Ambati Rayudu takes a U-turn on retirement, expresses desire to play IPL and at national level

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has apparently taken a U-turn on his call to hang up boots from the game. Rayudu, who had made a shocking exit from the game after being overlooked for the World Cup, has expressed his wish to play the IPL and represent India once again.

In an interview with Sportstar, the man from Andhra Pradesh said that his call to retire from international cricket was not an emotional one. "Not really an emotional decision. No. I mean I had worked a lot for the World Cup for four to five years. Obviously, you will be a bit disappointed. But I had thought maybe it was time, not because it was rejection or emotion, but you work towards something and maybe then you want something else," Rayudu was quoted as saying.

Sharing that he is eager to make a comeback to competitive cricket, the right-handed batsman said, "I would prepare well to come back to white-ball cricket as soon as possible. I love the game, obviously. See ambition and targets are one thing but it still is the game I love. It is about playing cricket." Adding that he is looking to work on his fitness, the 33-year-old expressed his desire to play at the national level and said that no one would refuse an offer to represent Team India.

Shedding light on his IPL plans, Rayudu shared that his franchise, Chennai Super Kings has always been supportive. Stating that he would definitely play the IPL, the cricketer hoped to prepare well ahead of the tournament.

Ambati Rayudu had represented India in 55 ODIs before announcing his retirement in July this year. Despite being named in the reserves for India's World Cup quest, Rayudu was not named in the 15-man squad after the injuries to Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar. Dejected with this, Rayudu stepped away from the sport to draw curtains on his career at a relatively younger age.