Ambati Rayudu gets Virat Kohli's backing 'till 2019 World Cup'

India recorded one of their biggest wins in the 50-over cricket with a 224-demolition of the visitors, following blazing hundreds by Rayudu and Rohit Sharma

Before getting into the ODI series against West Indies, skipper Virat Kohli projected Ambati Rayudu as the solution to team’s middle-order conundrum. His trust got solidified after the latter smacked a blistering century in Mumbai that carved India’s way to their third-highest ODI victory.

After the match, Kohli once again reiterated his support on Rayudu and assured team backing till the World Cup next year. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Kohli said, “Rayudu has taken his chance with both hands. We need to back him till the 2019 WC (World Cup).”

“He reads the game well, so we are happy that someone intelligent is batting at number four,” the 29-year-old expressed.

Meanwhile, Kohli also lauded the effort of rookie left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed, who picked three Caribbean wickets in exchange for only 13 runs from his five overs.

“Khaleel was good with pitching it in the right areas, making the ball talk, and swinging it both ways," Kohli pointed out.

Commenting on India's all-round show, leading the hosts to their biggest ever win over the Windies, the elated skipper said, “Yes, ticked all the boxes. A clinical game in all departments. Got into the rhythm.”

“We are known to bounce back and it was another example,” he added.

On the other hand, Man-of-the-Match Rohit Sharma, who played a scintillating 162-run knock beside being involved in a crucial 211-run partnership with Rayudu for the third wicket, termed the association to be a game changer.

“I had mentioned this earlier about having a big partnership and that was a game-changing partnership. All the four games that we have played, we have had some big partnerships which has allowed us to stay in the game,” the opener opined.

With this win, the hosts have now taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match rubber, with the second match at Visakhapatnam being tied. The men-in-blue will face the tourists for one final time in the series on November 1 in Thiruvananthapuram.