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Putting rest to the burning debate around the number four spot in India’s batting order – Ambati Rayudu produced a scintillating knock during the fourth ODI against West Indies to give the hosts 2-1 lead in the ongoing five-match ODI series. Coming in to bat at no. 4, Rayudu scored his third hundred that propelled India to a mammoth score of 377/5 in 50 overs. The target later seemed insurmountable for the visitors who bundled out for a paltry 153, handing over India their biggest ODI win (in terms of runs) over a full-member nation.
Following Rayudu’s brilliant knock, Indian captain Virat Kohli and his deputy Rohit Sharma have thrown their weight behind the 33-year old batsman and backed him in the run-up to next year’s ICC World Cup in England and Wales.
READ | 5th ODI: Kohli And Co. Aim to Seal Series With Another ‘Clinical Show’ Against Windies
However, Rayudu’s innings was overshadowed by Rohit, who played yet another blazing knock (162) that powered India to a huge total. Speaking after the Mumbai ODI to cricket experts – Mohammad Kaid and VVS Laxman, Rayudu made a big revelation around his eating habits that helped him into his transformation as a thoroughly professional cricketer.
Hailing from Guntur, a city in Andhra Pradesh – Rayudu said he loves ‘Biryani’ and he had to give up on his favourite food to play for Team India. He also added that it’s been almost three months since he last tasted the biryani.
It was the Rohit-Rayudu show in Mumbai as India romped to their biggest ever ODI win against a full member nation to take a 2-1 lead into the final match of the series.#INDvWI REPORT 👇https://t.co/UMEEXNlFKf pic.twitter.com/7bZpnv1d7A
— ICC (@ICC) October 29, 2018
After an ordinary outing in the 2017 edition of cash-rich Indian Premier League, Rayudu compensated with a stellar performance in this season of the domestic league as he amassed 605 runs which eventually forced the selectors to take notice of his performance. He was later picked for India’s much-hyped tour to England but couldn’t board the flight after failing the ‘Yo-Yo’ test.
During the fourth ODI against Windies, Rayudu walked in at a crucial juncture with the hosts in a little spot of bother at 101/2. After the dismissals of in-form Virat Kohli and opener Shikhar Dhawan, the two ex-IPL teammates – Rayudu and Rohit knitted an important 211-run stand for the third wicket. The partnership took India towards a match-winning total but sans the loss of wickets given the unpredictability of India’s lower middle-order.
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