Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu
Personal information
Full name Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu
Born (1985-09-23) 23 September 1985
Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Batting style Right handed
Bowling style Right arm off break
Role Batsman; Occasional wicket-keeper
International information
National side
ODI debut (cap 196) 24 July 2013 v Zimbabwe
Last ODI 12 July 2015 v Zimbabwe
T20I debut 7 September 2014 v England
Last T20I 5 October 2015 v South Africa
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2001/02–2009/10 Hyderabad
2005/06 Andhra
2010/11–present Baroda
2010–present Mumbai Indians (squad no. 9)
Career statistics
Competition ODI T20I FC LA
Matches 31 3 94 116
Runs scored 952 3 5,873 3,530
Batting average 45.33 1.50 44.83 37.95
100s/50s 2/5 0/0 15/32 3/26
Top score 124* 3* 210 124*
Balls bowled 108  – 792 408
Wickets 3  – 10 13
Bowling average 37.00  – 51.60 30.23
5 wickets in innings 0  – 0 0
10 wickets in match n/a  – 0 0
Best bowling 1/5  – 4/43 4/45
Catches/stumpings 10/- 2/- 72/- 53/-
Source: Cricinfo, 2 May 2016

Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu (born 23 September 1985) is an Indian professional cricketer. He is a right-handed middle-order batsman, who occasionally keeps the wicket, and a right-arm off break bowler. He plays for Baroda in domestic cricket, and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rayudu began his career playing for Hyderabad, making his first-class debut in the 2001-02 Indian cricket season. Strong domestic form brought him to the attention of the national selectors, who instated him as captain of the Indian Under-19 side, he was called as the next Sachin Tendulkar in his early stages, but a series of on-field incidents and disputes with domestic boards led to his ostracisation from the national side.[1] He was banned from Indian cricket due to his signing with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2007, although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made him an amnesty offer in 2009 after he cancelled his contract with the league, allowing him to return to Indian domestic cricket. In 2013, Rayudu was called up to the national team on a tour to Zimbabwe, where he finally made his debut for the senior Indian side in a One Day International on 24 July 2013.[1]

Early and personal life

Rayudu was born on 29 September 1985 in Guntur. His father Sambasiva Rao worked at the archives department. Rayudu has said in an interview that his father was his inspiration to take up cricket and put him into a coaching camp when he was in third grade.[2] Rayudu's father took him to the cricket academy of former Hyderabad cricketer Vijay Paul in 1992.[3] Paul recalls, "Rayudu’s father used to ferry him around on his scooter to the cricket camps and various matches." According to Abdul Azeem, Rao "used to stand about 50 metres away and watch Rayudu practice day-in and day-out."[4]

Rayudu completed his schooling from Bhavan's Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Sainikpuri.[5] He married Chennupalli Vidya, a college friend, on 14 February 2009.[6]

Career

Early promise

Rayudu began his career playing for Hyderabad youth teams in the late-1990s, playing at the Under-16 and Under-19 levels. He appeared for India Under-15s at the ACC Under-15 Trophy in 2000, finishing as the leading run-scorer of the tournament[7] and winning man of the match in the final against Pakistan.[8] Prolific run-scoring at age group levels saw him getting elevated to the senior team squad of Hyderabad. He made his first-class debut for Hyderabad in January 2002, at the age of 16, during the 2001–02 Ranji Trophy. Batting at 4, he scored 33 in that match, his only first-class appearance of the season.[9] Later that year, he was made captain of India Under-17s and also made appearances for India Under-19s.[10] On India Under-19 tour of England, his maiden Under-19 assignment, Rayudu batted as an opener and made a total of 291 runs from 3 innings and finished as the highest run-getter of the series which India swept 3–0.[11] His best efforts of the series came in the third ODI in which he scored a 169-ball 177 to single-handedly take his team to the target of 304 from a precarious position of 137 for 6.[12]

Rayudu appeared in all matches for Hyderabad in the 2002–03 Ranji Trophy and amassed a total of 698 runs at an average of 69.80 to finish third on the leading run-scorers list.[13] During the tournament, playing only his third Ranji game, Rayudu scored 210 and 159 not out against Andhra in the same match and "pressed his claims for an India cap".[14] He became the youngest player in the history of Ranji Trophy to score a double century and a century in the same match.[15]

In 2003, Rayudu played extensively for India A on its West Indies and England tours. He averaged 87 on the England tour following which experts opined that he is "sure to play for India in the near future". ESPNcricinfo wrote about the 17-year-old: "Touted as the next big hope for Indian middle-order batting, Rayudu has had the critics gushing about his scintillating strokeplay and his composure under pressure."[16] However he had a disappointing stint with India Seniors at the Challenger Trophy in September 2003, where his perceived weakness against the short ball was exploited.[17] He then failed to make an impression in the Emerging Players Tournament after which he played four matches in the following Ranji season with an average of over 54.[18] He captained India Under-19s to the title at the Asia Under-19 tournament, with an unbeaten fifty in the final.[19]

Rayudu captained the Indian team at the 2004 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh where India finished as semifinalists. He averaged 24.83 with the bat at the tournament[20] and was banned for the semifinal against Pakistan for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct in the previous match.[21] He struck an unbeaten century for India A against Kenya at Nairobi later that year.[22] He averaged just 11.93 from 7 matches in the 2004–05 Ranji Trophy,[23] but struck 3 fifties in 4 matches in the Ranji One-Day Trophy.[24]

Decline, ICL and return

Due to differences with the then Hyderabad coach Rajesh Yadav, Rayudu switched to Andhra for the 2005–06 season.[25] He averaged 35 in the Ranji Trophy that season and made headlines when he was attacked by Hyderabad player Arjun Yadav with stumps after Yadav was dismissed during the Andhra-Hyderabad match.[26] Rayudu returned to Hyderabad the following season after Vivek Jaisimha took over as the team's coach. Rayudu could play only three Ranji matches that season as he suffered a knee injury that kept him out of action.[25] In one of the three matches he scored 62 and 110 not out, against Rajasthan.[27] Upon returning from injury, he averaged 21 in the 2006–07 Ranji One-Day Trophy.[28]

Midway through 2007, the "rebel" Indian Cricket League (ICL) was formed. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which opposed the league, declared that players and officials affiliating with the ICL will be banned from Indian domestic cricket. In August 2007, it was reported that Rayudu and six other players from Hyderabad had already signed up for the ICL.[29] In an interview in November 2007, Rayudu backed his decision to play in the ICL by remarking, "I didn't want to play ten years of domestic cricket and feel that I have not played any international-quality opposition." He added that it was a chance "to play against quality opposition for three years and it will also be telecast on TV. People will hopefully see me perform. And I want to perform for my own personal satisfaction."[25] He played for Hyderabad Heroes and ICL India in the ICL from 2007 to 2008.

In 2009, the BCCI granted amnesty to 79 Indian players in the ICL, including Rayudu, allowing them to come back to Indian domestic cricket. Rayudu returned to play for Hyderabad and said he wanted to "concentrate on domestic cricket and push for the IPL."[30] Rayudu averaged 43 from 7 matches in the 2009–10 Ranji Trophy,[31] and 50 from 5 matches in the 2009–10 Vijay Hazare Trophy.[32] In early-2010, he was signed up by the Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2010 Indian Premier League.[33]

Before the 2010–11 season, Rayudu decided to play for Baroda after Hyderabad got relegated to the Plate Division of Ranji Trophy, with Hyderabad coach Venkatapathy Raju saying "it was done in bad taste".[34] At the Ranji Trophy that season, Rayudu finished as Baroda's leading run-getter with 566 runs in 9 matches at an average of 56.60 including an unbeaten double hundred and three half-centuries, while the team finished runners-up.[35] At the 2011–12 Ranji Trophy, he averaged 48.75 with two centuries.[36] He was then recalled to the India A squad on its New Zealand tour and scored 105 and 26 not out against New Zealand A at Lincoln.[37] He was also included in the 30 probables for the 2012 ICC World Twenty20[38] but failed to make it to the final 15-man squad.


In the 2012–13 Ranji Trophy season, Rayudu scored 666 runs at an average of 60.54 with a hundred and seven fifties. He played for Rest of India in the 2013 Irani Cup against Mumbai and scored 51 and 156*. He was the top-scorer in the 2012–13 Deodhar Trophy final where his innings of 78* helped West Zone chase down the target of 290 against North Zone.

International career

National call-up

The likes of Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Shikhar Dhawan and VRV Singh, who played under Rayudu's captaincy at the Under-19 level, went on to represent the national senior team while Rayudu was constantly ignored by the selectors. This was mainly due to him being a part of the now-defunct 'rebel' Indian Cricket League.

In December 2012, the newly formed selection panel picked Rayudu as the replacement player for the injured Manoj Tiwary for the T20 series against England. It is notable that the Chairman of this selection panel, Sandeep Patil, was also previously associated with the ICL.

During the West Indies tri-series in July 2013, Rayudu was named the replacement for Mahendra Singh Dhoni who was ruled out of the series due to a right hamstring injury.

ODI Debut

Rayudu was selected for the Indian tour of Zimbabwe 2013. He made his debut in the opening match of the series, on 24 July 2013, and was crucial in setting up an Indian win. He made 63* and in partnership with his captain, Virat Kohli, who made a century, helped India win. He became the 12th Indian batsman to score a half-century on his ODI debut. He was also a part of India's squads to South Africa in 2013, New Zealand in 2014, Asia Cup2014 and 2014 ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.Rayudu scored a crucial 58 vs Pakistan in the Asia cup but struggled against Bangladesh in a series where he scored only 18 runs in 3 matches.

Rayudu was a part of 17 man squad for the Royal London One Day Series against England in July 2014. He played in the 3rd ODI where he picked up the wicket of England captain Alastair Cook and made a crucial 64 not out with the bat.

On 6 November 2014 Rayudu made his first one-day international century against Sri Lanka by hitting 121* coming to bat at no 3.

On 10 July 2015 he made his second ton by hitting 124* against zimbabwe.Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson was on 13 July 2015 named as a replacement for injured Ambati Rayudu for the remainder of India’s tour of Zimbabwe.

2015 World Cup

Rayudu was selected in India's 15-member squad for the cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, beginning in February 2015[39]

Indian Premier League (2010–present)

Rayudu was with the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2010 as a middle order batsman/part-time wicketkeeper. His performance won many positive reviews from the critics and he was touted as a big name to be watched in the next IPL season. Being classified as an uncapped player, Rayudu was not a part of the IPL 2011 auction. Immediately after the auction, Siddhartha Mallya, Team Director of Royal Challengers Bangalore and son of RCB's owner Vijay Mallya flew to Vadodara and was seen meeting Rayudu during the Ranji Trophy final between Rajasthan and Baroda. The exact nature of the talks was unknown, but it was speculated that Rayudu rejected the offer. Mumbai Indians, who gave Rayudu a second chance after coming back from the ICL, bagged him for the 2011 season of IPL. He had another impressive season that year, scoring 395 runs in 16 matches, including 4 half-centuries. He scored a six of the last ball of the last league match against Kolkata Knight Riders to win the game on 22 May 2011, when a boundary was required. James Franklin was crucial in setting up Rayudu's last ball heroics by scoring 4 boundaries in that over and a single off of the 5th ball to give Rayudu the strike. The bowler on the receiving end of this was Lakshmipathy Balaji.

International centuries

One Day International centuries

Ambati Rayudu's One Day International centuries
# Runs Match Against City/Country Venue Year Result
1 121* 21  Sri Lanka India Ahmedabad, India Sardar Patel Stadium 2014 Won
2 124* 30  Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Harare, Zimbabwe Harare Sports Club 2015 Won

International awards

ODI cricket

Man of the series awards

# Series Season Match Performance Result
1 India in Zimbabwe 2015 165 Runs (2 Matches, 1×100) with avg. of 165.00  India Won the series 3-0.[40]

Man of the match awards

S No Opponent Venue Date Match Performance Result
1 Sri Lanka Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad 6 November 2014 2 ct. ; 121* (118 balls, 10×4, 4×6)  India won by 6 wickets.[41]
2 Zimbabwe Harare Sports Club, Harare 10 July 2015 124* (133 balls, 12×4, 1×6)  India won by 4 runs.[42]

References

  1. 1 2 Ravindran, Siddarth (24 July 2013). "Another Kohli ton in a chase, another India win". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  2. ↑ "I prefer to achieve small targets step by step: Rayudu". thatscricket.com. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "The second coming of Ambati Rayudu". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "Tracing the early steps". DNA India. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "Ambati Rayudu announces his arrival on the international stage with a bang". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Know your World Cup Warrior: Ambati Rayudu - From hurt locker to the dressing room". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Asian Cricket Council Under-15 Trophy 2000 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "India Under-15s v Pakistan Under-15s in 2000". CricketArchive. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  9. ↑ "Hyderabad v Himachal Pradesh in 2001/02". CricketArchive. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "Under-19 limited overs Matches played by Ambati Rayudu". CricketArchive. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "Under-19 ODI Batting and Fielding for India Under-19s". CricketArchive. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "'As a cricketer, I'm really tough'". Rediff. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Ranji Trophy 2002/03 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "Rayudu smashes second ton against Andhra". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "Rayudu keeps date with history". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
  16. ↑ "The settled middle order". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  17. ↑ "Great idea, poor execution". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  18. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Ranji Trophy 2003/04 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  19. ↑ "India Under-19s v Sri Lanka Under-19s in 2003/04". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  20. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in ICC Under-19 World Cup 2003/04 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  21. ↑ "Rayudu banned for semi-final". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  22. ↑ "Kenya v India A in 2004". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  23. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Ranji Trophy 2004/05 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  24. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Ranji Trophy One Day 2004/05 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  25. 1 2 3 "Interview: Ambati Rayudu - The rebel's tale". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  26. ↑ "Ambati Rayudu attacked". Rediff. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  27. ↑ "Rajasthan v Hyderabad in 2006/07". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  28. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Ranji Trophy One Day 2006/07 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  29. ↑ "ICL moves for Hyderabad players, state unit reacts". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  30. ↑ "Where do we go from here?". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  31. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Ranji Trophy 2009/10 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  32. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2009/10 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  33. ↑ "Former ICL players named in IPL". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  34. ↑ "Ambati Rayudu to play for Baroda". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  35. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Ranji Trophy 2010/11 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  36. ↑ "Batting and Fielding in Ranji Trophy 2011/12 (Ordered by Runs)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  37. ↑ "New Zealand A v India A in 2012/13". CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  38. ↑ "Yuvraj included in World T20 probables". Wisden India. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  39. ↑ dna web team. "World Cup 2015: BCCI announces 15 member squad;". DNA. Diligent Media Corporation. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  40. ↑ "India in Zimbabwe ODI Series, 2015". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  41. ↑ "Sri Lanka in India ODI Series, 2014 - 2nd ODI".
  42. ↑ "India in Zimbabwe ODI Series, 2015 - 1st ODI".

External links

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