areas I wanted to hit and it paid off for me. From the day we landed, it has been very hot, so I just tried to relax in my room. I told myself that I'm good enough to bowl here as well. So I keep backing myself and I know things will work well for me that way."

Raina also became the highest run scorer in the tournament, snatching the record back from his Royal Challengers Bangalore counterpart Virat Kohli, after smashing a six off Morne Morkel in the sixth over.

Kohli went past his Indian teammate's record on Wednesday and became first batsman to amass 4000 runs after he scored his fourth century of the season during his side's 82-run victory over Kings XI Punjab in Bangalore.

Unlike the other new entrant Rising Pune Supergiants, Gujarat Lions have been consistently performing in the tournament. With this win, they are currently in second spot on the points table, winning eight of the 13 matches they have played so far.

They will be facing Mumbai Indians, who are currently in the fifth position, at the same venue on May 21.