Ahead of the first ODI against West Indies, India skipper Virat Kohli has backed Ambati Rayudu to end India’s long search for a reliable number four batsman.
The middle-order especially the number four spot has been a major area of concern for the team for quite some time now. It is the link between the top-order and the lower middle-order and the right man needs to occupy it in order to keep the balance of the playing XI intact.
But while India’s top-order has been in red-hot form for quite some time now, the number four spot has given the team-management a big headache. The Indian camp has been experimenting extensively since the second half of last year but without much success. Going back to the Sri Lankan tour in July-August last year, through the ODI series against Australia and New Zealand, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina were tried at that position but none of them managed to impress.
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With the next World Cup less than a year ago, time is running out for the Indian team. They do not have much games before the showpiece event to try out new players. The latest to be tried out is Ambati Rayudu.
And skipper Virat Kohli feels Rayudu can end the team’s long wait for a number four.
“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 said.
“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.
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Rayudu returned to the ODI team after a gap of two years following a stunning season in the IPL. Rayudu amassed a staggering 602 runs at a brilliant average of 43.00 and a superb strike rate of 149.75. He made it to the squad for the England tour but later lost his place due to the failure to clear the yo-yo test.
He regained his spot back in the national side after passing the test and impressed straightaway in the Asia Cup. The right-hander scored 175 runs in six innings at an average of 43.75.
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And with the backing of skipper Kohli, Rayudu looks set to be India’s man at number four for the World Cup.
“We feel that our middle-order is more or less balanced now,” Kohli 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. Now these 18 games would be to find the perfect combination that we want to take into the World Cup,” the Indian skipper added.
India will take on Windies in the first ODI of the five-match series on Saturday.
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