The Indian cricket team granted Ambati Rayudu multiple chances to bat in the middle order before the 2019 ODI World Cup and his performance was acceptable. Despite showing good performance as the right-handed batter Rayudu did not make it to the squad because the selectors believed Vijay Shankar’s all-round abilities were better suited for the team. At that time Virat Kohli led the Indian team as captain.
Robin Uthappa had previously discussed Virat Kohli’s preferences earlier this year. Rayudu has now addressed the remarks made by the former India opener and clarified his position on the matter. He expressed his opinions about Kohli’s leadership as well.
“If Virat Kohli didn’t like anyone, he didn’t feel someone was good, then they were cut. (Ambati) Rayudu is the prime example. You feel bad. Everybody has preferences, I agree, but you cannot close the door on a player after taking him to the cusp,” Uthappa had said speaking to Lallantop.
“He had World Cup clothes and a World Cup kit bag; everything was there at his home. A player would be thinking that he is going to the World Cup. But you shut the door on him. That wasn’t fair according to me.”
Robin Uthappa
However, Rayudu acknowledged that throughout his time as captain, Kohli provided him with numerous opportunities. The former Hyderabad batsman acknowledged that Kohli was not always a good leader, He said.
“What Uthappa was trying to say is that Kohli has strong likes and dislikes. But in my case, Kohli was the one who backed me. He liked me. Under his captaincy, I played many games for India. He was the one who brought me into the team. He understands the struggle because he is also from a humble background. He has played tremendous cricket,” Rayudu clarified, speaking on the Raw Talks podcast.
Ambati Rayudu
“His leadership sometimes was found wanting, which everyone knows. What Uthappa mentioned was that during his captaincy, he made mistakes. It’s not about preferences, but it’s about logic.”
Ambati Rayudu
I don’t think it was personal: Ambati Rayudu
During that time, MSK Prasad served as the top selector and Ravi Shastri as the head coach, while Kohli was captain. According to Rayudu, the team decided to select Shankar instead of him in the hopes that it would help the team as a whole. The former cricket player who is now a broadcaster believes that his absence was due to no personal grudge.
“I won’t say Kohli or Ravi Shastri or MSK Prasad took the call. It was a collective decision. They thought something else would be better for their team. But I don’t think it was personal.”
Ambati Rayudu
