Ambati Rayudu Steals the Show with Maiden ODI Hundred Against Sri Lanka in 2nd ODI

Ambati Rayudu scored his maiden ODI hundred as India took control of their chase of 275 vs Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Ahmedabad. (Scorecard | Blog)

Rayudu got past the triple figure mark off 101 balls and his knock was studded with 7 fours and 4 sixes.

The Hyderabad batsman was promoted to number three as Virat Kohli decided to hold himself back. Rayudu walked in with the score on 18/1 in the seventh over after Ajinkya Rahane fell to Dhammika Prasad. He took his time to settle down and soon unleashed a wide array of shots against the hapless Sri Lankan attack.

Before this match, Rayudu had scored 462 runs from 20 ODIs at an average of 38.50 with four fifties.

Batting with composure and determination, Rayudu stitched up a 122-run stand for the second wicket with Shikhar Dhawan, who smashed 79 off 80 balls. Rayudu played second fiddle right through the partnership but quickly took over after Dhawan perished to Seekuge Prasanna in the 27th over.

Rayudu took 58 balls to raise his half-century but moved into cruise mode soon after - he was harsh on the pacers as well as spinners and took complete control of the chase as skipper Kohli appeared to take the backseat and enjoy the show.

This is nice problem of plenty for the Indians with all their batsmen working their way to form ahead of the World Cup. Rohit Sharma, who was not picked for the first three ODIs to allow time to recuperate from twin injuries, also struck a hundred in a warm-up game against the Sri Lankans. Rayudu's hundred should give the selectors more options.