Laxman understands 'heart-broken' Rayudu's decision

India's legendary batsman V.V.S. Laxman felt that retiring Ambati Rayudu still has four to five years of cricket left in him.

Ambati Rayudu announced his retirement from all formats of the game on Wednesday.

Cricketing great V.V.S. Laxman on Wednesday said Ambati Rayudu is one of the most talented cricketers he has seen. Laxman felt that Rayudu, a fellow Hyderabadi, who announced his retirement from all forms of the game, still has four to five more years of the game left in him.

“I can understand the reasoning behind his decision. Sure, he must have been heart-broken. Having scored lot of runs at No. 4 and done well against West Indies and in New Zealand before the series against Aussies (against whom he had a poor run), he would have been expecting to be an automatic choice for the World Cup,” Laxman told Sportstar from the UK. “Since he was the first stand-by, he must have thought of being in England,” he added.

File Photo: V.V.S. Laxman and Ambati Rayudu during their days playing for Hyderabad in the 2004 Ranji Trophy.

 

“I just hope he continues to love the game and has a very successful post-retirement life” Laxman said.

“Well, Rayudu’s career has been dotted with some setbacks like the two injuries before the World Cup. But, I liked the way he fought back every time,” Laxman said.

“Ever since I met him the first time in 2002 after his brilliant century for India under-19 in England, I have been following his career and speaking to him consistently as a well-wisher.

“There has never been any doubt about the kind of potential he had as a cricketer. Well, retirement is always a personal decision and Rayudu must have weighed lot of options before taking the final call,” Laxman said.

“Personally, I feel that he should have played white ball cricket for Hyderabad for four to five years (having retired from first-class cricket last November) and helped the youngsters in the process,” Laxman said.