Ambati Rayudu to represent and lead Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy

Concluding an erratic but triumphant IPL season, Ambati Rayudu looks to be heading back to Hyderabad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. The Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper looks upbeat on his homecoming, given that Hyderabad is back in Group A after a brilliant performance in Ranji last season. Rayudu, who has been plagued by injuries will now shift his focus to the Ranji season and is also likely to captain the Hyderabad side.

He had earlier left Hyderabad in 2011 to play for Baroda and then represented Vidarbha. Reports have confirmed on Wednesday that the 31-year-old is only left with the formalities. He has applied for a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from Vidarbha after the HCA officials reportedly initiated the efforts to bring him back to his home state. The others on the radar include left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha who moved over to Bengal a couple of seasons ago.

Plan to bring back Ojha

In an interview last month, HCA Secretary T Seshnarayan was quoted by the PTI as saying, “Pragyan and Rayudu are our boys. After taking charge, we have already approached both of them that we want them back.”

“They are our sons and they should now come back ‘home’. They left for different reasons. Although there’s some way to go, I have received positive vibes,”

During his stint in Baroda, Rayudu has produced some brilliant knocks for the Rest of India and West Zone in the Irani Cup and Deodhar Trophy, respectively. The right-hander averaged at 45 across six seasons with Baroda, However, after transferring to Vidarbha in the 2016/17 season, he saw limited match time due to incurring a knee injury.

Thus, Rayudu’s can be dubbed as beneficial for both parties, in the sense that Rayudu can work on finding his top form, while Hyderabad can focus on becoming more competitive upon their return to the A group.