Published: Jul 11, 2015, 08:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Jul 11, 2015, 12:21 AM (IST)
Ambati Rayudu played a match-winning knock. His 133-ball 124 not out helped India reach a respectable total after a poor start against Zimbabwe in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Harare. India went into the Zimbabwe tour with a second-string team, resting senior players like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Pramod Ananth believes, if Rayudu continues to play like this, he can find a place in the regular Indian team as well. Full Scorecard: India vs Zimbabwe 2015, 1st ODI
India had lost Murali Vijay early. Rayudu walked in at the all important No.3 position. Wickets fell all around him, but he remained unfazed. India were reduced 87 for 5 in the 25th over. With half the side back in the hut, Rayudu was joined by Stuart Binny. READ: India vs Zimbabwe 2015: Visitors face batting order conundrum
India were in desperate need of building a partnership. Rayudu and Binny were the last recognised pair at the crease. They needed to ensure no more quick wickets lost. Once that was done, they needed to consolidate thereafter. READ: Indian cricketers to watch out for during tour of Zimbabwe
Rayudu was circumspect towards the beginning . He and Binny went past the 50-run stand with Rayudu already have gotten past his fifty. Binny seized the initiative after that, and India were getting a boundary almost every over in the last 10 overs. Rayudu joined the party with some hefty blows. Binny fell for 77 in the last ball of the penultimate over, but Rayudu managed to bat through without any trouble. READ: India Cricket Team Football XI
The full-strength line-up has Kohli batting at No. 3, Ajinkya Rahane at No. 4 and Suresh Raina at No. 5. This innings from Rayudu ensured he keeps the non-performers on their toes. The selectors should be delighted with this innings and will be more than happy to give Rayudu a place in the Indian team when somebody does not perform. READ: Zimbabwe will fancy their chances against ‘second-string’ India
India lost the three-match series in Bangladesh for the first time in history. Dhoni’s men came under scrutiny after their defeat, and it will not be surprising if some big names are dropped from the current setup. Rohit Sharma is certainly one of them. He has gotten off to starts of late but has often failed to convert his starts into big ones. Suresh Raina falls under the same category as well. They should not take their place for granted under any circumstances. READ: India select a perfect squad for tour of Zimbabwe
If they continue to do so, players like Rayudu are just waiting to enter the fray. Rayudu showed that if he is given ample time, he can score make it big. The last time Rayudu scored a century was against Sri Lanka in 2014 in their den. Just like today, Rayudu came in at No. 3 even in that game after India had lost an early wicket chasing 275. He scored at over a run-a-ball and ensured India won with 33 balls to spare. READ: India must tweak ODI team following series loss to Bangladesh
Rayudu has always had the talent to shine on the big stage. With two more ODIs to follow in the series, he will look to score big runs and help his side register a win once again. If he does so, many ‘seniors’ in the Indian team will not breathe easy and rightly so! READ: Will the Ajinkya Rahane captaincy gamble work?
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
