Gautam Gambhir, 2019 World Cup
Gautam Gambhir. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Veteran batsman Ambati Rayudu has decided to bid farewell to cricket after the selectors snubbed him twice from the ICC World Cup 2019 squad. Soon after his retirement, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has slammed the selection panel headed by MSK Prasad and held them responsible for Rayudu’s retirement.

Gambhir blasts selectors after Rayudu’s retirement

Ambati Rayudu was India’s no four batsman leading to the World Cup and got the most opportunity. Skipper Virat Kohli also backed Rayudu to bat at four in the marquee tournament. But surprisingly all-rounder Vijay Shankar got a nod ahead of Rayudu for his ability to contribute to all the departments. Furthermore, the selectors snubbed Ambati Rayudu twice more after injuries of Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar. While they preferred Rishabh Pant in place of Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal flew to England to replace Shankar.

Ambati Rayudu
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Gautam Gambhir slammed the selectors, saying that the selectors are a complete failure in the World Cup. He also held them and their decision making responsible for Ambati Rayudu’s retirement.

“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,” Star Sports expert Gambhir said on Cricket Live.

Ambati Rayudu
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Furthermore, taking a step further, Gautam Gambhir said that five selectors combined had not scored the runs Ambati Rayudu has scored and expressed his grief about his premature retirement. The 33-year-old Rayudu has played for India in 55 ODIs scoring 1694 runs at an average of 47.05  with three centuries and ten fifties.

“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,” he concluded.

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