da brwin： When you first meet Ambati Rayudu, you can scarcelybelieve that he’s the person who got so many ravereviews in his first full season of domestic cricket
Roving Reporter by Dileep Premachandran22-Jun-2003When you first meet Ambati Rayudu, you can scarcelybelieve that he’s the person who got so many ravereviews in his first full season of domestic cricket.The last thing you expect, even for someone who willonly turn 18 this September, is a slip of a kid. Andthere’s an unease about him which suggests that mediamanagement classes haven’t yet begun – just as wellbecause his answers resonate with an earnestness thatis light years removed from the manufactured b£"&you’re usually served up on these occasions.Rayudu is used to the NCA ambience, having spent threesessions there over the past three years. He speaksquietly and earnestly about how it has benefited him,about the confidence that he has gained as a result."The coaches let you play your natural game," he says,"and even when they correct you, it’s more anobservation. You’re taught to study your own game, andanalyse its strengths and weaknesses."He is the youngest member of the A team heading forEngland, yet you’d more likely find blood oozing outof stone than you would any trace of nervousness inhis demeanour. "It’s a pretty long tour," he says,"about 45 days." He has good memories of time spent inEngland last year, especially the remarkable 177 hescored to win a game for the U-19s against theirEnglish counterparts. "It’s probably the best countryto play cricket in," he says, with no preamble orexplanation.And what of his team-mates? Does the fact that he’sthe babe of the team worry him at all? "Oh no, Ihaven’t even thought of that," he tells you. There’s abarely-suppressed confidence about him that bringsback memories of Sachin Tendulkar at a similar age,also a hint that he would rather be anywhere but here,answering questions.Rayudu was guided into cricket by his father, who madesure his son went for coaching classes almost as soonas he could grip a bat properly. He realised that hehad a real aptitude for the game when he was around 12or 13, though he insists he has never put pressure onhimself to achieve targets. What about a place in theIndian senior side someday soon? "I don’t think ofthose things," he tells you solemnly. "I just want tobat as well as I can. I’m not going to worry about therest."Having witnessed his composure and shot selection inthe nets earlier, you have to admit that it’s a wisepolicy. And a voice in your ear tells you he won’thave to wait, or worry, inordinately long for thatsenior call-up.