Ambati Rayudu retires from the longer version of the game

India’s ODI number 4 Ambati Rayudu has decided to call it time on his days’ cricket career. The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) confirmed today. Rayudu who was included in the Indian team for the Asia Cup and the recently concluded Windies ODI series impressed with his abilities and thus has sealed a spot for himself. He is well set to feature in the Indian team when they fly to England for the World Cup next year.

Rayudu thus wants to focus on his limited-overs career and has decided to retire from multi-day cricket. He will not be featuring in the Hyderabad side during the ongoing Ranji Trophy season. The HCA made this announcement on his behalf and also thanked the BCCI, HCA, ACA, BCA and VC all the associations he represented in his first-class career.

A HCA press release read: “Hyderabad Captain and Member of India ODI team has decided to retire from longer version of the game including Ranji Trophy (multi-day) to focus on limited overs cricket and T20 cricket. He will continue to play international and domestic matches of shorter version. He has thanked BCCI, Hyderabad Cricket Association, Andhra Cricket Association, Baroda Cricket Association and Vidhrabha Cricket.”

Rayudu’s latest innings at international level

Rayudu resurrected his international career after a magnificent Indian Premier League (IPL) season where he represented the champions Chennai Super Kings. His skipper there MS Dhoni realized his importance in the batting order and pushed him higher up. Rayudu would either open or bat at 3 and 4 where he got maximum opportunity to make a difference and he did. He also ended up as the highest run-scorer for the team in the season.

As a result, the Hyderabadi was included in the Indian ODI team for the tour of England. However, there was a twist in the tale, he failed to clear the yo-yo fitness test and was replaced by Suresh Raina. The fact that Raina couldn’t make a lasting impact and the team’s unending search for a stable number 4 option brought him back in contention and this time Rayudu grabbed it with both hands.

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