Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday made a bold prediction regarding the future of Team India’s middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu.
Ganguly said the Chennai Super Kings batsman would be part of Team India’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2019. Dada also backed Rayudu to score big in the marquee event.
“Rayudu played well. He fizzled out in the middle but has played well overall and I think he will go to the WC and he will play in India after this and he will score runs and go to the WC. This is a settled team and the 14-15 core of the team is settled and I hope all these players are fit come the World Cup and this team will be a strong team,” Sourav Ganguly told India TV.
Rayudu smashed 90 runs off 113 balls in the fifth One Day International (ODI) match against New Zealand to steady the India innings after a top-order collapse. Rayudu put up a 98-run stand with all-rounder Vijay Shankar for the 5th wicket after India was reduced to 18 for four by Kiwi bowlers.
Rayudu was the difference between India and New Zealand in the fifth ODI, as Men-in-Blue won the five-match series 4-1.
Sourav Ganguly also heaped praises on fast-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his performance in the fifth ODI. Ganguly hailed Pandya for showing “great mental strength” after his suspension from the side.
“He (Pandya) showed great mental strength. With time, everything cools off and his approach to the match was also quite better. He adds to the strength of the team,” Dada said.
“It’s been a better performance than Australia. It has been complete domination and it’s good to see them dominate at home and away as well. The confidence has been great and it’s quite impressive to see the bowlers get them out in 50 overs. It’s been a great year for India in ODIs,” Ganguly added.