Ambati Rayudu to make a comeback for Hyderabad

Ambati Rayudu after reversing his retirement from the IPL has made another sensational U-turn. The former Indian middle-order batsman has made himself available to play across all formats of the game for Hyderabad again. Rayudu had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in July after being snubbed by the selectors for the World Cup squad.

Rayudu wrote a letter to Hyderabad Cricket Association’s CoA, which read:

“I (Ambati Rayudu) would like to bring to your kind notice that I would like to come out of retirement and play cricket in all formats.”

His also thanked the likes of VVS Laxman to pursue him to come out of retirement. He stated that his decision to call it quits was taken in haste and an emotional state. He made himself available to play for Hyderabad again from September 10:

“I want to take this opportunity to thank CSK, VVS Laxman and Noel David who have been very supportive during the tough time and are instrumental in making me realise that I have enough cricket left in me and that the decision to retire was taken in an emotional state and haste. I am looking forward to a wonderful season ahead with a very talented Hyderabad team and help the team realise its full potential. I will be available from September 10 to join the Hyderabad team.”

The HCA CoA then released a statement, which confirmed that Rayudu was indeed coming out of retirement:

“This is to inform you that Ambati Rayudu has withdrawn his announcement of retirement and has made himself available for the shorter format of the game for HCA in 2019-20.”

Rayudu had shocked the world by announcing his retirement in the middle of the World Cup. He was repeatedly snubbed by the MSK Prasad-led selection panel, despite the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar being injured during the tournament. The likes of Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal were preferred over him as injury replacements, leading to him retiring from all formats of the game. But Rayudu recently announced that he would definitely play for Chennai Super Kings during the 2020 IPL season. With his return to domestic cricket as well, it seems that thinking with a calm mind was all Rayudu needed.