For Ambati Rayudu, it is better 10 years late than never

In the first half of September 2000, only days away from turning 16, a shy Ambati Rayudu was at the crossroads. Highly talented batsman even then, Rayudu was sitting in a chair next to his father at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium listening to then National Cricket Academy chairman, Late Raj Singh Dungarpur, and former international Roger Binny.

Dungarpur and Binny, the current national selector from south zone, were trying to convince Rayudu Sr to send his son to Australia to train for a few weeks (January to April 2001) and that such an opportunity would not arise again for such a talented youngster. The father was apprehensive because of his son's ensuing Class 10 exams. But he agreed.

Rayudu went on to lead India in the ICC U-19 World Cup in Dhaka in 2004, where his team lost to Pakistan in the semifinals. That tournament discovered among others Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, RP Singh. Though Rayudu had a quiet tournament, his potential was immense.

That he evolved as a batsman over the years playing for Hyderabad and later for Baroda is only testimony for his immense potential. It may be another matter that some of his U-19 teammates may have got the India nod ahead of him but it's also his luck that he could not break into the already-packed middle-order.

For someone who opened for India U-19 and to be shuffled in the batting order in the limited opportunities that he got for India, Rayudu has not done bad. Any top-order batsman will settle for an average that Rayudu has – 48.58 after Thursday's brilliant maiden ODI 100 in his 21st match and 18th innings.

People may say that the 29-year-old had to wait for 10 years since his U-19 days to score that all-important international century. He is also one who will not let opportunity slip from his hands. His stroke-filled unbeaten 121, a well-measured one at that, came only in his second outing at No.3 – he made 32 against the West Indies in New Delhi in that position only last month.

Rayudu loves batting higher up the order, no doubt. He has also thrown open a lot of options for the Indian think-tank in this position. Already, Virat Kohli has made No. 3 his in ODIs.

Robin Singh, former India all-rounder and U-19 coach in 2004, is one of those who has seen Rayudu evolve as a batsman over the years. He has also watched him closely in his capacity as support staff for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Singh told dna on Friday: "During his U-19 days, everyone knew he had a lot of potential. He has got his opportunity only now. He always had the talent. It was a question of being able to do it on the big stage.

"Getting 50s is fine but 100 makes a huge difference to one's confidence. He has grabbed the opportunity this time. Everyone knows he can play shots but it is the question of giving yourself that opportunity to score a hundred, which is what he did brilliantly on Thursday."

It was a sight to remember when skipper Virat Kohli seemed to tell Rayudu not to let go of the opportunity when the latter was on 99. Rayudu assured the 2008 U-19 World Cup winning captain and much more accomplished batsman that he will not do anything regretful. That he tucked one on the leg side for a single to reach that magic mark and the hug from his captain showed what this knock meant for Rayudu and Team India.
Often quiet, Rayudu lets his bat do the talking. He has always striven to do his best in the middle. Singh said Rayudu can only get better from here.

"When you are playing and getting an opportunity, it doesn't matter at what age you play but you need to do well to retain your place. When you bat lower down in one-dayers, it is more difficult to get a hundred in India. It is important for him to carry on from here. He has a lot of cricket left in him. He is as good as anyone around.

"He has probably got what he needed to get out of the way – the maiden hundred. As a batsman, you play at your best after 25. From 25 to 35 years, if you keep yourself fit, you have a lot of cricket in you. Today with so many formats of the game, it is important to be on top of your game all the time."

The former India all-rounder gave the example of Suresh Raina, Rayudu's mate from U-19 days. "Suresh Raina got better and better over the years only by playing a lot for India. You need to be a regular playing member.

Once that confidence is given to you, you naturally step up your game. You know, if you don't step up, you will lose your place. You are competing with the big boys. You can't be an average cricketer. Rayudu has done well so far. This is the stepping stone to do much better."