Playing his first competitive match in nearly seven months, Rayudu scored a stroke-filled 100 in 97 balls with 11 fours and one six. But, Rayudu's efforts along with Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh finding form going into the ODI series were sidelined by Dhoni's entertaining knock of 68 not out at No. 5.
One man took away all the attention in the first warm-up game against England. If not for MS Dhoni leading India 'A', all the highlights would have got prominence. One can, thus, only pity Ambati Rayudu.
Playing his first competitive match in nearly seven months, Rayudu scored a stroke-filled 100 in 97 balls with 11 fours and one six. But, Rayudu's efforts along with Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh finding form going into the ODI series were sidelined by Dhoni's entertaining knock of 68 not out at No. 5.
Dhawan and Yuvraj got a taste of what to expect in the upcoming ODIs and T20Is. The series could also be a perfect platform for the left-handed opener Dhawan to ease back into runs that was eluding him in the Tests late last year before being forced out of the squad due to a thumb injury.
Going by what Dhawan displayed on Tuesday, using his feet well to the spinners while also unafraid to sweep the leg-spinner Adil Rashid, it is not good news for the English bowlers.
Rayudu caught up with Dhawan and played some crisp shots against spinners and medium-pacers alike. During their 111-run partnership in 126 deliveries for the second wicket, Dhawan and Rayudu milked the England attack with ease. Even the bowling changes from spin to medium-pace did not bear fruit for England captain Eoin Morgan as Rayudu found the open spaces.
Dhawan, back in the Indian team for the ODIs, warmed up with some drives while Rayudu cut Jake Ball deliciously for four. Two established players, one at the international level and the other at the domestic level, were gaining ground but all that was pushed to the background due to the occasion.
Dhawan edged medium-pacer Jake Ball for 63 (84b, 8x4, 1x6), having done his bit of finding touch and also entertaining the crowd.
Yuvraj, back in the ODI scheme of things after a three-year hiatus, overcame his initial struggle. Just as one began to suspect that his reflexes were slowing down with age, he creamed Rashid straight for four before picking him for two sixes in an over, one straight behind the bowler and the next to long-off.
He showed glimpses of his golden touch and the ease with which he treated the slow bowlers extended to the medium-pacers too as was evident from his trademark pull to mid-wicket fence off Woakes.
All along, Rayudu middled the ball well. It may look strange that Rayudu was given the nod for this India 'A' team without a single Ranji game under his belt this season but he did not show any signs of discomfort. He raced to the 90s at a run a ball and after reaching 100, retired out as Dhoni walked in with nine overs remaining to take India's total to 304/5.
England made a solid reply with explosive openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales sharing 95 in 14.3 overs. Ashish Nehra, included for the T20Is, looked totally out of touch. That he was playing for the first time since May 2016 showed.
Right from the first ball that was driven back past him by Roy followed by a cover drive in the opening over, Nehra (0/50 in 6 overs) was easy pickings. His first spell of 4-0-33-0 let England off the hook. On the other hand, his opening partner Hardik Pandya was brilliant with an opening spell of 5-1-16-0, keeping a tight length.
However, the introduction into the attack of wrist spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and impressive chinaman Kuldeep Yadav (5/60) put the brakes on England run-chase in the middle overs. Yadav struck in his first two overs to see the backs of the openers Roy (62, 57b, 9x4, 2x6) and Hales (40, 37b, 6x4, 1x6).
Chahal, who has been included in the three T20Is against England, dismissed captain Morgan, courtesy a brilliant diving catch to his left at first slip by Dhawan to hold on to the reverse sweep one-handed.
Sam Billings played freely against the other bowlers to take England to the doorstep of victory with 93 (85b, 8x4) and built vital partnerships with Jos Buttler (46) and Liam Dawson (41).
That England secured a three-wicket win in the penultimate over will only boost their confidence going into the ODIs. For India 'A', it was a meaningful practice for the players who will be in action coming off a break.
Brief scores: India A 304/5 in 50 overs (S Dhawan 63, A Rayudu 100, Yuvraj Singh 56, MS Dhoni 68*; D Willey 2/55, J Ball 2/61) lost to England 307/7 in 48.5 overs (J Roy 62, A Hales 40, S Billings 93, J Buttler 46, L Dawson 41; K Yadav 5/60)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Ambati Rayudu")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}