Ambati Rayudu has decided to withdraw from the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC), citing personal reasons. Rayudu, who recently retired from all forms of Indian cricket, was set to represent the Texas Super Kings, the sister franchise of the Chennai Super Kings in the MLC. The team confirmed Rayudu’s withdrawal in a statement on Twitter, stating that he will continue to support the team from India.
The announcement coincided with a significant development from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI stated that it will be formulating a policy regarding the participation of players, including retired players, in overseas T20 leagues. This decision was taken during the BCCI Apex meeting in Mumbai, where several other decisions were made.
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According to reports, the BCCI is considering implementing a cooling-off period for retired players before they can participate in other tournaments. Meanwhile, the Texas Super Kings, a franchise based in Dallas, will be led by South African cricketer Faf du Plessis during the inaugural MLC. The team boasts a star-studded lineup featuring players such as David Miller, Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, and Dwayne Bravo, among others.
Ambati Rayudu will miss the first season of MLC with the Texas Super Kings because of personal reason.#WhistlePodu #MLC23 #Yellove pic.twitter.com/HJBYXrSFC9
— CSK Fans Army™ (@CSKFansArmy) July 7, 2023
The team had previously signed Rusty Theron, Calvin Savage, Lahiru Milantha, Milind Kumar, Sami Aslam, Cameron Stevenson, Cody Chetty, Zia Shahzad, and Saiteja Mukkamalla during the initial draft. Stephen Fleming has been appointed as the head coach, with Eric Simmons and Albie Morkel also part of the support staff.
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Rayudu’s decision to withdraw from the MLC adds to the ongoing discussions surrounding player participation in overseas T20 leagues. With the BCCI’s plan to formulate a policy, the future involvement of retired players in such tournaments will be subject to specific guidelines and regulations.
Despite Rayudu’s absence, the Texas Super Kings will continue their preparations for the MLC, aiming to make a strong impact in the tournament scheduled to begin on July 14.
