Rayudu and Arjun have moved on from 2006 tiff

Ambati Rayudu and Arjun Yadav were involved in a serious ‘duel’ on the cricket field when Rayudu was representing Andhra and Arjun leading Hyderabad in a Ranji game in Anantapur in 2006.

Hyderabad coach Arjun Yadav and captain Ambati Rayudu at a training session.

Forget the past, look ahead.

Well, this is the message from the exciting stroke-maker Ambati Rayudu, who will be leading Hyderabad in the upcoming season, and his coach and former Ranji teammate N. Arjun Yadav.

The two were involved in a heated argument on the cricket field when Rayudu was representing Andhra and Arjun leading Hyderabad in a Ranji game in Anantapur in 2006.

“That is past. It is fantastic to be back with Hyderabad team. Let us look what is good for the team now. There is tremendous talent and our objective is to win the Ranji Trophy this season,” said a confident Rayudu to Sportstar after a long session at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium indoor nets here on Friday morning.

“It is a fresh start to my career back home. Remember, the circumstances were different when I left Hyderabad. And, not because the team was in Plate Group then. Either way, I will have to play my cricket,” Rayudu said. “In fact, I feel it is easier to win Ranji Trophy coming through the Plate Group than being in the Elite Group.”

“It is great Hyderabad has had a wonderful campaign last season. But, it is a different ball game altogether now. We have to raise the bar as it will be real challenge this season with all the stronger teams there in our group,” he said.

“Arjun Bhai is a great source of strength. In fact, we both of us have seen the highs and lows of Hyderabad cricket in the last few years. So, we are determined to script a new chapter,” said Rayudu.

He even feels that he would like Arjun to be the coach for the entire season and not just for the two, four-day practice games against Vidarbha. “Though, the HCA top brass takes a final call, I think the team will benefit immensely from his experience,” he said.

Arjun feels that Hyderabad badly needed someone like Rayudu in the team, especially in the middle-order. “He brings in the kind of experience from which even I can learn. I believe the team benefits a lot from his presence, especially the young players,” he said.

“We were young then (referring to the brawl). Past is past. More mature and responsible now. And, time to think of what is good for Hyderabad cricket,” Arjun said.