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Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu, a name synonymous with cricketing finesse and strategic acumen, has recently garnered attention for his astute analysis and keen insights into the game. His recent declaration of India’s all-time best batter, bowler, and captain has sparked intrigue and debate among cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Ambati Rayudu’s choice for India’s finest batting maestro
During a rapid-fire interview session with News 24, Rayudu was tasked with selecting India’s all-time best batter. It’s worth noting that India, a dominant force in cricket, has nurtured some of the sport’s most exceptional batters over the years. Ranging from the elegant strokeplay of yesteryears to the contemporary aggression, Indian cricket boasts a rich reservoir of batting talent. Rayudu unequivocally chose the modern-day stalwart, Virat Kohli, as his pick. Kohli’s remarkable statistics speak volumes, with 8848 runs in 113 Tests, 13948 runs in 292 ODIs, and 4037 runs in 117 T20Is.
Rayudu’s picks for India’s bowling legends
Later in the interview, Rayudu, who shares the record for the most successful player in IPL history with six titles, was prompted to select the best Indian bowler. Despite overlooking contemporary stars like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, Rayudu opted for his former Mumbai Indians (MI) teammate Zaheer Khan as India’s premier fast bowler of all time.
It’s worth noting that Zaheer, a legendary figure in Indian cricket, amassed an impressive record across formats, featuring in 92 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 17 T20Is, claiming 311, 282, and 17 wickets, respectively. As for the spinner, the former CSK star chose the legendary Anil Kumble. Notably, Kumble boasted an illustrious career, clinching 619 wickets in 132 Tests and 337 scalps in 271 ODIs for India.
Also READ: From Suresh Raina to Virat Kohli: Most runs scored by batters in IPL knockouts
Rayudu names the best captain
When queried about India’s top captain, Rayudu’s choice came as no shock as he selected the legendary MS Dhoni. Hailing from Ranchi, Dhoni guided India to victory in the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the T20 World Cup in 2007.
The veteran stumper holds the distinction of being the only captain worldwide to secure all three ICC white-ball trophies. Rayudu had the privilege of playing in the 2015 ODI World Cup under Dhoni’s captaincy, followed by clinching three IPL titles with CSK in 2018, 2021, and 2023, all under Dhoni’s astute leadership.
