Won't be surprised if Ambati Rayudu plays for India sooner than later: Brad Hogg

In the first match that kicked off this year’s IPL journey, Ambati Rayudu from CSK displayed a brilliant form in getting his team over the line. His stunning knock of 71 off 48 balls became too dominant on the bowling attack of Mumbai Indians. In the same light, former Rajasthan Royals spinner Brad Hogg believes that Rayudu can make a comeback for the national side if he continues his stellar form.

Rayudu was in a rift with the senior team management just before the commencement of 2019 World Cup, and he received a cold shoulder in return. However, he has shown with his bat what the team missed in 2019 WC.

The Yellow army was struggling hard at 6/2 in the season opener when Rayudu and Du Plessis pitched in to take CSK’s game on another level. Hogg has predicted that Rayudu will possibly show the same class against Rajasthan Royals in the team’s next match.

“CSK have got plenty of depth. Ambati Rayudu stood up, and I think he can do a job again at No.4. I won’t be surprised if he is playing for India sooner rather than later. I think he is going to have another big series. He looks on top, watch him to make another 50 and he will make another 50 and become the man of the match,” stated Hogg on his Youtube channel.

The big blow for RR would be Jos Buttler: Brad Hogg

Hogg also believes that the Rajasthan franchise will miss the services of their star batsman, Jos Buttler, in the opening game. Though the English player has already arrived in Dubai with his family, he is under the required quarantine period. He wasn’t part of the bio-secure bubble in the UK and hence, would go a longer period in isolation.

 “The big blow for Rajasthan Royals would be Jos Buttler as he won’t be playing against CSK because he is still in quarantine. He came a little later than the other Australian and England players in the UAE for this IPL. The reason why it is a big blow because he is the Royals’ best player against spin. He is the only one who has got a strike-rate of above 120. So that is a big void to fill,” Hogg concluded.