Ambati Rayudu picks 3 Best ODI batsmen of all time; shocking names appear

Former Team India cricketer Ambati Rayudu picked his all-time top three ODI batsmen during his appearance recently on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast. The cricketer-turned-commentator ignored players like Rohit Sharma, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid while choosing his all-time top three ODI batsmen.

Ambati Rayudu played for India between 2013 and 2023. He featured in 55 ODIs and six T20Is during his career. The batter had an impressive record in the one-day format, scoring 1,694 runs at an average of 47.05, including three centuries and 10 half-centuries. He was dropped from the ODI squad after 2019.

However, he was not successful in the shorter format, scoring just 42 runs at an average of 10.50. The 39-year-old retired from all forms of Indian cricket in 2023.

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Ambati Rayudu Picks All-Time Top Three T20 Batsmen

During the podcast, Ambati Rayudu was asked to share his favorite batters in limited-overs cricket. He named Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, and Suryakumar Yadav as his top three choices for T20s. Rayudu said that there are many players, but he picked these three as his preferred picks.

"First, I think Rohit Sharma, then it has to be AB de Villiers and Suryakumar (my favorite top 3 T20 batters). Chris Gayle is also there, but there are many players. These three are the ones I'm going with," Rayudu said.

Ambati Rayudu Picks All-Time Top Three ODI Batsmen

When asked about his favorite ODI batters, Rayudu picked three Indian legends, Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag. He noted that while many players could be considered, these three are his top choices.

"In ODIs, the top picks are Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag. Don't go on record. There are many players right now. If you have these three, then think about it," Rayudu added.

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs in ODI history. He scored 18,426 runs in 463 matches at an average of 44.83, including 49 centuries. The right-handed batter was also part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team.

Virat Kohli, meanwhile, is the all-time leader in ODI hundreds with 51. Kohli is the third-highest run-scorer overall, scoring 14,181 runs at an outstanding average of 57.88 and a strike rate of 93.34.

Ambati Rayudu Picked His All-Time IPL XI, Including Two RCB Legends

In the same video, Ambati Rayudu picked his all-time IPL XI, which included two Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) legends.

Rayudu chose Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma as the opening pair. Gayle, one of RCB’s best performers, scored 3,420 runs in 91 matches at an average of 43.29 and a strike rate of 154.40, including five centuries.

For the middle order, he picked Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Suresh Raina. He backed MS Dhoni and Kieron Pollard as finishers. Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah, Dwayne Bravo, and Sunil Narine were picked as bowlers in the playing XI.

Rayudu's IPL XI: Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine.

Also read: "Nobody is indispensable": Sunil Gavaskar’s shocking warning puts Jasprit Bumrah’s India spot in danger