3 Answers to India’s ODI Middle Order puzzle

#2 Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu would want to deliver on his promise

Ambati Rayudu was unfortunate to miss out on the England tour, courtesy a failed ‘yo-yo’ test. Since then, he has gotten his act together and is playing for the India A side in the quadrangular series.

Rayudu’s career has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After being tipped for success at the tender age of 16, he lost his way and ended up in the rebel ICL.

He then came back into the fold and shone with the bat for Mumbai Indians in 2010 and 2011, before earning his India cap in 2013. At 32 years of age, the next few years represent the last opportunity for Rayudu to deliver on his exponential promise.

Despite averaging a shade over 50 in ODIs, Rayudu has never been a regular for the team. Rayudu is a flamboyant stroke-maker who has the ability to mix caution with aggression.

He plays every shot in the book and it was on display in this year’s IPL, where he emerged CSK’s top run-getter.

Over the years, Rayudu has started displaying an incredible hitting prowess. It is his new-found hitting prowess which makes him a prime candidate to slot into India’s middle order.

Not many cricketers have faced as many setbacks as Rayudu. The way he keeps rising after every setback shows the innate mental strength he possesses.

With the World Cup testing every player out, mentally as well as technically, Rayudu seems the ideal player to help solve India’s middle-order muddle.

With the Asia Cup on the horizon, Rayudu would hope he gets his long-overdue chance. On the other hand, the Indian team and the fans would hope Rayudu can cement his place in India’s middle-order.