Middle order batsman Ambati Rayudu has informed the BCCI of his retirement from all forms of cricket, media reports said on Wednesday. Rayudu was listed in the reserves for the Indian team prior to the World Cup. Rayudu had been a reliable No 4 batsman in ODIs and was considered a 'shoo-in' for the World Cup.
Rayudu did not provide a reason for his retirement in the middle of the World Cup. However, his name was overlooked twice as Rishabh Pant and Mayank Agarwal were drafted in to cover for injuries to Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar, respectively. Both Pant and Agarwal have lesser experience than Rayudu in ODI cricket.
Rayudu had made headlines with his performances during an under-19 tour of England in 2002. However, Rayudu made his ODI debut at the relatively older age of 28 against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2013.
Rayudu was a reliable performer for India, averaging 47 with the bat. He scored a total of 1,694 runs in 55 matches, with three centuries and 10 fifties. He last played for India in an ODI match against Australia in Ranchi in March.
