Ambati Rayudu, once a bright rising star, was lost to Indian cricket for reasons most intriguing. Even he has no answers. When Greg Chappell took over as India's coach in 2005, the Australian, in his notes, pencilled Rayudu as an ‘immensely gifted' youngster. There was hope. But it was a lofty thought that never really fructified. Again, Rayudu was lost.
That he is back in the reckoning is ironical. It is his Indian Premier League (IPL) show, and not the success in the domestic cricket, that is creating waves. True, Sachin Tendulkar saw him from close only when both batted for Mumbai Indians but the fact remains that Rayudu was made for higher league. He may have just begun his process of rejuvenation and a spot in the Indian team beckons him for the first time in a career that has meandered for some time now.
On the eve of the IPL match against Rajasthan Royals here, Rayudu is a step behind Tendulkar in aggregate of runs for Mumbai Indians. If his batting comes across as spicy, the roots can be traced to Guntur, his birthplace. It is a town marked by spice traders, especially red hot chilly. And Rayudu's style quite meets the spicy demands from the spectators. He is an entertainer!
Sitting pretty
With Mumbai Indians sitting pretty at the top of the table, the platform is ideal for Rayudu to perform. The Sawai Man Singh Stadium will not have a vacant seat when the teams meet on Friday. The presence of Tendulkar ensures more than a capacity turn out and the sell out ambience can be expected to produce a cracker.
There is a performer in the Rajasthan Royals camp too. In Shane Warne, the home team has a match-winner, in the same mould as Tendulkar. The two maestros have indulged in many a fascinating battle in the past on far more competitive fields. This would be an abridged version, if it happens, for T20 cricket creates mostly mini-contests.
That Rajasthan Royals occupies the fourth place in the table is a tribute to Warne's cricket. He commands unstinted support from the team and his imposing authority is one of the most enduring experiences that the young players can cherish. He is known to create magical moments on the field apart from boosting an individual achieve his potential in a short span.
Mumbai Indians is the glamour team of the IPL. Tendulkar signifies the batting thrust and Lasith Malinga the bowling teeth. Harbhajan Singh provides variety to the team's overall strength with Rayudu and the precociously talented Rohit Sharma the depth. It is a complete team.
Rajasthan Royals is beginning to settle down and strike a combination that can be effective in challenging situations. Warne is known to experiment with the batting order and the bowling options and knows his strong points well by now. Then the calming influence of Rahul Dravid means the team remains focused.
There is plenty for the spectators to savour. Rayudu, Rohit, Warne, Malinga — and above all, Tendulkar —the cricket lovers know it. The match is a sell out.
Tough job
Harbhajan Singh is “happy” that he is not a fast bowler. “It can be a tough job on the slow Indian pitches. It is not that all fast bowlers have been struggling. But, it can become tough in T20 cricket.
“You can't always succeed by bowling at 130k. You have to bowl 150k consistently or get the ball to swing. You have to have swing. I may be wrong, but I am happy I am spinner and not a fast bowler,” he said.
On Mumbai Indians doing well in this IPL, Harbhajan said, “We have been performing like a unit. We have had players chipping in at crucial moments. The batsmen have kept the momentum going and we have done collectively well in fielding too. The other night we beat CSK (Chennai Super Kings) because of our fielding and not my five wickets. We have players who can win from any situation.”
Harbhajan praised Shane Warne for his achievements and rated him an ideal role model. “It's been a privilege to have played against him. I have learnt a lot from him,” he said.
The 30-year-old off-spinner, with 393 Test and 255 ODI wickets, confirmed that he would be travelling to the West Indies. “I am looking forward to going to the West Indies,” he said.
