Ambati Rayudu, Indian middle-order batsman has decided to retire from all forms of cricket after being ignored for the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2019.
The 33-year-old batsman, Rayudu was in the official standbys list for the big event in England & Wales but was ignored despite the injury to first Shikhar Dhawan and then to all-rounder Vijay Shankar.
Rayudu was not included in India’s original 15-member squad for the World Cup 2019 and all-rounder Vijay Shankar was preferred over him.
Rayudu is yet to make a formal announcement but a Board official told PTI that he has communicated his decision to the BCCI.
He had made his ODI debut back in 2013 against Zimbabwe and so far he has played 55 ODIs for India and scored 1694 runs at an average of 47.05. His career includes three centuries and 10 fifties as well.
Chief selector MSK Prasad had stated that Shankar’s 3-dimensional qualities made them pick him over Rayudu
Rayudu criticised the selectors for not picking him in India’s World Cup squad and then, he was not called up even following injuries to Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar, with Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal selected instead of him.
Rishabh Pant was brought into the side when Dhawan was ruled out while Mayank Agrawal replaced Vijay Shankar.
Not receiving an invitation from BCCI after the injuries and even being part of the stand-by list could be the reason that Rayudu is taking retirement, though nothing is confirmed yet.
Gambhir takes on the selectors:
Gautam Gambhir took Rayudu’s side by saying the retirement is because of poor decision making by the selectors
“According to me, the selectors have been a complete disappointment this World Cup. Rayudu’s retirement decision is because of them and their decision-making skills are to be blamed for this,” Gambhir said on a segment of Cricket Live Star sports.
“Five selectors combined would not have made the runs Rayudu has in his career. I feel extremely sad about this retirement. Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal got selected amidst the World Cup injuries, and anyone in Rayudu’s place would have felt equally bad,” said Gambhir.
Iceland’s toll on the situation:
Iceland Cricket has offered Rayudu permanent residency in their country so that he can play for them after being rejected time and again by Team India.
“Agarwal has three professional wickets at 72.33 so at least Rayudu can put away his 3D glasses now. He will only need normal glasses to read the document we have prepared for him. Come join us Ambati. We love the Rayudu things.” tweeted by Iceland cricket.
This is what Twitterati has to say:
