Former Indian batter Ambati Rayudu has withdrawn his name from the Texas Super Kings (TSK) squad for the first season stating "personal reasons." The action comes following rumours that the Indian Cricket Board may shortly implement a "cooling-off" period to prevent cricketers from instantly entering the T20 leagues after retiring.
Rayudu, who retired from all forms of cricket after winning the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), was scheduled to play in the MLC's debut season. Rayudu was scheduled to become the first Indian international to play in MLC, joining Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner of New Zealand, as well as Dwayne Bravo and David Miller of Texas.
Ambati Rayudu will not be available to participate: Texas Super Kings
A statement by the franchise stated, "Ambati Rayudu will not be available to participate in the first season of the MLC with Texas Super Kings due to personal reasons. TSK, which is the sister franchise of Chennai Super Kings, Rayudu's last team in the IPL.He will continue to cheer for the team from India."
The Texas Super Kings are controlled by the same people who own the Chennai Super Kings franchise, and they will kick off their MLC 2023 season against the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Grand Prairie in Texas.
He has been an indelible part of the tournament's legacy throughout the years. The former Indian batter was a member of the Mumbai Indians team that won their maiden title in 2013. When CSK won their third title after a two-year ban, he scored over 600 runs.
After winning his sixth IPL title with Chennai Super Kings in 2023, Rayudu declared his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. Rayudu appeared in 16 matches and scored 158 runs this season, mostly as an Impact Player.
Rayudu made his India debut in 2013 and has since played 55 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and six T20Is. In the first-class format of the game, the Andhra Pradesh cricketer scored 1694 runs, including three hundred. Rayudu represented India in the 2004 U19 World Cup and was expected to become a main player of the Indian senior national side.
Here's how fans reacted
Which is this one for Texas Super Kings.
β Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 7, 2023
When you retire to play in other foreign leagues and BCCI comes out of retirement for you.
β The Contest Guy (@BoliMocr) July 8, 2023
What is this Rayudu garuuuuu, we were hoping to see you in Texas
β Pichaa Paati (@Pichaa_paati) July 7, 2023
another U turn ππ
β Sultan Khan (@MainHoonSultan7) July 7, 2023
*political reasons
β KΓ±oΓ§kΓΓΉt. (@SusanooUTS) July 7, 2023
or due to bcci cooling period?
β Saturday π (@TweetECricket) July 7, 2023
Due to political reasons.
β @ (@RegardsPKFan) July 8, 2023
Not personal reasons.
He is trying to impress India richest CM to get MLA ticket.
Bcci stopped him saaf saaf bol
β Sergio Marquina (@viratified_king) July 7, 2023
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