IPL 2017: Ambati Rayudu makes a mark before playoffs
Ambati Rayudu had played only one match for Mumbai Indians in 2017 Indian Premier League before the game against Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday.
Ambati Rayudu completed his half-century in 52 balls with five fours and two sixes. He too was another player who made the most of the opportunity provided by Mumbai Indians who decided to rest six of their regulars against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens here on Saturday.
Rayudu helped rebuild the innings after skipper Rohit Sharma fell. He was beaten off the first ball he faced from Ankit Rajpoot but gradually grew in confidence.
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True, it looked like Sunil Narine could have had him early had Robin Uthappa managed to hold what looked like a nick but got into the groove by hitting the West Indian for a boundary off the next ball.
Rayudu was untroubled by the spinners and when Umesh Yadav came on in the 16th over, he hit a six off the front foot. The beautiful hitting continued when Kuldeep Yadab came on to bowl the 19th over.
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He hit two sixes off the chinaman but was foxed by a googly and stumped. Picking Yadav’s wrong ‘un has been a problem for many in this IPL including MS Dhoni.