Ambati Rayudu hasn't convinced me yet at number four: Sourav Ganguly

Many are aware of the fact that Team India is far from a settled unit with the World Cup only four months away now. While there is no certain backup for Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah, the number four conundrum doesn’t seem to leave them. Virat Kohli, during Windies ODIs, had confirmed that Ambati Rayudu has sealed the position but his failure in the first ODI against Australia has once again opened up the debate.

Rayudu bagged a two-ball duck in the series opener in Sydney as the speedster Jhye Richardson pinned him in front of the stumps to leave India reeling at 4/3. There has been concerns over his performance against the quality oppositions before as well. Even the former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that Rayudu’s position in the team will be fixed only after he fares well against Australia and New Zealand.

I am concerned for him

“I’m concerned about Ambati Rayudu. He has scored runs in the sub-continent but India have to see if he can score runs outside the sub-continent because the World Cup is in England. He can’t bat anywhere below No.4. These games in Australia and New Zealand will be very important for him and will decide if he can be India’s No.4 or not,” Ganguly said while speaking to India TV.

The 46-year-old also added that the Hyderabad batsman hasn’t convinced him yet and for that to happen Rayudu needs to score heavily in the upcoming ODIs down under and New Zealand. “I’m not convinced unless Rayudu can score. Virat has claimed earlier that he has claimed the No.4 spot but he has to score runs. It’s imperative to allow Rayudu to play so that India can solve the No.4 spot dilemma,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rayudu will be tested in Adelaide as well with India chasing 299 runs to stay alive in the three-match series. This innings will be crucial for him and will also determine if India can also look at him as the long-term prospect for the dreaded number four spot.

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