Resurgent Rayudu banishes the demons

Sachin Tendulkar says the first time he heard about Hyderabad-born cricketer Ambati Rayudu was in 2002 when VVS Laxman spoke about him as a talented 19-year-old who was beginning to show great promise in the land of the wristy nawabs. "I had heard a lot about him and knew that he was very talented," says Tendulkar.

It took eight years, but Tendulkar finally has Ambati's talent to make use of in the best interests of Mumbai. For Ambati, the journey from Hyderabad to Mumbai via some nightmarish experiences in the city he was born, via Indian Cricket League and via a long spell of injuries, is finally bearing fruit. He's glad he is now under the tutelage of someone who can revive his career which despite being promising, never quite took off.

"It has been an amazing experience being here and getting to play with Sachin," the shy Ambati keeps repeating, knowing how much this opportunity could mean to him in the longer run.

From team's mentor Shaun Pollock to coach Robin Singh, his Mumbai Indians teammates, and even the opposition, they've all been raving about Rayudu's talent that's been evident in the IPL. In fact, after the victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Tendulkar gave away his Man of the Match award to Rayudu for the youngster's half century, which went on to show what he thinks of the player.

"He's been doing very well for us and there's no doubt he's very talented. Hopefully he keeps continuing like this," says Pollock.

Rayudu has a compact technique and an array of strokes that make him a very good batsman and is a part-time wicket-keeper too. However, off-the-field controversies while playing for Hyderabad, differences with the coach, lack of consistency thereafter and eventually the ICL shift made him almost disappear from the circuit.

However, thanks to IPL, the focus is back on his cricket and there's certainly a lot he has to offer.

Most of Ambati's teammates from the past or even his juniors - Robin Uthappa, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, Parthiv Patel - all went on to play for India at some point of time. Ambati though, as talented as some, more talented then many, remained unfortunate.

After starting his Ranji Trophy career with a double hundred and a hundred in the same match, a cracking 177 in his first India Under-19 game against England Colts, and having been appointed as India Under-19 captain in 2002, it has taken him close to eight years to turn the spotlight on himself again.

"I hope to make the most of this opportunity. I am enjoying my cricket right now and just want to keep performing ," he says.

His talents will be well utilized if Ambati goes on to play for India some day and he's certainly got it in him to be there. Maybe, sticking around with Tendulkar who "inspires" him, performing regularly and making the selectors sit and take note of him again is what he needs right now.

After a great deal of time lost, Ambati's back on the track again.