Ambati Rayudu may have been used as a floater on a regular basis in India’s ODI team, but the Hyderabad batsman on Monday said he is happy with the way his career has gone so far.
Rayudu struck an unbeaten 41 to guide India to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the second match of the three-match ODI series at Harare on Monday.
“I am really happy with the way my one-day career has gone. Given the guys that we have in the team, somebody has to do the role that I am doing. It’s just important to stay focused and take my opportunities when they come,” Rayudu said at the post-match press conference.
“For me, generally, it’s just about getting my batting in shape. Visualization is the key I think. I try to keep myself motivated and focused. I prepare myself before a game as though I am going to play it. It doesn’t really matter what series it is, preparation is the same. I just prepared the way I would for any series. I don’t set myself any goals.”
Also during the course of his unbeaten 62 against Zimbabwe in the first match on Saturday, Rayudu crossed the 1000-run mark in ODIs. He needed just 29 innings to get to the milestone and also became the joint third-fastest among the Indian players to reach the mark.
“I am happy with the way I am batting. Unfortunately, everybody couldn’t get a chance. You know the conditions well, but still it’s different every time. I haven’t really looked into the past. I have worked on my game and I am happy with that.”
