Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu is a talented cricketer hailing from India, known for his stylish batting and occasional controversies. Throughout his career, Rayudu has faced numerous ups and downs, yet his exceptional run-scoring abilities have solidified his position as one of India’s prominent cricketers.
Ambati Rayudu first caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts in 2002 when, at the young age of 16, he displayed his incredible talent by scoring an unbeaten 177 runs as an opener for India Under-19s during a one-day series in England. This exceptional performance paved his path as India’s rising batting prodigy. Following this success, Rayudu continued to shine during the Ranji Trophy season, including a remarkable double-century and a century for Hyderabad in a match against Andhra Pradesh.
In 2004, Rayudu exhibited his leadership skills by captaining the Indian Under-19 team to the semi-finals of the World Cup held in Bangladesh. However, a disappointing season domestically and disagreements with his Hyderabad coach led him to transfer to Andhra. At the age of 21, his decision to play in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League in 2007 jeopardized his chances of representing India. Fortunately, after accepting the BCCI’s amnesty offer in 2009, he was selected by the Mumbai Indians for the IPL, embarking on a successful journey that lasted until 2017. During this period, Rayudu consistently emerged as one of the team’s top run-scorers and contributed to their three title victories.
Despite his IPL success, Rayudu faced challenges on the national stage. He made his ODI debut for India during an unassuming series in Zimbabwe in 2013, impressing with an unbeaten half-century. However, he failed to secure a spot in the 2015 World Cup squad and was also left out of the World T20 team the following year. After a two-year hiatus, Rayudu made a comeback to the Indian ODI side in 2018, playing in 11 out of the 20 matches and achieving his third ODI century against West Indies. Despite this resurgence, he was unexpectedly excluded from the 2019 World Cup squad, leading to his announced retirement from all cricket. However, he swiftly recanted his decision and resumed his career by captaining Hyderabad in domestic cricket and representing Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, winning two titles with the franchise.
Throughout his career, Rayudu’s IPL performances have consistently overshadowed the inconsistency at the international level. His stylish stroke-play and ability to score quick runs have made him a valuable asset to any team. His career statistics are impressive, featuring a total of 169 ODI appearances with an average of 47.05 and a strike rate of 79.04. In IPL, he has amassed over 4000 runs across 161 matches.
Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu’s journey in cricket has been filled with both accomplishments and controversies. While he may have encountered setbacks along the way, his undeniable talent and ability to bounce back have made him a respected figure in Indian cricket.
