Ambati Rayudu, the India limited-overs batsman, has decided to end his prolonged career with Baroda and move on to play for a new team ahead of the forthcoming domestic season. Rayudu is understood to be close to signing up for Vidarbha to occupy the spot vacated by S. Badrinath, who has been released to his home state of Tamil Nadu.
“He has been an excellent professional for the last six years. Since he wanted to move on and seek a different challenge, we respected his desire and issued him an NOC (no objection certificate),” Snehal Parikh, joint secretary of Baroda Cricket Association, told Sportstar . “We will never hinder a player’s development and wish him all the success in his future endeavours.”
While a Vidarbha Cricket Association official confirmed that it is 'in touch with' the stylish batsman from Hyderabad, he said Rayudu’s signing is not yet confirmed.
'One of the contenders'
“We haven’t yet penned down the contract, so it would be premature to comment officially about it. He is definitely one of the contenders for the slot open for the third professional,” he said, preferring anonymity.
After returning to the BCCI fold in 2009 from a two-year association with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League, Rayudu represented his home team Hyderabad for a season. In the next year, soon after signing for Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians, Rayudu switched allegiance to Baroda in domestic cricket. In the six seasons with the western Indian team, he scored 2010 first-class runs, his highest for any team, at an average of 49.02.
Rayudu’s addition will further bolster Vidarbha’s batting line-up. Despite losing Badrinath’s services, Vidarbha boasts of imports Wasim Jaffer and Ganesh Satish. The professionals have played a major role in helping Vidarbha make the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal for the last two seasons.
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