Months back, the selectors shocked everyone by not picking Ambati Rayudu in the World Cup squad and went ahead with Vijay Shankar.
When asked about the reason, MSK Prasad said that Vijay Shankar is a 3-dimensional player. This did not go well with Rayudu who tweeted something that went viral on Social Media.
Rayudu later went on to announce his retirement from the international cricket before making a U-turn recently.
Talking about the tweet, Ambati Rayudu said he had no regrets about it. “Not at all,” Rayudu told Cricbuzz when asked about his tweet. “If it comes down to such things…I don’t know how to put it, but I don’t think that would’ve played any part (his World Cup snub). And if it did, I can’t imagine what cricketers must be going through honestly.”
“I was very disappointed,” Rayudu said. “I mean, anyone would be because I had worked so hard for it. I was very prepared for that specific role at No. 4, but maybe their idea of No. 4 might have changed all of a sudden. Maybe they just wanted something else…I’m not too sure.
“It was very disappointing, but I’m sure they must have had some combinations or plans in mind. I was actually very, very prepared for playing the World Cup, to be honest.”
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Rayudu had been India’s preferred No.4 batsman in the lead up to the World Cup but the right-hander went through a dry run in the New Zealand away series and the Australia home series. A below-par IPL did not help his cause either.
“I had actually played quite well (leading into the World Cup). You can’t play well in every match. It’s not possible. It’s just that…I was batting well throughout that phase. I don’t know… I just feel unfortunate to have missed out,” Rayudu added.
Rayudu now is gearing up to represent Hyderabad for the domestic season.
