India vs Windies | Middle order will ready when the time comes, claims Ambati Rayudu

The Indian team has been in exceptional form for a couple of years now with the entire team performing at an extremely high level. However, if there is a cause for concern in the team, it is the middle order that as often failed to deliver in case the top order, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, have not been upto the challenge. Rayudu, however, believes that the middle order, which also includes him, will be ready and up to the task when the opportunity arrives. 

"Obviously it's great that top three are doing so well for India. It's a challenge for the middle order to always be ready to get in and bat. I am sure everybody is up for it, everybody knows the situation,” he said in the pre match press conference, reported PTI.

Recently, Kohli had stated that the Indian batting order for the World Cup was almost sorted and the current number four Ambati Rayudu just needs few more matches under his belt before he cements his place in the ODI team. Rayudu also sounded confident about the requirements from him for his role in the team as a number four.

"I don't think it is new for me as I have been batting in the middle order for long. There is nothing new that they have asked me to do.”

Ambati Rayudu was named in the ODI squad for the away series against England but before he could take the flight he failed the yo-yo test which has now become the gold standard for fitness assessment for the Indian team. However, he worked on his fitness and was able to get back in the team for the Asia Cup and also did reasonably well in that series.

"I have been working on my fitness right from my injury. I don’t think yo-yo test had any bearing on how I was preparing or how I was going about my fitness. Even now I am going to the NCA, there is a small pocket of free time for a week and I am happy that I cleared the test."

The West Indian bowlers were destroyed by the top two ranked batsman in ODI cricket in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both shared a 246 runs partnership en route a big win chasing a target of 322 which ultimately India chased down with more than seven overs remaining. Rayudu, though, believes that the Windies, who were blown away in the Test series, will be more competitive in the remaining games. 

"It's just one game (the first ODI in Guwahati), I think they bowled really well and it's just that Virat and Rohit batted brilliantly. They will pose a good challenge in the coming games."