Ambati Rayudu surpasses MS Dhoni: The Indian middle-order batsman has went past the veteran wicket-keeper batsman.
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During the first ODI of the ongoing India’s tour of New Zealand at Napier, India middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu went past former India captain and current wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni in terms of batsmen with highest ODI batting average in successful run chases.
Rayudu came in to bat at No. 4 when India required only 24 runs in more than 20 overs. Having scored 13* (23) with the help of two fours, Rayudu’s ODI batting average during successful chases went past Dhoni.
UPDATE!
Highest ODI batting average in successful run chases:
Min 15 mins
103.33 – Ambati Rayudu
103.07 – MS Dhoni
96.94 – Virat Kohli
91.00 – Russel Arnold
86.25 – Michael Bevan#NZvInd— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 23, 2019
While there is a massive difference in their overall numbers, Rayudu has surpassed his Chennai Super Kings captain at one front at the highest level. Given the kind of record, Dhoni has it in him to easily overdo Rayudu in the matches to come.
After looking out of sorts in the first two matches against Australia earlier this month, Rayudu was left out of the playing XI for the series-decided at Melbourne. The 33-year old right-hand batsman would be looking to make the most of all the opportunities which come his way for all these matches are nothing but audition rounds for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Ambati Rayudu is not a No 4 option 😰
Not anywhere near.
Too Rusty!#INDvNZ #NZvIND— Manish 🇮🇳 (@IManish311) January 23, 2019
Rayudu still looks disabled
— Akki (@CrickPotato1) January 23, 2019
At this rate, Rayudu will play himself out of the WC
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) January 23, 2019
In the last 109 deliveries, India have scored just one boundary – even that, an edge off Rayudu’s bat. They’ve just had a nice practice session off this. #NZvIND
— Rishad D’souza (@RDcric) January 23, 2019
With other middle-order options in wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik and all-rounder Kedar Jadhav proving their mettle in daunting situations in the recent times, one feels they have put forward a better case than Rayudu.
Going by the words of the team management and selectors, one feels that wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant might also be given a go during the ODI series against Australia at home next month.
In such a competitive scenario, Rayudu has no option than to put on display his A-game. The same calls for an intriguing set of matches in the next couple of months.
