No one, at the beginning of the day, would have thought he would win the man-of-the-match award.
But Ambati Rayudu did it in style.
His workman-like unbeaten 29-ball 55 helped Mumbai Indians recover from an early collapse and post a formidable 178 for five against holders Deccan Chargers in their Indian Premier League match at the Brabourne Stadium on Saturday.
In the end, the total turned to be good enough to ensure a seventh win in eight matches for the team from Mumbai.
Rayudu, who joined Saurabh Tiwary (44) when the hosts were in trouble at 62 for three after nine overs, cracked two sixes and six fours during his innings, and added 65 runs for the fourth-wicket partnership with the latter.
The duo not only did the consolidation job but also started the acceleration which gave their team's innings the required fillip.
The right-hander then, along with Kieron Pollard (21), added 51 runs in less than five overs for the sixth-wicket.
Rayudu's knock was inclusive of six hits to the fence and two over it.
And he was equally effective behind the stumps.
