Former middle-order batsmen Ambati Rayudu showed his eagerness to make a return to white-ball cricket months after announcing retirement from international cricket. Rayudu made a confirmation statement that he would play in the Indian Premier League. Rayudu also told he was looking forward to being part of the IPL with Chennai Super Kings.
“I haven’t thought much but I would prepare well to come back to white-ball cricket as soon as possible. I love the game, obviously. See ambition and targets are one thing but it still is the game I love. It is about playing cricket,” – Rayudu said.
When asked if he was open for the selection to the national side he replied: “Of course, who will say no to India?”
“So, I thought why not take it forward? Nothing like a target or anything. But my first priority would be to get fully fit. I have not played cricket for a while now and it would take me maybe a month and a half to get fully fit,” – Rayudu added.
Earlier, Rayudu was put out of India’s 15-member squad for the World Cup 2019 and all-rounder Vijay Shankar was preferred over him. Chief selector MSK Prasad had stated that Shankar’s 3-dimensional qualities made them pick him over Rayudu. He was not happy with their explanation for Shankar’s pick.
Rayudu was in the standby list for the World Cup and even after Shikhar Dhawan and Shankar’s injuries the selectors and the team management didn’t pick Rayudu and went for Rishab Pant and Agarwal as the replacements.
Rayudu scored 1694 runs in 55 ODI’s with three centuries and 10 half-centuries at an average of 47.05. He scored 42runs in six T20’s he played but has never been selected for the Test Cricket.
