Ambati Rayudu concluded his IPL journey on a triumphant note, clinching his sixth title and third for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). While Rayudu’s international career fell short of expectations, his contributions during the 2019 World Cup build-up showcased his potential as a No. 4 batsman for India.
Between September 2018 and March 2019, Rayudu emerged as the solution to India’s long-standing No. 4 conundrum. Following an impressive IPL 2018 campaign, where he amassed 602 runs, Rayudu played 21 ODIs, scoring 639 runs, including a century and four fifties.
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However, when the squad for the World Cup in England was announced, Rayudu’s name was surprisingly omitted. KL Rahul was chosen as the preferred No. 4, while all-rounder Vijay Shankar was included based on his IPL performances—a decision that unraveled as the tournament progressed.
Anil Kumble, the former India coach and bowling legend, believes it was a glaring error to exclude Rayudu. Kumble considers it a major oversight on the part of then-captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri, as Rayudu had been specifically groomed for the No. 4 role for six months.
“Rayudu should have played the 2019 World Cup. Oh yes, there’s no doubt about it. It was a huge blunder. You prepared him for that role for so long, and his name just disappears from the squad. It was surprising nonetheless,” Anil Kumble expressed during a rain-delayed IPL 2023 final, as he spoke on Jio Cinema.
Rayudu’s omission had far-reaching consequences. Expressing his discontent with the decision, he posted a controversial tweet, stating, “Just ordered a new set of 3D glasses to watch the World Cup.” The tweet was in response to ex-chief selector MSK Prasad’s comment referring to Vijay Shankar as a “3D player.”
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Amidst India’s World Cup campaign, Rayudu briefly announced his retirement before reconsidering. Unfortunately, he never donned the Indian jersey again, leaving behind a mysterious and unfulfilled end to his international career.
