Ambati Rayudu, who has caught the eye with his flamboyant batting for Mumbai Indians in the on-going IPL, hopes that his team can give a fitting birthday gift for Sachin Tendulkar when it faces off against Deccan Chargers here on Sunday.
He said the entire team was excited at the huge opportunity of playing on Tendulkar's birthday and added, “we hope to beat Deccan Chargers and present a win as the birthday gift to him.”
Insisting that the ‘Master Blaster' gave him advice only when the situation demanded it, Rayudu said, “it is a big honour to play with Tendulkar. The learning process is on and I hope to keep improving.”
Rayudu, who quit Hyderabad and played for Baroda in the last Ranji season, is confident of doing better as the days go by. “Right now my focus is on IPL and I am not thinking too far ahead,” he said, replying to a query on whether he considered himself closer to national selection now.
“The important thing is that I am enjoying my game. And I owe a lot to Robin Singh who works a lot in the nets with me having known me since my under-19 days.
“And to Kiran More for my wicketkeeping,” added Rayudu.
Rayudu refused to entertain any questions on why he moved out of Hyderabad. “Let me enjoy the game,” he said before signing off.
