CPL 2023: "Really Happy To Be A Part Of The League"- Ambati Rayudu On His Debut Season At Caribbean Premier League

After retiring from international cricket and the IPL earlier this year, former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has joined St Kitts And Nevis Patriots for his debut season in the Caribbean Premier League. 

He is one of the top signings of the franchise this season. The right-hander has scored over 4000 runs in the IPL. In 61 international games for India, Rayudu scored close to 2000 runs. 

The right-hander spoke about his maiden season at the CPL and shared his excitement about being in the West Indies.

Ambati Rayudu Opens Up On Playing CPL

Ambati Rayudu is ready for the Caribbean party ?#CPL2023 #CPLonFanCode pic.twitter.com/1wEzuylsl3

— FanCode (@FanCode) August 19, 2023

“I am really excited to be a part of the league. I have heard a lot of great things about the league, especially the standard of cricket. I am really happy that I am a part of the Patriots,” Rayudu said.

He further spoke about the West Indian culture and their people. He said that the likes of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard are his close friends and they talk a lot about Caribbean cricket. 

“Really really nice people. They have been very warm and welcoming. I don’t really know a lot of history about CPL but I know that the Patriots have won the CPL once and Mr Bravo and Pollard talk a lot about CPL, that’s the only knowledge I have,” he further added. 

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He further spoke about being part of a totally different dressing room atmosphere without any Indian players. 

“First time I will be in a dressing room without any Indians, so its kind of strange, after all these years of playing cricket feels a little different and its a different experience to what you have back in India,” Rayudu added further. 

Rayudu recollected his first tour with India to the Caribbean looking back to his playing days. “My first tour of India was here actually I have a really special bond. We toured all around the e Caribbean and played some fantastic cricket. Coming to play in a different league is a wonderful experience and I am enjoying it,” the former Indian cricketer said.

Mahesh Ramani, Chairman of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots welcomed Rayudu to the franchise saying that his experience will be invaluable to the franchise. 

“As the Chairman of St Kitts & Nevis Patriots it has always been my endeavour to try & attract impact-making talent to our team in pursuit of our goal to be Champions. In that endeavour, it is my pleasure to let the Patriots fans know that we have signed Ambati Rayudu as one of our overseas players for the 2023 season. I am sure Ambati’s seasoned expertise of having won multiple championships with various teams in an illustrious career in India will undoubtedly enrich the experience of our young players as we chase our second CPL title in 2023.” 

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots squad for CPL 2023: Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher, Shrefane Rutherford, Dominic Drakes, Sheldon Cottrell, George Linde, Yannic Cariah, Oshane Thomas, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Jyd Goolie, Izharulhaq Naveed, Kofi James, Joshua da Silva, Ashmead Nedd, Johann Layne, Ambati Rayudu.

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