ICC World Cup 2019: Dwayne Bravo names India’s No.4 of the tournament

Ambati Rayudu will be tense ahead of India’s announcement of their squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup but his mate in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) feels India will be requiring somebody like him at their No.4 in the big tournament. Bravo’s kind words came after the 33-year-old middle-order batsman scored a crucial 57 off 47 balls in the match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Jaipur on Thursday. Rayudu put up a significant 95-run partnership with skipper MS Dhoni (58) to help the CSK chase down the target of 152 after losing 4 wickets for only 24.

Rayudu though is nowhere near the form that he was in last year, totalling over 600 runs from 16 games with the highest score of 100 not out. He particularly made a name as a floater in the CSK’s high-profile batting order as the franchise went on to lift its third title after returning from a two-year suspension. Rayudu responded well to a pressure situation on a two-paced wicket at Sawai Mansingh Stadium and Bravo praised him for that.

“Over the years, that’s his [Rayudu’s] strong point. One of the few players in the world that play the situations very, very well,” Bravo, who is out of the IPL for two weeks because of a Grade 1 hamstring tear, said while interacting with Rayudu in a video post on the CSK’s social media account. Rayudu hit three sixes and two boundaries during his knock. It was Mitchell Santner’s last-ball six that sealed the game in favour of the CSK by 4 wickets.

‘I fully endorse Ambati Rayudu’

“This innings is very special in the context of the game, batting with the captain. Obviously, Team India will need someone like you for the World Cup, batting at No. 4. That too in England, you need a proper, proper batsman. I, DJ Bravo, fully endorse Ambati Rayudu,” Bravo added.

Powered by his good show in the IPL last year, Rayudu was being looked up to as India’s No.4 in the World Cup but an ordinary run with the bat in 2019 has put that possibility under doubt even though India have no readymade replacement for the key batting position.

[interaction id=”5cad9a05c19f993d557a8a40″]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.