Arjun Yadav, Ambati Rayudu to lead together after their ugly spat

The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has roped in Arjun Yadav as the interim coach for the senior team for the scheduled practice match against Vidarbha. The decision of appointing the same has given birth to a lot of questions.

Arjun Yadav’s appointment was taken under the scanner because of his not so good relation with Ambati Rayudu who is expected to lead the side in the match. However, Rayudu is also a part of the India Cements team in a local league which is managed by Arjun Yadav.

Background:

The two individuals were involved in a intensified clash during the Ranji Trophy match between Andhra and Hyderabad at Anantapur in the 2006-07 season. While Ambati Rayudu was in the Andhra side that season a news paper headline read “Not long ago they had a mid-field spat and kicked up a storm, now as Ambati Rayudu returns to lead Hyderabad, Arjun Yadav is the Coach!”.

Rayudu returned to play for Hyderabad before he and seven other Hyderabad cricketers played in the ICL which has now been terminated. Rayudu was subsequently banned by BCCI and it was invalidated a couple of years later. He then went on to represent Baroda in 2009-10 after making his debut with Mumbai Indians in IPL in 2009. He was a part of the West Zone team all these years before playing for Vidarbha in the last season. Rayudu has since returned to Hyderabad this season.

HCA secretary T Shesh Narayan pointed out that the Anantapur incident does not have any value now. “It is history. Things have moved on and both are matured cricketers now,’’ he said.

According to Shesh Narayan, Arjun Yadav will be in charge of the team for only two matches. “We thought since he was the coach of the under-25 team since last two years, he was the best person to handle the senior side now,’’ he said.

Former cricketers expressed their opinions mentioning that Noel David deserved the opportunity. “He is a former international and even had success with the team when Hyderabad finished runners up in the Butchi Babu tournament in Chennai three years ago. He would have been a better choice. He is also a level 2 coach.’’

Previous coach Bharat Arun has been pulled in by Ravi Shastri as his bowling coach for the national team. The men in contention to take up the Hyderabad job are Abhey Kuruvilla, Arun Kumar, Robin Singh and Sunil Joshi.