India’s veteran batter, Ambati Rayudu has decided to play for Baroda in the upcoming domestic season. It is pertinent to note that he last made an appearance in first-class cricket in November 2017. It has now been understood that he will be available in all formats from the coming season.
As per the recent development, the Chennai batter has been granted a No objection certificate from the Andhra Pradesh Association from moving its base to Baroda. For those you who don’t know, the 36-year-old has previously played for the Baroda team. Besides, he has also plied his trade for Hyderabad and Vidharbha in domestic cricket.
As far as I know, they get along as well as they did earlier - Ambati Rayudu
Rayudu last made an appearance for Chennai in the Indian T20 League 2022. Turning up for the franchise, he made 274 runs in 13 matches. Midway during the season, he also announced it will be his last season in the cash-rich league. However, later, he deleted that Tweet.
Taking about Rayudu’s domestic cricket record, Rayudu has played 97 first-class matches, from which he has scored 6,151 runs with 210 as his highest score. He has also played 55 ODIs and six T20 Internationals for India.
The Baroda Cricket Association is also trying to rope in Deepak Hooda for the domestic season once again. The latter had parted ways with the team after an ugly fall-out with Krunal Pandya.
"As far as I know, they get along as well as they did earlier. They have cleared their differences. Played and excelled together for the same IPL team. They have sorted whatever issues they have.” BCA chief executive Shishir Hattangadi told to ESPN Cricinfo.
"While we are hopeful of Hooda's return, we can't say for sure, because from a cricketing perspective, it was Rajasthan who opened their doors for him when he needed a team. From our side, we're making an effort. We'll have to wait for a final call." He added.