Rayudu makes No 4 his own

New Delhi – Rohit Sharma struck yet another fine hundred for India but it was probably Ambati Rayudu’s (above) relatively modest century on Monday which pleased India captain Virat Kohli more as he seeks an end to a pesky problem seven months before next year’s World Cup.

An undercooked middle order has been the direct result of having an in-form trio – Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli – at the top of India’s batting order of late.

The problem has been acute at No 4 with Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Lokesh Rahul and Dinesh Karthik being trialled there and found wanting.

Rayudu’s second 50-plus score in four matches against West Indies has filled Kohli with optimism he may not need to fret over the issue anymore.

“Rayudu has taken his opportunity with both hands,” Kohli said after the team’s victory in the fourth one-dayer against West Indies in Mumbai.

Rayudu exhibited both sides of his batting in his 211-run stand with Rohit on Monday, first playing second fiddle to his partner and then using the long handle to good effect in his brilliantly-paced knock of 100.

In the end, he matched Rohit’s four sixes and also reached the 50 and 100 marks in fewer balls.

“He reads the game really well, so we are happy that someone with intelligence is batting at four,” Kohli said.

Rohit was equally impressed with the ability of Rayudu, who registered his third ODI century on Monday.

“It was a very important knock,” the Indian vice-captain said of the 33-year-old.

“Hopefully Rayudu has solved all the mysteries of number four.” – Reuters