Ambati Rayudu

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Rayudu began his first-class career with Hyderabad in 2002 at the age of 16 and, by the following year, was playing for India A. He captained the India Under-19 team at the 2004 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and was expected to break into the senior team. Disputes with players and state association, followed by signing up with the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League, led to him being ignored for national team selection. He returned to domestic cricket in 2009 by accepting BCCI's amnesty offer and terminating his ICL contract. After strong performances for Baroda in domestic cricket and Mumbai Indians in the IPL, he was named in the Indian squad for the first time in 2012. He eventually made his international debut in July 2013, in an ODI against Zimbabwe.

In Their Own Story

On 24 July 2013, the humid night in Zimbabwe set the stage for Rayudu's long-awaited international debut. Selected as a replacement in a second-string squad, he stepped up when Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ruled out of the preceding tri-series. Batting at his customary spot, Rayudu formed a crucial partnership with captain Virat Kohli, who scored a century. Rayudu remained unbeaten on 63*, guiding India to victory and becoming only the 12th Indian batsman to score a half-century on ODI debut. This moment capped years of domestic excellence, including his record-breaking 210 and 159 not out against Andhra in the same Ranji Trophy match as a teenager. His career saw him navigate controversies, including a brief stint with the YSR Congress Party for just nine days before joining Jana Sena on 10 January 2024.

Reader's Guide

Rayudu was born on 23 September 1985 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India. His father Sambasiva Rao worked at the archives department. Rayudu's father took him to the cricket academy of former Hyderabad cricketer Vijay Paul in 1992. Rayudu began his career playing for Hyderabad youth teams in the late-90s. He made his first-class debut for Hyderabad in January 2002, at the age of 16. He captained India Under-19s to the title at the Asia Under-19 tournament. He captained the Indian team at the 2004 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh where India finished as semifinalists. He was banned for the semifinal against Pakistan for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct in the previous match. Due to differences with the then Hyderabad coach Rajesh Yadav, Rayudu switched to Andhra for the 2005–06 season. He returned to Hyderabad the following season after Vivek Jaisimha took over as the team's coach. Midway through 2007, the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League (ICL) was formed. In August 2007, it was reported that Rayudu and six other players from Hyderabad had already signed up for the ICL. In 2009, the BCCI granted amnesty to 79 Indian players in the ICL, including Rayudu, allowing them to come back to Indian domestic cricket. In early 2010, he was signed up by the Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2010 Indian Premier League. Before the 2010–11 season, Rayudu decided to play for Baroda after Hyderabad got relegated to the Plate Division of Ranji Trophy. After being dropped from Indian squad for the 2019 ICC World Cup, Rayudu got an offer from Iceland cricket board to join Iceland team which he declined. On 2 July 2019, he announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. On 28 May 2023, he announced his retirement from the IPL. On 29 May 2023, Rayudu announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. Shortly after, in June 2023, Rayudu was added to the roster for the Texas Super Kings in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket. In 2023, he announced his foray into politics in Andhra Pradesh. On 28 December 2023, he joined YSR Congress Party, but left on 6 January 2024, in a record 9 days. On 10 January 2024, he joined the Jana Sena Party.

Did You Know?

• Rayudu is the only player other than Rohit Sharma to win the IPL trophy six times.
• He was banned from the 2004 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup semifinal against Pakistan for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.
• Rayudu declined an offer from the Iceland cricket board to join the Iceland team in 2019.
• He joined the YSR Congress Party on 28 December 2023 and left on 6 January 2024, a record 9 days.