Australia vs India: Ambati Rayudu reported for suspect bowling action

Team India played Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday (January 12). It was a forgettable game for the visiting team as their middle-order failed yet again and they fell 34 runs short of the chase conceding a 1-0 lead to the Aussies. They went into the game with a five-bowler attack and had no part-time options available either. In such a case skipper Virat Kohli used Ambati Rayudu to rotate his bowlers.

Rayudu who has the responsibility of the No.4 position on the batting order bowled just a couple of overs. He did a decent job spending 13 runs but Kohli will have to reconsider his decision of using Rayudu. The 33-year-old who bowls right-arm offbreak has been reported by the on-field umpires for a suspect bowling action after the game.

The action will be scrutinised further as per the ICC’s regulation and process and he has 14 days to appear for a test at an ICC approved centre. Till the time, reports of those tests are not out and he is found guilty, Rayudu is free to bowl in international cricket.

Has to undergo a test in 14 days

“The match officials’ report, which was handed over to the India team management, cited concerns about the legality of the 33-year-old off-spinner’s bowling action. Rayudu’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions reported in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

He is required to undergo testing within 14 days, and, during this period, Rayudu is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known,” an ICC Media Release stated.

Rayudu’s bowling career

Thus far in his ODI career, the cricketer has played 49 matches and bowled 20.1 overs in 9 innings. He isn’t really a partnership breaker and more of a rotation alternative – his numbers from those matches: 3 wickets and an economy of 6.14 definitely suggest that.

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