Ambati Rayudu cementing the number four position in the Indian batting line-up would solve the problems with the middle-order reckons skipper Virat Kohli.
The Indians have had issues with their middle-order in recent times and Kohli said that it was all about giving Ambati Rayudu enough game time till the World Cup at the number four position which would solve the problem.
“The only position we were trying to figure out was number four for a long time. We tried many players who unfortunately could not capitalise or cement their places in a way we wanted,” Kohli, as quoted by PTI, said, ahead of India’s first ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati.
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“With Rayudu coming in and playing well in the Asia Cup, it’s about giving him enough game time till the World Cup so that the particular slot will be sorted for us,” he added.
Rayudu had a terrific IPL this year for the eventual champions Chennai Super Kings where he scored 602 runs striking at 149. 75 with an average of 43.00.
He was called up for the tour of England earlier this year but failed to make it because of his failure in being able to clear the Yo-Yo test.
Nonetheless, he was a part of the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side in the Asia Cup last month where he played a crucial role in the middle-order to help his team win the title in the UAE.
He filled in the shoes of skipper Kohli at number three and scored 175 runs in six matches, averaging 43.75–a performance which makes him a hot contender for the number four spot in the Indian batting line-up.
“The team felt there — and I also watched him — that he (Rayudu) is designed to play that middle order batsman’s role. We feel that our middle-order is more or less balanced now,” the captain said.
“We believe he is the right person to capitalise on that spot. He is experienced and has won many games for his state and also in the IPL. He has a great ODI record already for India. I think the batting order is sorted,” he added further.
India would play around 18 one-dayers before the World Cup in England next year as they gear up for the five-match series beginning tomorrow at the Assam Cricket Association Barsapara Stadium.
Image credit-The Asian Age