HARBHAJAN SINGH SAYS AMBATI RAYUDU HAS CAPABILITY TO JOIN THE INDIAN TEST SQUAD

The veteran Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh believes that his Mumbai Indian team-mate and top-order batsman, Ambati Rayudu could land a spot in the Indian Test squad if he continued to perform consistently like Rahul Dravid and Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman.

While talking to media Harbhajan said, "He has special talent. He got lost in domestic cricket in between and we didn't hear much about him, but he's been playing really well for Mumbai Indians. Last season he was one of the main players who got us into the final, and I can see him playing for India."

Rayudu, who joined the Mumbai Indians in 2010 after cancelling his contract with the Indian Cricket League, has been instrumental for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

According to Harbhajan, "He's got the capability to fill the shoes of Rahul Dravid or VVS Laxman. That's what I think, in coming years you'll see him going a long way."

"It [the match] is an opportunity for youngsters like Rayudu and Rohit Sharma to face one of the world's best bowlers ever. Hopefully I'll get some time to talk to him about my bowling and about me going forward in international cricket," Harbhajan Said.

Speaking about Mumbai’s fielding, which has received a lot of praise during IPL, Harbhajan said, "Jonty Rhodes always pushes us to work really hard on our fielding. We all know that fielding is an area in which we can always improve. If you ask me, we won against Chennai because we fielded brilliantly and not because I took five wickets."

Harbhajan, who played an important role for India in the recently concluded World Cup 2011, explained that Indian pitches are slow and in Twenty20 format of game, the spinners have to work hard to prevent runs.

"We [Mumbai] are doing well as a bowling unit. Even someone like Kieron Pollard, who is not purely a bowler, is capable of getting us three or four wickets on a good day. On a good day, anyone can win a game for us, that is what matters."

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MUMBAI INDIANS GREET RAY PRICE AS TARE, DAVY AND AMBATI COMPETE FOR KEEPING POSITION

Mumbai Indians have greeted the services of Zimbabwe Spinner Ray Price, who will be joining them before their match against the Deccan Chargers on Sunday, 24 April, 2011.

The left-arm spinner has replaced the Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques, who continues to recover from surgery for an adductor muscle injury.

Ray will remain with the top franchise on the points table until the end of IPL ongoing edition.

Ray price is at the second position on ICC’s One Day Internationals (ODI) bowling rankings right now. Pricewas the best bowler amongst the Zimbabwe bowlers with an average of 18.77 and economy rate of 3.44.

Price shared that at the start of his International career, his aim was to finish at top of the rankings, however, being ranked number two in the world is exceptional and he will be eyeing the number one position.

In the mean time, Rohit Sharma is resolute in using the IPL to re-emerge in the international cricket.

The endowed right handed Indian batsman, who missed out on a World Cup berth earlier in the year, splintered a blistering 87 against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday as the hosts powered past the defending champions at the Wankhede Stadium and is looking forward to extend his affluent run of form against the Deccan Chargers.

"I know I missed out on the World Cup, but it's okay because such things happen. I just need to keep my focus. I must not lose heart and whenever I get the opportunity, just do my best," said Sharma, who last played for India in January.

He added that he has been batting well. There has been pressure and he has done well. He is happy to score some runs.

Aditya Tare meanwhile, has not played any IPL match yet since Mumbai keep switching between Davy Jacobsand Ambati Rayudu as their starting wicket-keeper batsman.

Tare is hopeful about a good performance if he gets a chance to play against the chargers on Sunday.

Whilst South African star Jacobs kept the wicket in Mumbai’s first three matches this season, Indian rookie Rayudu has done so in the fourth and fifth games.

"It's always a challenge. There is healthy competition between me, Davy and Ambati. I am doing my very best in the training sessions. So, let us see how it goes," said Tare.

"Batting comes naturally to me. I love to play attacking shots. Hopefully, I can spend more time in the middle, plan my innings well and try and get runs for my side on a consistent basis."

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DECCAN CHARGERS V MUMBAI INDIANS - BATSMAN TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE DECCAN SIDE

As we all know that the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) fourth edition is on its peak and being enjoyed all over the World, the 27^th IPL contest between Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians is going to be on Sunday, 24th of April in Hyderabad.

For this Sunday’s show, Bettor.com presents the comparison of the best batsmen, who are likely to perform well.

The Deccan Chargers have a couple of great batsmen in their playing XI, the experienced, Kumar Sangakkara, talented Jean-Paul Duminy and iconic Cameron White.

The Deccan Chargers have lost three matches out of the five they have played so far.

On the other side, Mumbai Indians team seems to be going strong so far, having the experience of players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu in their squad. 

The Mumbai Indians have won three games out of four so far, the one match they lost was against the Kochi Tuskers Kerala at Mumbai on 15th of April.

Batsmen from the Deccan Chargers

1)       Kumar Sangakkara

A shining Sri Lankan star with exemplary leadership qualities, Kumar Sangakkara loves to play elegantly. A top-order left handed batsman and an athletic wicket-keeper, Sangakkara has proved his worth for his national side in the last couple of years, leading them to the Final of the recently concluded World Cup.

His batting prowess has been on exhibition throughout the World Cup 2011. He has the ability and temperament to stay on the crease for a long time.

His sharp wicket-keeping, athletic dives and quick reflexes are examples for all emerging wicket-keepers.

Leading his national side to the 2009 T20 World Cup Final as well as the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Final have been great achievements in his career.

Sangakkara earlier represented the Kings XI Punjab in Indian Premier League’s previous three editions. This time around he is leading the Deccan Chargers.

In the first edition of IPL, he was the 15^th highest scoring batsman, scoring 320 runs in 10 matches.

In the 2009 season, he was the 14^th highest scorer with 332 runs, including 2 fifties.

In the 2010 edition of IPL, he scored 357 runs in 13 games including a high score of 56.

Sangakkara has played 42 IPL matches, has scored 1145 runs at an average of 30.94 including highest runs of 94 and 8 half centuries. He is the 7^th highest scorer of the IPL.

In the wicket-keeping department, he is at number 3 from 2008 to 2011 with 30 dismissals including 7 stumpings and 23 catches.

2)      Jean-Paul Duminy

A strong middle-order all-rounder from the South African cricket team, Jean-Paul Duminy made his way to the International realm by performing well throughout in his domestic career.

The left-handed player has an uncanny ability to score quickly, hammering any bowling attack in his way.

The 26-year-old player has also proved himself as a useful part time off-spinner with many variations in his bowling.

Duminy’s talents suit well to the Twenty20 format of the game and his inclusion in any side will be welcome.

Duminy made his IPL debut in 2009 from the Mumbai Indians’ side. He was the 6^th higher scorer, scoring 372 runs in 13 matches with 5 fifties.

However in the 2010 season of the IPL 3, he only scored 157 runs in 7 games, setting his average at 31.40.    

Duminy has featured in 22 IPL matches from 2009-2011. He has scored a total of 549 runs at an average of 34.31 including a high score of 62.

This time around, Duminy is playing for the Deccan Chargers.

He made his T20 International debut in 2007 against Bangladesh at Cape Town, since then Duminy has played 30 T20 International matches, scoring 648 runs in total with an average of 30.85 and a high score of 96 runs.

3)      Cameron White

The right handed middle-order batsman, Cameron White is from the Australian cricket team.

White, who is also the captain of Australia’s Twenty20 side, made his Twenty20 International debut against England at Sydney in 2007. 

Since then, White has featured in 25 T20 matches for Australia and has scored 519 runs setting his average at 32.43.

In the ongoing Indian Premier League, the Deccan Chargers bought White for $1.1 million, White was the 2^ndhighest paid Aussie after David Hussey.

White is the Vice Captain of the Chargers while Sangakkara leads as the skipper, having played just one match for the Deccan Chargers so far, White scored 31 runs.

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