Ambati Rayudu to represent Andhra in upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally decided to host the delayed Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2021 from January 10 to 31. The whole tournament will be played in a bio-secure bubble across six different states. According to reports, India’s swashbuckling batsman Ambati Rayudu is all set to represent Andhra in the upcoming edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Notably, Rayadu was previously associated with Hyderabad. However, he had opted out of the Ranji Trophy season last year and accused Hyderabad Cricket Association of doing politics. Additionally, he had also criticized HCA for continuing with Arjun Yadav as the coach after a disastrous 2019-20 Ranji season, where they lost six of their seven games.

This would not be the first time that Ambati Rayudu will be playing for Andhra. He had represented the state in 2005-06 season when the infamous scuffle broke out between him and Arjun Yadav. According to Telangana Today, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) will officially announce the signing of the right-hander in a day or two. Also, he has obtained the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from BCCI to participate in the domestic competition.

Ambati Rayudu bid farewell to international circuit in June 2019

Ambati had announced his retirement from cricket in June 2019 after not getting picked in the Indian squad for ICC World Cup 2019 but decided against his decision in August and returned back to the game of cricket.

As far as the domestic tournament is concerned, all the players are requested to assemble at their respective hubs by January 2, 2021. Also the final of the league will be played on January 21.

“After having gone through your responses and in accordance with the feedback received, I am pleased to inform you that BCCI is planning to start the domestic season 2020-21 with the scheduling of the T20 tournament for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

“By Saturday, January 2, 2021, teams will have to assemble in their respective hub. From Sunday, January 10, 2021, tournament will start and the final will be played on January 21, 2021,” read the E-Mail written by BCCI secretary Jay Shah to the State Associations about the domestic cricket for 2020-21 season getting underway.