Ex-Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu recently made highlight of his retirement from ODI cricket, a subject that generated a lot of controversy in 2019-20. He retired in 2019 after being omitted from India's World Cup team twice.

He was initially not added to the 15-man roster for the World Cup in 2019. Subsequently, when Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar got injured, selectors picked Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal ahead of him. Disappointed by this, Rayudu chose to retire from international cricket.

Ambati Rayudu's Cricket Journey

Rayudu came to be recognized initially as the skipper of India's Under-19 side during the 2004 World Cup. His teammates were future greats such as Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, and Robin Uthappa. He however waited nearly a decade to represent India.

He made his first ODI in 2013 against Zimbabwe but rose to prominence during India's tour of England in 2014. His consistent performances earned him a spot in the team. Even though he was selected for the 2015 World Cup, he did not get to feature in any of the matches.

Though he was in and out of the Indian team he did well in domestic cricket and the IPL. He was a key player for Mumbai Indians, winning championships with them in 2013, 2015, and 2017 before shifting his base to Chennai Super Kings in 2018.

Rayudu on why he retired so early 🤣#TimeOut pic.twitter.com/rbUX92Bhba

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 27, 2025

ALSO SEE: IPL 2025: Updated Points Table Standings, After 7th match RR vs KKR

2019 World Cup Snub and Retirement

Rayudu was a major contributor to CSK's 2018 IPL title, with 602 runs in the season. He earned a place in India's Asia Cup team and the West Indies series on the basis of his performance. But he didn't perform well against Australia and lost his spot in the 2019 World Cup team and hence his international career.

He ended his ODI career with 1,694 runs in 55 matches at a stunning average of 47.06. He also had three centuries and ten fifties to his name. He, however, featured in just six T20Is, making 42 runs, and never had the opportunity to play Test cricket.

Rayudu's Funny Reply to a Fan

During ESPNCricinfo’s Time Out show, a fan from Bihar asked Rayudu why he retired early despite having good stats. The fan also said he wanted to meet him.

Rayudu humorously responded that it would take an entire week to tell the entire story, leaving everyone in splits. He has, over time, suggested that Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri, and MSK Prasad were involved in his not being picked for the 2019 World Cup team.