Ambati Rayudu will play for Hyderabad this season. This will be his first appearance for the home team after 2006-07 season. It is his second home coming, first being in 2006-07. Along with him, left arm spinner, Pragyan Ojha is also interested in playing for Hyderabad and he too will not be playing for Andhra Pradesh this year.
A Vidarbha Cricket Association official expressed his disappointment over this move of Rayudu and told TOI, “If somebody has made up his mind what can we do? It’s his decision, we only wish him good luck for the future. Last year, our team played without him and Wasim Jaffer and did quite decently. The sole aim to bring a player like him was to win Ranji Trophy but he had fitness problems. Anyway we have some exciting youngsters, who can fill the void. Vidarbha are a respected side at the domestic level and youngsters have shown they can take up the responsibility and challenge.”
According to T Shesh Narayan, secretary of Hyderabad Cricket Association, “Rayudu has got his NoC and is now eligible to play for Hyderabad. We are happy that he has chosen to play for Hyderabad again. He will be seen in action in the local leagues from this week and in fact will be leading India Cements.”
According to the sources, Ambati Rayudu wants to play 2019 world cup and hence is forgetting on shorter formats of the game. Rayudu earlier left Hyderabad and played for Andhra in 2005-06 season. However, he returned in the following season. Many former players are unhappy with this comeback. “He deserted the ship when Hyderabad needed him the most. Instead of staying and helping Hyderabad get back to the Elite group, he went away seeking greener pastures. What about the players who have toiled hard to get Hyderabad back to the Elite group? Will one of them be sacrificed to accommodate Rayudu? This is highly unfair,” said a former international player.