Ambati Rayudu likely to play for Baroda next season

Indian and Chennai Super Kings middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu is likely to play for the domestic side Baroda in the upcoming domestic season. As per reports, the right-handed batter is already in talks with the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) and has strongly wished to represent the State for the upcoming domestic season.

The senior right-handed batter has already played for Baroda four seasons in his career. Rayudu was also named in the Indian national squad during that year. The 36-year-old is now expected to join the Baroda preparatory camp next month.

The team is already looking for Deepak Hooda’s replacement: BCA official

To note, the BCA was looking for a replacement for Deepak Hooda, after the batter decided to take a no-objection certificate from Baroda and moved to Rajasthan, following a tussle with Baroda skipper Krunal Pandya last year.

“Baroda has decided to rope him in as he has expressed his willingness to play for the team. The team is already looking for Deepak Hooda’s replacement,” a BCA official was quoted by The Indian Express.

Meanwhile, Rayudu had a moderate season for the defending champions Chennai Super Kings during the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The right-handed batter also represented CSK during their last group stage match of IPL 2022 but failed to make an impact with the bat as he scored just three and faced a total of six balls. However, the 36-year-old played an excellent knock of 78 runs during a group stage match against the Punjab Kings on April 25.

The senior batter has already played 188 IPL matches and has stroked a total of 4190 runs. Rayudu plays at an average of 28.9 and has also stroked 22 fifties and one hundred in the history of the toughest franchise-based league. The 36-year-old has represented India in 55 ODIs and six T20Is and has amassed 1694 and 42 runs respectively. Rayudu has stroked 10 fifties for India in the 50-over format.