IPL: 5 talents unearthed by Mumbai Indians

Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu won Mumbai many a match from tough situations

Ambati Rayudu was not a new name in the Indian cricketing circles when he shone at the IPL for Mumbai Indians. After successfully starting off his career in junior cricket, Rayudu led India at the 2004 U-19 World Cup.

A drop in form led to him switching Ranji teams; in a bid to play against world class opponents and in front of packed crowds led him to join the rebel Indian Cricket League in 2007. After being granted amnesty by the BCCI in 2009 he made a comeback to the domestic circuit and won an IPL contract with Mumbai.

He came good in 2010 when he scored 355 runs at a strike rate of 144.71 and helped Mumbai reach the finals. He followed it up with a 395 runs season in 2011 and 333 runs in 2012. He proved to be a vital cog in their middle order and won them a few matches single-handedly.

His stellar IPL run was awarded by his selection to the national squad in 2013. In the 34 ODIs that he represented India in the period 2013-2016, he scored 1055 runs at an average of 50.23. In fact, his modest scoring rate of 76.28 can be cited as the only reason for his exclusion by the national selectors.