Ambati Rayudu Skips Ranji Trophy Due To Politics In Team

The last few months have been nothing less than dramatic for Ambati Rayudu. The right-handed batsman had caused a stir with his ‘3-d’ tweet for the selectors after being snubbed for the World Cup before announcing his retirement from all forms of the game. He had taken the decision after being snubbed thrice for the World Cup.

But just few weeks later, he decided to come out of retirement and made himself available to play for Hyderabad. But in yet another sensational development, Ambati Rayudu has decided not to represent Hyderabad in the upcoming season of Ranji Trophy. The right-handed batsman has taken the decision due to “a lot of politics” in the team.

Also Read: Shubman Gill Released From Test Squad For Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

‘Felt very uncomfortable’:

Ambati Rayudu has launched a stinging attack at Hyderabad team, saying that the politics going on inside the team made it uncomfortable for him to play. Not only that, he also tweeted to Telangana’s Municipal Administration and Urban Development minister KT Rama Rao, asking him to look into the “rampant corruption prevailing at HCA.”

“In all honesty, I was looking forward to play for Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy this season. But unfortunately, the script did not go on the expected lines. There is a lot of politics in the team and the atmosphere was not conducive for good cricket. I felt very uncomfortable,” he told Telangana Today.

Hello sir @KTRTRS, I request u to plz look into nd address the rampant corruption prevailing in hca. Hw can hyderabad be great when it's cricket team is influenced by money nd corrupt ppl who hav numerous acb cases against them which are being swept under the carpet.

— Ambati Rayudu (@RayuduAmbati) November 23, 2019

Rayudu said that he had informed Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president Mohammad Azharuddin about the issues. The former India skipper had taken over as the association’s president in September this year. Rayudu also alleged that undeserving players are getting selected because of having influential background.

“I did have a talk with the president. He always said he was trying his best. But it never happened,” Rayudu said. “I feel he should have initiated stronger measures but he did not do that. I feel there were more election promises and as a result, the game suffered.

“It hurt me a lot. A few players, who did not deserve to be in the team, were included in the team because of the election promises. If this happens, how can a team improve? My hands were tight (sic) for the playing eleven when it came to few players and they were untouchable during the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament.

“If you look at the team, some of the players are selected because of the influence of some club secretaries. Sometimes, merit takes a back seat. This is unfortunate. Rich, influential and politicians’ children get preferences in Hyderabad teams. This is a true fact. We have to stop this buck. Since someone had to speak out, I thought I should do this. This is how bad the system has become in HCA,” he added.

Rayudu, meanwhile, led Hyderabad in this season’s Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In his absence, left-hand batsman BP Sandeep, who was Hyderabad’s highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, will take over as captain.