Rayudu to appear for Yo-Yo test in a ‘few weeks’

For now, Ambati Rayudu has been named the mentor of the Junior Super Kings, a team of Under-17 cricketers which will be involved in a quadrangular tournament in north Yorkshire.

Ambati Rayudu with the Junior Super Kings in Chennai on Tuesday.

Little did Ambati Rayudu know that a seemingly routine fitness regime as Yo-Yo test will force him out of the India squad, which he had worked hard to get into after nearly two seasons. He had been named in the 16-man ODI squad for the three-match series while he was in the middle of a prolific IPL season with the bat for Chennai Super Kings.

But having missed out on the England tour, the good news for Rayudu is that he is set to appear for the Yo-Yo test again in a ‘few weeks’.

Rayudu confirmed this during a press conference to mark the departure of Junior Super Kings for a quadrangular series in Yorkshire, where it will take part in Under-17 Twenty20 and ODI tournaments involving three other clubs from Australia, USA and the host club (Pro Coach Yorkshire Cricket Club).

Read: Cannot select players based on a single test, says creator of Yo-Yo test

“I am still working hard to play for India and I’ll be having a test soon... in a few weeks’ time. So, after I pass it, I'll be available for selection again,” said Rayudu on being asked how close he is to completing his India comeback.

For now, Rayudu has been named the mentor of the Junior Super Kings, a team of Under-17 cricketers picked on the basis of their performances in the Inter-School Twenty20 tournament (organised by the Chennai Super Kings) contested by the city and district schools in Tamil Nadu.

Regarding his new role, Rayudu said that he will be able to pass on his experience from his junior cricketing days to the members of the Junior Super Kings squad. He will be with the Junior Super Kings squad during the tournament, which begins on July 9. The youngsters will depart on Thursday (July 5) and return on July 21, with all the matches scheduled to be played at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. The Chennai Super Kings will bear all the expenses involved during the tour, including the travel, accommodation, extra baggage allowance, and more.

About being picked up by CSK at the IPL 2018 auction, Rayudu said, “I was really lucky to be picked by CSK. The freedom the team management give the players to express themselves and (provide) the kind of backing a player should get when he plays cricket are unique of the franchise. I am happy that I experienced it fully with Mahi bhai (M. S. Dhoni), Stephen Fleming, and the team management.”