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Ambati Rayudu takes a U-turn, expresses his eagerness to play for India and IPL again
Former India middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu, who recently announced retirement from all forms of the game, has expressed his eagerness to make a comeback to white-ball cricket.
Rayudu is currently featuring in TNCA one-day league for the V.A. Parthasarathy trophy and is representing Grand Slam in the tournament. While speaking to Sportstar, the 33-year-old confirmed that he is "definitely" open to playing for India and the Indian Premier League (IPL) again. This comes as a surprise after he had called it quits in a letter to the Hyderabad Cricket Association in July this year.
However, the right-hand batsman said the decision to retire wasn't an emotional one but accepted that 2019 World Cup snub was a bit disappointing after having worked so hard for the spot.
"Not really an emotional decision. No. I mean I had worked a lot for the World Cup for four to five years. Obviously, you will be a bit disappointed. But I had thought maybe it was time, not because it was rejection or emotion, but you work towards something and maybe then you want something else.
"I had some time to think about this, so thought might as well come and play some cricket," said Rayudu, who played 55 ODIs for India, scoring 1,694 runs with the help of three hundreds and 10 fifties at an average of 47.05.
Rayudu also revealed that the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been very supportive to him. "I am very happy that CSK has always been very supportive. I would be really happy to prepare well for the IPL and represent CSK. Definitely, I would be playing the IPL," he added.
The Andhra cricketer was in fine touch during Friday's league match at the IIT-Chemplast Ground, smashing a quality score of 47 in 56 deliveries. But will he be open to selection for the national side?
"Of course, who will say no to India?" came the reply from Rayudu.
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